Alcohol and Depression - My Story

I love your organization and wanted to share my story with you. My hope is that it may be helpful to someone on your page.

I have suffered from a Major Depressive Disorder for the last 23 years. I’ve been through times that were more difficult than others, mostly when I wasn’t taking medication or when my medication was no longer working.

Last October I made my first suicide attempt ever. I had a plan, wrote a note and took pills. I was ready. I didn’t want to exist anymore. The dark hopelessness in my heart and mind was too much to deal with. Much to my disappointment (at that time) I woke up and survived. Over the next few months and the realization that the medication I had taken for over seven years was no longer working, my doctor worked at finding something that would work. About two months ago we found a medication that worked with very few side effects.

Last night I fell into another dark episode and considered a second attempt. My 22 year old son encouraged me to call the crisis line and I did. After talking to the counselor on the other line for a half hour, I was too emotionally and physically tired to think of anything other than sleep.

This wasn’t the first close call while on my new medication. There have been several other times in the last few months. So why am I having all these dark moments, when I believe the new medication is working well? The common denominator in each occurrence has been alcohol. I’ve always drank socially and never seemed to have issues after drinking that I’ve experienced the last few months. What I have come to figure out today is that anything more than one drink has an enormous impact on my depression.

I always knew it wasn’t a good idea to drink while on antidepressants, but had never took the warning that seriously. I realized today that if I want to continue to successfully manage my depression, that I need to stay away from alcohol totally. It’s a risk that I shouldn’t take if I want to continue to be here for my family and friends.

Thanks for all you do!!

Mental Health and the Military

Post-traumatic stress disorder is not the only mental health issue among military veterans and active personnel. What are some other mental health problems and how can we help?

Overview

Although post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prevalent mental health problems among the military veterans and active personnel, it is certainly not the only problem that these heroes can face. PTSD has physical and psychological symptoms such as depression, substance abuse, troubles with memory and cognition, and other physical and mental health problems. PTSD most often occurs after life-threatening event such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults. People suffering from PTSD can face nightmares, flashbacks, sleeping disruption/having trouble going to sleep, and feel emotionally numb.

• Depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders are the most common disorders among the UK armed forces after post-deployment.

• Depression can be defined as sadness, irritability, or low energy. Some symptoms can include having trouble doing everyday tasks or problems in relationship. In the military, depression can be especially troubling if they have lost someone close to them or someone who was in their unit.

• Substance abuse is overindulging or dependence on alcohol or drugs and people who serve in the military are not immune to substance abuse because they face many hardships such as the stress of deployment after a war has ended.

• Anxiety disorders are ways to cope with stress; however, if the anxiety becomes excessive, does not fit the situation, or lasts for long periods of time it can interfere with everyday activities or your relationships with other people.

Reserves veterans are at the greatest risk for these mental health problems, as they do not have as many resources to treat disorders as the regular military does. However, international recognition has greatly increased for “post-conflict dysfunction” within the military and within civilian society. PTSD in ex-service personnel is included in post-conflict dysfunction among other disorders.

Mental Health and Veterans

In regards to the military population, people who have mental health problems are more likely to leave their service prematurely, experience lost work days, and become socially excluded. Evidence suggests that there is a small, but important minority of veterans who leave the service with mental health problems, remain chronically unwell, and are vulnerable to social exclusion, such as a marital breakdown, unemployment, and homelessness.

As shown in recent large-scale studies, the most common mental health problems within veterans after deployment from the Gulf War are depression, anxiety disorders and alcohol misuse/dependence.

The most common mental health problems among veterans include (in order of prevalence):

• Adjustment disorders

• Substance abuse

• Depressive disorders

• Personality disorders

• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Adjustment disorder symptoms among veterans and active personnel can be sadness, anxiety or feelings of being upset after a life changing or traumatic event such as serving in the military during wartime. The US military veterans’ claims for PTSD have greatly increased as the reported cases was 120,265 in 1999, but now have reached 215,871 cases in 2004. Findings from the NVVRS suggest that there are 18.7% symptoms of PTSD in veterans for lifetime prevalence and 15.2% for 12 years after the war. However, the trajectory of most of the veterans suggests that even those with the most severe symptoms have made improvements in their symptoms or in their remission.

