Researchers Identify Role of Key Brain Signaling Protein in Alcohol Use Disorder
January 29, 2021
Substance abuse can sometimes be an attempt to self-medicate an issue such as anxiety or depression. Often, they occur so closely together it is hard to distinguish which came first. Like the chicken or the egg, did the substance abuse cause anxiety or depression or did the depression and anxiety lead to substance abuse?
That question might be hard to answer. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “About 20 percent of Americans with an anxiety or mood disorder such as depression have an alcohol or other substance use disorder, and about 20 percent of those with an alcohol or substance use disorder also have an anxiety or mood disorder.”
The National Institute of Mental Health explains that “occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. You might worry about things like health, money, or family problems. But people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) feel extremely worried or feel nervous about these and other things—even when there is little or no reason to worry about them. People with GAD find it difficult to control their anxiety and stay focused on daily tasks.”
In today’s world with news media bombardment of constantly updated information on COVID-19 infections, job loss, homeschooling, restricted travel, and economic upheaval, anxiety and depression becomes even more common.
As anxiety and depression increase, so does the use of prescription anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia medications and alcohol consumption. On May 26, 2020, MarketWatch reported that anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia medication prescriptions had spiked 34% during the coronavirus pandemic.
On June 10, 2020, the Miami Herald reported that alcohol sales had increased 27% over the past three months and that over the Memorial Day weekend, Americans spent over a billion dollars on beer.
With the increased use of legal prescriptions and alcohol, so does the likelihood of addiction.
It is fair to assume that following the increase in sales of legal prescriptions and alcohol, that the use of illegal substances may have increased as well. Those increases can also raise the risk of addiction.
These spikes in medication and alcohol use, as well as possibly illegal substances, will, in all probability, create an increase in the number of people dealing not only with their anxiety, depression and sleep issues, but also with addiction. These problems could more quickly be addressed if the guidelines issued by the Surgeon General are followed that “encourages screening for substance misuse in health care settings including primary, psychiatric, urgent, and emergency care as a first step to identifying behaviors that put individuals at risk for harms, including for developing a substance use disorder, and to identify patients with existing substance use disorders. Screening and brief intervention for alcohol in adults has been shown to be effective; and screening for substance use and mental health problems is recommended by major health organizations for both adults and adolescents.”
For those people dealing with substance abuse issues, regardless of whether it is linked to anxiety and/or depression, help is available. Substance abuse treatment can vary according to the severity and length of time of the addiction, in addition to other variables. In other words, substance abuse treatment should not be one-size-fits all, but instead should fit the needs of the individual person.
For those people dealing with substance abuse issues, regardless of whether it is linked to anxiety and/or depression, help is available.
Gulf Breeze Recovery has a history of helping people achieve freedom from addiction. Every guest is evaluated to find the best treatment protocol to fit their specific needs. The overall goal for every participant is long-term sobriety. If you or someone you care about, has an ongoing history or a recent issue with alcohol or substance use and/or relapse, contact Gulf Breeze Recovery at: 833.551.23560 to speak to an addiction expert to learn more about their residential program, out-patient program, and intensive out-patient program, and which of these can best fit your needs. These programs have helped many people overcome their addiction and embrace their new happy, healthy, substance-free lifestyle.
We help people not just to survive, but to THRIVE!
Substance abuse can sometimes be an attempt to self-medicate anxiety or depression.
Substance abuse can sometimes be an attempt to self-medicate an issue such as anxiety or depression. Often, they occur so closely together it is hard to distinguish which came first. Like the chicken or the egg, did the substance abuse cause anxiety or depression or did the depression and anxiety lead to substance abuse?
That question might be hard to answer. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “About 20 percent of Americans with an anxiety or mood disorder such as depression have an alcohol or other substance use disorder, and about 20 percent of those with an alcohol or substance use disorder also have an anxiety or mood disorder.”
The National Institute of Mental Health explains that “occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. You might worry about things like health, money, or family problems. But people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) feel extremely worried or feel nervous about these and other things—even when there is little or no reason to worry about them. People with GAD find it difficult to control their anxiety and stay focused on daily tasks.”
In today’s world with news media bombardment of constantly updated information on COVID-19 infections, job loss, homeschooling, restricted travel, and economic upheaval, anxiety and depression becomes even more common.
As anxiety and depression increase, so does the use of prescription anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia medications and alcohol consumption. On May 26, 2020, MarketWatch reported that anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia medication prescriptions had spiked 34% during the coronavirus pandemic.
On June 10, 2020, the Miami Herald reported that alcohol sales had increased 27% over the past three months and that over the Memorial Day weekend, Americans spent over a billion dollars on beer.
With the increased use of legal prescriptions and alcohol, so does the likelihood of addiction.
It is fair to assume that following the increase in sales of legal prescriptions and alcohol, that the use of illegal substances may have increased as well. Those increases can also raise the risk of addiction.
These spikes in medication and alcohol use, as well as possibly illegal substances, will, in all probability, create an increase in the number of people dealing not only with their anxiety, depression and sleep issues, but also with addiction. These problems could more quickly be addressed if the guidelines issued by the Surgeon General are followed that “encourages screening for substance misuse in health care settings including primary, psychiatric, urgent, and emergency care as a first step to identifying behaviors that put individuals at risk for harms, including for developing a substance use disorder, and to identify patients with existing substance use disorders. Screening and brief intervention for alcohol in adults has been shown to be effective; and screening for substance use and mental health problems is recommended by major health organizations for both adults and adolescents.”
For those people dealing with substance abuse issues, regardless of whether it is linked to anxiety and/or depression, help is available. Substance abuse treatment can vary according to the severity and length of time of the addiction, in addition to other variables. In other words, substance abuse treatment should not be one-size-fits all, but instead should fit the needs of the individual person.
For those people dealing with substance abuse issues, regardless of whether it is linked to anxiety and/or depression, help is available.
Gulf Breeze Recovery has a history of helping people achieve freedom from addiction. Every guest is evaluated to find the best treatment protocol to fit their specific needs. The overall goal for every participant is long-term sobriety. If you or someone you care about, has an ongoing history or a recent issue with alcohol or substance use and/or relapse, contact Gulf Breeze Recovery at: 833.551.23560 to speak to an addiction expert to learn more about their residential program, out-patient program, and intensive out-patient program, and which of these can best fit your needs. These programs have helped many people overcome their addiction and embrace their new happy, healthy, substance-free lifestyle.
We help people not just to survive, but to THRIVE!
About Gulf Breeze Recovery:
Gulf Breeze Recovery, unlike other treatment centers in Florida, is a non 12 step holistic drug and alcohol rehab that is changing the future of addiction treatment with their THRIVE® (Total Health Recovery) program focused on overcoming chronic relapse.
Gulf Breeze Recovery’s THRIVE® program is a non 12-step approach designed for those who are looking for a drug and alcohol treatment program to produce a different and positive result.
This non-12 step program allows you to drive beyond your addictions and promotes a new outlook on life.
We are licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, and our last audit scored 99.7! Also, we are gold certified by the Joint Commission.
Want to read more about Gulf Breeze Recovery’s non 12 step, holistic drug and alcohol rehab? Check out some of our latest posts:
End Chronic Relapse and Start a New Life!
At Gulf Breeze Recovery we don’t want you to have just a great recovery, we want you to have a great life!