Addiction to Alcohol/alchohol vs depression

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Expert: - 7/14/2009


Question
Okay - I know it's a toughie, but does one cause the other?  Is one an excuse for the other?  Where do you go first....AA or a therapist?

Answer

Beverley Glazer MA. IC
Hi Ann,

As you know, alcohol and depression can go hand in hand.

Someone can feel depressed and take a few drinks to lighten up. Alcohol, however if the depressant. So although in the beginning you're feeling up, when you drink too much you will feel down.

So what came first, the chicken or the egg? Quite frankly, it doesn't matter.

If you are an alcoholic, AA can be helpful. A therapist can also be helpful, but the therapist should also be experienced in alcohol addiction.

This self test can be helpful to see if you're an alcoholic.

Http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com/alcohol-addiction.html

If this is so, the alcoholism must be addressed first, or jointly with a therapist.

Saying I drank because I'm depressed is not an excuse for anything. Getting drunk is just a temporary solution, and not a very good one because you still have to face the problems the next day -- and creating more problems with alohol.

I hope this answers your question and I regret that you had to wait so long for your answer, because I was on vacation.

Thank you for asking AllExperts

All the best,

Beverley Glazer MA
http://www.,untwist-your-thinking.com

Beverley Glazer

Expertise

I can answer questions on all addictive behaviors: alcohol, drugs, food, compulsive sex, codependency, gambling, compulsive shoplifting etc.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience working in the addiction field. My experience extends to all levels of substance abuse. I've worked in rehabs and detox centers, prisons and half-way houses and have a busy private practice as well as an active website where I can be reached for recovery coaching and consultation. I am a cognitive behavioral therapist, but 12-step programs are an excellent support. When working in the addiction field, there is no cookie-cutter solution. In the recovery field, you witness miracles. That's why I love what I do.

Organizations
NAADAC The Association for Addiction Professionals, CACCF Canadian Addiction Counselors Federation, CCA Canadian Counseling Association, For more information please see: http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com

Education/Credentials
BA Psychology, MA Counseling Psychology, ICADC International Alcohol and Drug Counselor, ICAC International Clinical Addiction Counselor, CGC Certified Gambling Counselor.

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