When a person is struggling with an undiagnosed or untreated mental health condition, it is not uncommon for them to self-medicate with alcohol. Drinking alcohol with dinner or at a social gathering is typical for many people. However, when consumed frequently and in abundance, drinking alcohol can quickly become a problem. Alcohol addiction is characterized by uncontrolled drinking and a preoccupation with alcohol. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, it is essential to seek treatment at an addiction treatment facility.
Alcohol addiction causes significant physical and mental side effects. It can be easy to focus only on how alcohol impacts your body, especially because of withdrawal symptoms. However, alcohol can also severely impact your mental and emotional well-being. At Evoke Wellness Ohio, we provide evidence-based treatment and therapy programs to help our patients heal and recover fully. Our alcohol addiction treatment and dual diagnosis treatment center help our patients overcome their alcohol addiction and improve their mental health in a safe, supportive environment. Call 866.430.9267 to learn more.
Understanding Alcohol’s Impact on Mental Health
If you or someone you know is living with alcohol addiction and a co-occurring mental health condition, finding a dual diagnosis treatment program is the most effective form of treatment. A dual diagnosis treatment program understands the ways in which alcohol and mental health impact each other. For example, alcohol is a depressant that can affect your thoughts, feelings, and actions. The more alcohol you consume, the greater the impact is on your mental health and emotional well-being.
Knowing when it is time to seek treatment requires being able to recognize the signs of alcohol addiction. If left untreated, alcohol addiction can lead to significant mental health problems.
Signs of alcohol addiction include:
- Irritability or extreme mood swings
- Isolating from friends or family
- Drinking alone or in secrecy
- Blacking out or having short-term memory loss
- Changes in appearance
- Making excuses to drink
Seeking professional treatment is crucial to being able to recover from alcohol addiction. Quitting alcohol on your own is often ineffective and unsafe.
The Connection Between Alcohol Abuse and Mental Health Disorders
Sometimes an undiagnosed mental health disorder is what causes a person to drink in excess. They are looking to ease the negative emotions they are likely feeling by drinking alcohol. In other cases, people can develop a mental health disorder because of their alcohol addiction. It does not matter which comes first because it is critical to treat both conditions simultaneously. When people receive treatment for alcohol abuse and mental health separately, it is often ineffective and can lead to a relapse. It is essential to address the mental and emotional factors that either lead to alcohol addiction or were a result of their addiction.
Some of the common mental health conditions that commonly occur alongside alcohol addiction are:
- Anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
At Evoke Wellness Ohio, we provide patients with the comprehensive care and support they need to overcome their mental health disorders and alcohol addiction. For many people, an addiction to alcohol and mental health disorder go hand and hand. They can enhance each other in negative ways that make recovery more complicated. Our team understands this and works with patients to create individualized treatment plans that meet their specific treatment and recovery needs.
Discover Alcohol Addiction and Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Evoke Wellness Ohio
We offer many addiction treatment programs to help patients through each stage of their recovery journey. Healing from alcohol addiction and a co-occurring mental health condition requires proper treatment and counseling. If you are looking to start your recovery journey, contact Evoke Wellness Ohio today at 866.430.9267 or by filling out our online form to learn more about how our team can help you.
