Mark Houston Recovery

5 Things to Avoid if You’re Depressed

Sometimes life after drug and alcohol addiction recovery can be extremely difficult. Some people find if extremely difficult to fight the urges they once had with drugs and/or alcohol. Therefore, in an effort to not be tempted into doing drugs again, they remove themselves from situations where there may be drugs and/or alcohol. However, a lot of the time, this means that the person ends up isolating themselves from a lot of people that they care about as well as social situations which could still help to shape them into a stronger person.

Because a person may feel depressed, it may lead them to do drugs or alcohol as a means of soothing whatever feelings or emotions that are taking place. There are many warning signs of drug and alcohol addiction that can take place and which, if you’re a friend of someone who is depressed, you should be on the constant lookout for. Depression affects everyone, not just people who are fighting to remain sober and/or drug free, however. You may have lost a loved one whom you were very close to, or you may be struggling to find a job or get into the college that you want. There are several things you should absolutely avoid if you are feeling depressed so that it doesn’t turn into a bigger problem down the line.

5 Things to Avoid if You’re Feeling Down

1. Isolation: Isolating yourself by cutting of all of your ties to the outside world is one of the worst things you can do IN GENERAL. Even when you’re feeling totally down, don’t take others for granted who only want to help; it’s selfish!
2. Denial: Many people who are depressed are in denial that there is even a problem. At the root of all depression is some feeling of inadequacy or some other mental dilemma. Figure out what the problem is and address it head on.
3. Let the Problem Solve Itself: If you’re upset about something, don’t assume that the problem will solve itself. Not only is this way of thinking lazy, but it points right back to the whole area of denial again. Part of what it takes to be a person of strong, moral character is recognizing that there is a problem and then actually DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Tell a friend, see a psychologist…talk to someone about it!
4. Self Medicate: Automatically relying on sleeping pills or some other forms of anti-depressants is NOT the solution to your problems. All it does is mask whatever problems you’re having. The same goes for drinking alcohol or doing drugs. Sure, you may feel great while you’re doing these things, but you’re still going to wake up from it and be face to face with your issues. This is really risky territory that you’re getting into also because you risk becoming addicted to alcohol and/or drugs.
5. Yourself: If you can’t even look at yourself in the mirror without being critical or feeling bad, then you need to do some serious self examination to figure out why this is the case. Talk to a friend you trust or a professional about ways in which you can increase your confidence. Studies show that those who are more confident and have a positive self-image of themselves are less likely to feel depressed as well as less likely to engage in risky behavior (i.e. drugs and alcohol).

For more information about drug and alcohol rehab as well as the road to recovery, contact Mark Houston Recovery today!

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