Many of us have been there: We had a bad day or a tough week, so we pour ourselves a glass of wine or open a bottle of beer. However, for people suffering from depression or anxiety, self-medicating can become a big problem.

Often, people with depression and/or anxiety use alcohol or other drugs like marijuana or painkillers to help ease their symptoms, but this is only temporary. In fact, once the substance wears off, depression can worsen.

While the exact cause of depression remains unknown, many researchers believe it has to do with chemical imbalances in the brain. Alcohol and drugs can do further damage to chemicals in the brain, which only exacerbates the depression.

Additionally, alcohol and drug abuse can make it harder to diagnose and treat depression. Not only does the patient have to be treated for depression, their doctor also has to treat the substance abuse, which may involve detox and time spent in a rehabilitation center. Alcohol and drugs can also interfere with the effectiveness of antidepressant medications.

It is important that you seek help for depression. Be open and honest with your physician about your substance abuse so they can offer you the best treatment plan possible and increase your chances for recovery. Self-medication can actually lead to more serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia and even suicide.

For more information, contact Solace Counseling. We can create a customized treatment plan to help treat your primary disorder, as well as any side effects that have come along with it. If you found this information helpful, or if you know people who you think could benefit from it, please share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.