The human mind is a very complicated thing, and it is very delicate. Any change in the brain’s chemistry can cause serious issues such as the development of depression.

But most people begin to abuse drugs because they already have a pre-existing mental health problem. This is because getting a formal diagnosis for a mental illness can be very difficult for the average person to do. It can sometimes take years of hard work just to get a diagnosis, never mind actual help.

For someone with depression, this may simply be too difficult to do, and they instead turn to a more instant solution in the form of drug abuse.

Stimulant drugs such as cocaine are often used because they make a person feel energised and positive. It is not uncommon for people living with depression to try and use stimulant drugs to elevate their mood and low energy levels just so that they can function.

The problem is that stimulants such as cocaine have very short highs which leads to people using large amounts to continue to feel any effect.

Other people use drugs such as heroin due to the sensation of peace and bliss they can experience. However, heroin is highly addictive and very dangerous to use. Often people struggle with dependency for the rest of their life from just one use.

People try to use drugs to self-medicate their depression as, in many cases, they can numb their pain in the short term. However, what they often don’t realise is that being numb does not necessarily mean they are ok.

Depression is a complete mental illness that, unfortunately, cannot just be cured with the right drug. It instead needs careful management and therapeutic treatments within a private drug and alcohol rehab facility.

 

What Drugs Can Lead to Depression?

The use of certain drugs can lead to the development of depression rather than acting to manage existing mental illness.

Depression is often caused by a chemical imbalance in a person’s brain. Specifically, their brain is unable to produce enough of the feel-good chemicals, dopamine, and serotonin.

Without these chemicals, a person feels tired, like they have no interest or desire to do anything, and they lack the motivation to do even basic self-care.

When a person uses drugs for the first time, their brain experiences a big rush of these feel-good chemicals, and that’s what makes it feel good. So, they do it again to continue to experience these feelings.

The drugs that can cause this include:

  • Heroine
  • Cannabis
  • Cocaine
  • Ecstasy
  • Speed
  • Magic mushrooms

However, as time goes on, their brains will get used to the higher levels of dopamine and consider its new base setting. It will then take more and more drugs to experience the same rush as you once had.

The danger comes from how, when you are not taking drugs, your dopamine and serotonin levels will be much lower, and your brain will be unable to produce the amount you now need. This causes you to experience depression.

 

Cocaine is a very powerful drug that causes a very powerful but short-lived high.

It can be very, very dangerous for people living with depression to take cocaine as it can cause feelings of courage and take away their impulse control which may lead them to attempt to take their own life.

Cocaine also has a very long comedown time that can seriously heighten the effects of a person’s depression. It can leave people unable to function for days as their depression is simply making it too difficult to get out of bed.

Cocaine can make a person feel as though they are full of energy, but, all they are is manic. And a manic episode will always be followed by a destructive depressive episode.

Cocaine is commonly used by people with depression because it is so good at relieving the effects of the condition for a short amount of time. But it is just making things worse in the long run.

Cocaine will only make depression worse and open people up to more health problems such as:

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart problems
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Breathing difficulty

People need real drug rehab treatment to deal with their depression and potentially various other mental health problems. The drugs provide temporary relief from a condition that will just get worse.

 

What Support is Available for Coping with Depression in Relation to Drugs

The best thing you can do if you are struggling with depression and drug abuse is to book yourself into a drug rehab centre.

In a rehabilitation centre, you will be able to receive treatment that is designed to help you deal with the physical drug addiction and the mental symptoms of depression.

You will be able to work with a therapist to start the process of a formal diagnosis for depression and receive treatment for it and your drug use in the meantime. In addition, it will give you a safe and welcoming place to get the help that you need.

It can be difficult to take the first step and commit yourself to the work ahead of you. Especially if you are living with depression.

But at Ocean Recovery, we are here to make this as easy on you as possible. We are here to offer you the support that you need to change your life for the better and finally get your depression and drug abuse under control so that you can live the full life that you deserve.

 

Contact Us

If you are ready to begin your journey to recovery, then we at Ocean Recovery are ready to help you.

All you need to do is give us a call at 0800 880 7596 and let us handle the rest. Alternatively, you can contact us online to enquire.

 

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: August 31, 2022

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.