It is thought that depression is a result of decreased activity in the pre-frontal cortex and increased activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex (Brain Area 25). In addiction treatment and drug rehab, depression is a major problem. Drug addiction and alcoholism can cause depression and/or exacerbate a previous depressive disorder. It is now known that anti-depressants promote neurogenesis and increases the activity in the hippocampus and one theory of depression says that it is caused by decreased activity of the hippocampus linked to prolonged exposure to cortisol. The cortisol theory of depression simply states that stress causes depression. That's not hard to comprehend.

Medication response differs between chronic atypical depression and acute melancholic depression. Modern SSRI's, the one's we've all heard about over the years (e.g., prozac) are usually quite effective at treating depression.

It is important to emphasize that medication alone does not solve the depression problem in drug rehab. Antidepressants must be combined with therapy and counseling. Antidepressants work best when combined with therapy and counseling. Despite what people think, antidepressants do not make a person happy. They are not "happy pills." They simply keep a person from sinking into the quicksand of depression. Depression is like being stuck in quicksand. The more you struggle, the deeper you get. It's like slipping into a black hole. Normal people who do not suffer from depression are able to climb out of the quicksand if they put some effort into it. For example, they are able to lift themselves out of the depression by doing something that will lift their spirits, or realizing that things aren't so bad after all. But, people with depression are not able to do this. They continue to sink and even though they try and get out of it, they can't. Antidepressants are like a branch that people with depression can grab onto and pull themselves out of when they feel themselves sinking deeper and deeper. It still takes effort, but gives the situation some hope...

Labels: Addiction Treatment and Depression, Biological Aspects of Addiction, Biological Aspects of Alcoholism, Depression, Depression and Drug Addiction