How anxiety and depression affect addiction recovery  

April 28, 2025

8:41 am

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For those struggling with depression who feel there is no end in sight, drugs and alcohol may sometimes appear to be an easy solution to their problems. These substances can temporarily subside any emotional pain and bring about a sense of happiness. However, these substances can become addictive. The more you consume, the more dependent your body will become on their effects. Over time, substance abuse can exacerbate symptoms of depression as well as lead to health problems like brain damage down the road. 

Here at Find Me a Rehab we can help you find alcohol addiction rehab treatment as well as drug addiction rehab UK. Call or email for 24-hour addiction help.  

Addiction And Depression 

Living with depression can be incredibly debilitating. Every minute, of every day can be a battle and cause someone to isolate themselves from others. They often can’t face acknowledging that there is a problem. Their work, studies and leisure activities suffer, and relationships can be destroyed. The same things can happen when someone is in active addiction.  

To try and relieve some of these difficulties, some people turn to drugs and alcohol. These can perpetuate the problem, and cause additional ones due to the cost of maintaining a dependency. Research shows that up to a fifth of those living with a depressive illness will become reliant on alcohol and/or drugs.  

Effects of Drug Use on Anxiety Symptoms 

Drugs and alcohol can significantly impact on the psychological symptoms people with anxiety feel. Continued use leads to physiological tolerance. This means that someone will need more and more of a drug/alcohol to have the same effect. This means that, should the person stop, suddenly, or reduce too quickly, whatever they have become reliant on, they put themselves at risk of withdrawal with all the possible ramifications of a major medical emergency. 

Alcohol is a very easily accessible drug: Corner shops, petrol stations, and, recently, even on the motorway. Many millions of people use alcohol without becoming reliant on it. It is not uncommon for colleagues to express how they look forward to a “nice glass of wine” when they get home. Alcohol is a depressant and anti-anxiolytic. It will, for a very short period, supress anxiety. However, continued use, with shorter periods in-between drinks will lead the person to experience heightened anxiety when it starts to wear off. Obviously, the odd glass, here and there, is not problematic. When someone needs to “have a drink” before giving a presentation or keeps a flask in their locker at work for when the stress gets too much, then there is a problem.  

Instead of mood depressants, such as alcohol, others with anxiety sometimes turn to stimulants such as cocaine or amphetamines. This can be counterintuitive as stimulants speed up the way the body sends messages through the nervous system: This, in turn, heightens anxiety.  

Those with anxiety, as with depression, are at significantly higher risk of developing dependency on drugs and alcohol. Self-medication becomes a vicious circle, and, in short time, a dependency develops. When the effects of the drugs/alcohol dissipate so the anxiety becomes much more pronounced, and the depressive symptoms are exacerbated. Indeed, it is possible to develop an anxiety disorder through drug and alcohol use.  

We provide 24-hour addiction help for anyone trying to find alcohol addiction rehab treatment as well as drug addiction rehab UK. 

Can anxiety and depression be missed by doctors due to alcohol and drug use?  

Yes: Alcohol is a mood-altering drug, as are benzodiazepines, cocaine, amphetamines, etc. Just as it is difficult for a doctor in accident and emergency to assess a head injury for someone who is drunk, it is very difficult for a doctor to assess for depression and anxiety in someone using alcohol and drugs.  

How can someone with anxiety and substance dependency get into recovery?  

The aim of rehab for anyone, with or without an underlying mental health condition, is to safely detox the person from the substance they are dependent on: This may, or may not, include medication. This can go a long way to resolving an underlying anxiety state and depressive episode. As soon as the person is physically able to attend groups (for some clients this could be the same day of admission, for others a day or two later) they will be welcomed into the group therapy process where they will find mutual support from peers who have had similar experiences. These groups are always led by an experienced therapist, often in recovery themselves. To address the underlying anxiety/depression additional treatments are also used:  

Individual therapy: This can use elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) to help the client understand their negative thought processes and learn new thinking skills and strategies. Role play is often used. Sometimes an eclectic mix of approaches is used 

Family therapy: This can be a very important element of recovery. Often there is heightened expressed emotion within a family unit with loved ones not sure how to help. A family therapist can help to involve the family to react positively to triggers and assist with relapse prevention while helping the family to resolve issues.  

Other therapies can include music and art therapy, mindfulness, medication and yoga.  

What happens after I leave rehab? What support do I get?  

Aftercare is, by far, one of the most critical links in the recovery chain. All rehab centres provide a group for former residents, on a weekly basis: In person or by video conferencing. Most also provide ongoing telephone support. Some will provide continuing individual therapy, for an additional fee.   

For alcohol addiction rehab treatment call or email Find Me a Rehab. We provide 24-hour addiction help if you need drug addiction rehab UK.