With the total costs of treating PTSD drastically rising from Vietnam, veterans are now claiming for “delayed” PTSD. Therefore, PTSD in veterans has become a significant public health problem. There are about 94% of veterans who are seeking mental health concurrently applying for PTSD disability benefits. As far as Iraq and Afghanistan, recent research has shown that there appears to be mental health burdens for those who have served there as well.

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Veterans and active personnel see a lot as they are serving for their country. Whether they are in combat or not, they often witness fellow members get injured or go through near death experiences. It is a lot for a person to go through alone and this is why we need to be here for them. Military members and their families can reach out to their “network of care”, which can include their primary care physician, religious leader, or friends and family. By talking about what they are going through they can receive further help or just talking about it can relieve them of their pain, stress, or anxiety.

There are many resources available to help both veterans and active personnel to become familiar with mental health issues involving with serving in the war zone and what symptoms may occur. For further information, please visit the following links:

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

• Veterans Resources | NAMI

• Veterans Crisis Line

• Mental Health and Related Resources for Assisting Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families | APA

• Veterans’ mental health care guide by SingleCare

Mental Health and the Military was originally published on NoStigmas.org | Redefining Mental Health

Learning Center - NoStigmas.org | Redefining Mental Health

An estimated 23 million people in the U.S. suffer from problems with drugs or alcohol. Only 10 percent of those people receive treatment.

Substance Abuse

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse is the misuse of any substance that interferes with daily functioning, and (in some cases) is different from its intended use. Substances can be either illegal or legal, in the case of prescription or over the counter medications. Substance abuse does not necessarily refer to addiction, but can lead to addiction. Not all people who abuse drugs or alcohol will become addicted, though it is possible.

Substance abuse can happen for a variety of reasons, including experimentation, peer pressure, or to cope with stress. According to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the most commonly abused drugs are:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Marijuana
• Cocaine/Crack
• Heroin
• Hallucinogens, such as PCP, Ecstasy, or LSD
• Inhalants
• Prescription Medications
• Methamphetamines

It is estimated that 23 million people in the U.S. suffer from problems with drugs or alcohol, but only 11 percent of those receive treatment.

What are signs/symptoms of substance abuse?

Every substance has a unique set of symptoms, but there are some common indicators to look out for. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence lists them as:

• Physical and health warning signs of drug abuse
  • Eyes that are bloodshot or pupils that are smaller or larger than normal.
  • Frequent nosebleeds–could be related to snorted drugs (meth or cocaine).
  • Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
  • Seizures without a history of epilepsy.
  • Deterioration in personal grooming or physical appearance.
  • Injuries/accidents and person won’t or can’t tell you how they got hurt.
  • Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
  • Shakes, tremors, incoherent or slurred speech, impaired or unstable coordination.
• Behavioral signs of drug abuse
  • Drop in attendance and performance at work or school; loss of interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies, sports or exercise; decreased motivation.
  • Complaints from co-workers, supervisors, teachers or classmates.
  • Unusual or unexplained need for money or financial problems; borrowing or stealing; missing money or valuables.
  • Silent, withdrawn, engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors.
  • Sudden change in relationships, friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies.
  • Frequently getting into trouble (arguments, fights, accidents, illegal
  • activities).
• Psychological warning signs of drug abuse
  • Unexplained change in personality or attitude.
  • Sudden mood changes, irritability, angry outbursts or laughing at nothing.
  • Periods of unusual hyperactivity or agitation.
  • Lack of motivation; inability to focus, appearing lethargic or “spaced out.”
  • Appearing fearful, withdrawn, anxious, or paranoid, with no apparent
  • reason.

What are the risk factors for substance abuse?

Substance abuse can affect anyone, but there are risk factors that can contribute.

• Family issues/conflicts
  • Relatives who abuse drugs or alcohol
  • Lack of parental supervision/involvement, in the case of children or adolescents
• Other mental or physical illnesses/problems
  • Substance abuse often has high comorbidity rates with other disorders unrelated to the abuse
• Peer Pressure
• Availability
• Economic hardship or distress

What are treatment options for substance abuse?

Treatment for substance abuse varies by substance, person, and whether or not dependency has occurred. Treatment is often long term, and includes counseling and therapy that focus on treating all aspects of the abuse.  are two effective approaches. Other focus areas can include building and/or maintaining support systems, finding effective ways to manage or cope with stress, and lifestyle changes that keep focus on recovery and reduce risk of relapse. To read more about the various types of treatment programs for substance abuse, visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse here.

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Substance Abuse was originally published on NoStigmas.org | Redefining Mental Health