What is Depression?

Depression is one of the most widespread mental illnesses in the United States- it affects more than 19 million people each year! It causes people to feel empty and lost in the world they live in. They can’t seem to find pleasure in their lives anymore…

It’s hard to tell when someone is truly depressed, as opposed to being upset about something. However, depression reveals itself through the following behaviors:

1. Feeling sad frequently
2. Change in sleeping habits
3. Weight changes (either gain or loss)
4. Loss of energy
5. Inability to think clearly or concentrate
6. Irritability and/or loss of pleasure in normal activities
7. Feelings of guilt or inadequacy
8. Thoughts of death

It is important to remember that depression is a serious condition and should be treated that way. It can be brought on by a variety of things including genetics and stress in a person’s life and is easily treated. Treatment consists of talk therapy or antidepressant medications, or a combination of both, and tends to be rather successful (80% of people that seek treatment see some type of improvement in their condition).

Depression is very common across the nation, yet many individuals go untreated. When the sadness gets to be too much, it is always best to get help.

Sources:
Top 9 Depression Symptoms. About.com 2009
Depression Fact Sheet. Mental Health America 2009

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Symptoms of an Addiction

Sometimes it’s hard to accept the truth about substance abuse, but it is beneficial to know the symptoms and warning signs of someone who is struggling with addiction. The warning signs may be subtle or obvious, but nonetheless it is important to keep an eye out for them. Some of these symptoms include:

• Failure when attempting to stop using a drug
• Spending money on a drug even if you can’t afford to
• Using the drug to “escape from the real world”
• Problems at school or work
• Lack of energy and interest in appearance
• A change in the person’s normal behavior

It’s also important to remember that different drugs affect the body in different ways and not all symptoms will be the same. Some drugs speed up the body and some slow it down, so the person will react accordingly. Catching addiction in the beginning stages can prove to be very helpful in the long run. If you notice early on, it can make the difference between a life-long addiction and recovery.

Sources: Drug Addiction: Symptoms Mayo Health Clinic
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How to Fight the Cravings:

It’s bound to happen that even after time passes, a craving sets in. A craving for whatever your substance of choice is: from a shot of vodka to a handful of percocets- it will happen. But then you have to ask yourself: can I fight the temptation to give in? It is not always the easiest road to take, but for certain it is the best one.

After going through treatment, or going to AA/NA meetings, you may feel like no one can bring you down and that’s great, until reality sets in. Going to old hangouts, or seeing old friends can always trigger the old feelings; sometimes your body even physically craves it without any triggers at all. At this point in recovery, it is important to remember why you chose to quit in the first place and that you can beat the addiction.

Exercise frequently.
Call or meet up with someone you can talk to.
Attend meetings and/or follow a treatment plan.
Be aware that relapses can occur- knowledge is power in this case.

Unfortunately, relapses are very common when battling addiction. It is important for the person recovering, as well as anyone they surround themselves with, to be aware of the risks that will be faced on the long road ahead. Physical cravings are one of the hardest side effects to combat, but in recovery you must be prepared for them to occur. It is possible to beat an addiction if you stay strong and never give in to temptation.

Sources:

More Sources for Dealing With Drug Addiction Cravings (2008). Orchid Recovery Center

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