When the seasons change, it can cause sadness and isolation and trigger negative emotions. These feelings can add fuel to the proverbial fire if you’re currently handling a substance use disorder. Managing seasonal depression and addiction on your own can feel unbearable, especially if you don’t have a support system around you.
We offer our clients support in their substance use journey and supply comprehensive detox programs and therapies, so you don’t have to work this season alone. Contact our specialists at Serenity House Detox & Recovery today by calling 866.294.5306 for more information.
What Is Seasonal Depression?
Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective depression (SAD), is a major depressive disorder that onsets around the fall season and dissipates at the onset of spring. Most people can expect to feel a little down with the reduced sunlight and decreased activity that the fall and winter seasons bring. However, for those with seasonal depression, it’s more than that.
It can completely disrupt their day-to-day lives and have debilitating effects. Some symptoms include:
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Issues concentrating
- Suicidal thoughts
- Lack of interest
- Issues sleeping
- Irritability
These symptoms, coupled with a history of substance use, can be harmful.
How Seasonal Depression and Addiction May Coincide
When coping with the symptoms of seasonal depression, it can be tempting to self-medicate to feel functional. If you’re feeling down, you may turn to stimulants for energy and keep you alert. On the other hand, you may want to suppress your symptoms with alcohol or other suppressants.
Without realizing it, you can become dependent on these substances to deal with seasonal depression. You may subsequently become addicted or exacerbate an existing addiction. Before this happens, you can identify the problem before it starts. Start by identifying the underlying cause of your depression.
Depression Triggers
Unfortunate circumstances do not always trigger depression. Many people become depressed when things are looking up in their life. Depression happens when there have been physiological, structural, and chemical changes to the brain.
Several things can trigger this change. Here are some common depression triggers:
- Stress
- Grief
- Money problems
- Seasonal changes
By identifying your depression triggers, you can prepare to deal with the symptoms that come along with seasonal depression. Since fall and winter coincide with the holiday season, many things could likely be the case.
Depression and Holidays
Depression and holidays may not seem like they go hand in hand. However, this season of gathering may serve as a reminder of loved ones lost for some people. It’s also stressful as you think about all of the holiday shopping and extra efforts that the season requires. It may also be a reminder of your money troubles, making you feel inadequate. Alternatively, it may be simply the unrealistic expectations of needing to be happy all of the time.
Whatever the reason, the holiday season coupled with the symptoms of seasonal depression can be draining, causing you to turn to substance use for help. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you should seek seasonal depression treatment.
Get Help to Avoid Depression Triggers at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, we offer various behavioral therapy programs to assist you in working through your seasonal depression. Helping you to identify your depression triggers and work through them in a wholesome way is our mission. Our licensed professionals have years of experience in addiction treatment and counseling. So when you visit one of our centers, you can be sure that you will receive the most qualified care.
If you’re struggling with seasonal depression and addiction, reach out to one of the friendly staff members at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida today by calling 866.294.5306.
