The Links Between Heroin Abuse and Depression

Substance abuse and mental health disorders often come hand-in-hand. Many people will turn to substances such as heroin to alleviate the ramifications of a mental health disorder such as depression. In contrast, others will develop mental health disorders as their addiction sadly intensifies.

At Cassiobury Court, we provide dual diagnosis treatment to ensure that those co-currently struggling with heroin abuse and depression overcome their addictions and reduce the overall impact that depression has on them.

If you would like to find out more about the links between heroin abuse and depression, we have provided a wealth of information below.

If you are struggling with heroin abuse and depression or know someone who is, we recommend contacting us as soon as possible.  Not only can we provide support and guidance, but we can offer you, or your loved one, a place at our residential rehab for dual diagnosis treatment.

The Side Effects Associated with Heroin Abuse

Although users favour heroin for its quick high, various physical and psychological side effects occur when heroin is abused.

While some of the side effects related to heroin abuse are short-lived, many of the side effects impair an individual’s life for an extended period.

Sadly, those living with heroin addictions will often overlook the side effects that are associated with frequent heroin abuse.  However, it is vital to consider how administering heroin impairs an individual’s life, especially when determining the links between heroin abuse and depression.

Below, we have delved into the physical and psychological side effects associated with heroin abuse.

Physical Side Effects Of Heroin Abuse

Heroin consumption sees various short and long-term physical side effects arise that reduce the quality of an individual’s life.  When considering heroin abuse, common disorders include vascular and respiratory illnesses, a weakened immune system and loss of muscle strength.

Psychological Side Effects of Heroin Abuse

If a chronic heroin dependency is present, the individual struggling will likely develop significant psychological side effects, many of which are irreversible.

The most common psychological side effects of heroin abuse include, but are not limited to the following;

• Heightened levels of anxiety
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Feeling hopeless
• Extreme mood swings
• Poor judgement
• Reduced ability to concentrate
• Memory loss
• Suicidal thoughts

How Heroin Abuse Impair an Individual’s Mental Health

Having reviewed the psychological side effects that heroin consumption has, it is clear to see that heroin abuse gradually decreases an individual’s mental health and wellbeing.

Irrespective of whether an individual has abused heroin for weeks, months or years, consistent consumption increases an individual’s chance of developing depression.  In fact, depression is one of the most common side effects experienced due to heroin abuse.

In addition, as a heroin addiction develops, withdrawal symptoms may be experienced when heroin cannot be administered.  Withdrawal symptoms are often unpleasant and can cause various psychological ramifications to arise as an individual comes down from the high they typically experience upon consuming the drug.

Sadly, these lows reduce the quality of an individual’s life, causing chronic pessimistic thoughts to come to light.

Heroin Abuse and Depression: The Psychological Link

Having understood the psychological side effects of heroin consumption and reviewed how heroin abuse impairs an individual’s mental health, the links between heroin abuse and depression are clear to see.

As increasing amounts of heroin are administered, individuals become more at risk of suffering from chronic depression that ultimately impairs the overall quality of their life.

Therefore, if your abuse heroin, it is highly likely that you will simultaneously struggle with depression.

Treating Heroin Abuse and Depression

With such a significant link between both heroin abuse and depression, treatment must be offered to ensure that individuals can recover from both.  With this in mind, at Cassiobury Court, we provide dual diagnosis treatment to those in need.

Dual diagnosis treatment ensures that our clients can safely detox from heroin and progress through psychological therapy for addiction and mental health disorders.

As a result of the lack of available information surrounding dual diagnosis treatment, many are left under the impression that if they simultaneously struggle with a heroin addiction and depression, there is limited support available to them.

However, this is simply not true. Various treatments can support individuals that require dual diagnosis treatment, including cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational therapy, group counselling, clinical detoxes, wellness classes, family therapy, educational sessions, opiate replacement therapy and suitable prescription medications.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment At Cassiobury Court

At Cassiobury Court, we pride ourselves on providing bespoke treatment programmes to all of our clients.  We understand that if an individual is to make a full recovery, they will require personalised treatment that caters to their addiction and recovery needs.

Considering this, as an individual enters our rehab centre, we firstly conduct an admission assessment to determine the severity of an individual’s addiction and mental health issues.

Should you decide to attend our rehab centre, our team of medical professionals will provide you with a treatment programme upon conducting your admission assessment.  As noted above, this will be entirely bespoke to your addiction and recovery needs.

Although it is difficult to determine the exact treatment you will be offered, you can expect to undergo a combination of both psychological and physical therapy sessions.  Therapy will effectively reduce your side effects while enabling you to uncover the underlying connection between your heroin addiction and depression.

If left untreated, heroin addictions can cause significant mental health issues which are difficult to fully revert. Without seeking addiction treatment, a vicious circle of heroin abuse and depression will continue until support is received or an individual sadly loses their battle.

Contact Cassiobury Court Today

If you have become dependent on heroin and simultaneously suffer from depression, seeking addiction treatment should be a priority.

With this in mind, we would encourage you to contact us to discuss rehabilitation treatment.

While the thought of doing so is daunting, discussing your addiction and mental health disorder with us will enable us to provide you with the treatment that you urgently need.

Should you require medical support, our team of professionals are on hand to provide you with just that.