Personal Experience by Bhanu Kapoor.

I have been in this treatment for almost 18 months. I have experienced many ups and downs that have taught me to be tough with my decision making. I decide now on even small matters with a long discussion and take a unanimous decision if I am sure that decision will give me the solution of the problem. Hence I have learnt here in Shafa Home to deal with problems practically in a realistic way related to addiction in a better way. Now I have grown up to this world of uncertainty where you would find people deeply engrossed in to addiction and whom are not able to come out of this grave situation so they have only their strong will power and experience gained from the treatment and the things they learnt while they were undergoing the program where they learnt realistic and practical solutions to fight this dreaded monster of addiction. It was at the de-addiction center that they learnt what they were missing in their real life when they were deeply in to addiction and now they can get out of this and prosper peacefully in their life and enjoy fruits of recovery by using their sense of reason as I have been using since my last 5 months after completing my treatment .I am really thankful to Shafa Home to have provided me a platform of recovery and healthy life. This has given me a confidence in life and now I can enjoy my life with the fruits of recovery. Now I can enjoy every moment of life and can make use of all the opportunities available in this world. 

In Past I Bhanu Kapoor was a cheerful and fun loving person. I was enjoying my life with academics, music, dancing and relationships. Everything was going fine, but suddenly this fun started getting away from me and my lovable friends changed into some others. This moment was so evil that I forgot all my customs and relations and it evolved so fast that I was unable to withstand against it. Finally, I started abusing drugs. My family relations and I were effected so badly that I started running and in the end that so called run ended at Shafa Home.

I am happy that I took treatment from Shafa Home. Here I forgot that feeling of going home. Now if I look upon myself, I am happy to see myself as a changed person. I am no longer careless, no more taking things lightly and most important I have a strong belief of not touching drugs ever in my life..I am heartily thankful to SHAFA, MY FAMILY and all those people who helped me in this journey which results in that I am writing and sharing my journey in front of you all proudly….and when I go back home after working here at Shafa Home as a Voluntary Staff I feel very relaxed and also feel proud of myself to be in Recovery. I am now enjoying the fruits of recovery. I feel very happy when people at my place and even my neighbors’ compliment me about my success in recovery they ask me how did I got out of addiction. They are all inspired about how people recover from the dreaded monster called addiction. So I would like to thank Shafa home for helping me get out of addiction and enjoy my life without being dependent on any of the substance and lead a healthy life.

What’s The Connection between Addiction and Mood Disorders?

Mental health disorders are far more common among addicts than they are among the general population, and mood disorders specifically very commonly co-occur with substance abuse. Depression and bipolar disorder are frequently accompanied by heavy drinking, abuse of painkillers or sedatives, and/or use of a combination of different substances. When this occurs, the effect can be significantly impaired mental health symptoms due to the combined effects of substance abuse and the mental health disorder.

A co-occurring mood disorder with alcoholism or drug addiction can make treatment a challenge. So what can you do if you or a loved one is exhibiting signs of the need for dual  diagnosis treatment? The most effective way to address both issues and stop the untreated disorder from sabotaging progress in the treatment of the other disorder is to enroll in a dual diagnosis rehab program that provides comprehensive care for both disorders simultaneously.

Self-Medication

Many patients first experience symptoms of a mood disorder and attempt to use drugs and alcohol to “medicate” those symptoms. Because the symptoms of depression or the anger or mood swings associated with bipolar disorder are uncomfortable, patients may attempt to drink to change their mood or in an attempt simply to feel better.

In the same way, some patients may turn to prescription drugs like opiate painkillers or benzodiazepines, but ultimately find that nothing helps them deal with their symptoms effectively or for the long-term. Many, in fact, instead find that drug use only worsens the symptoms, but rather than turn to a more effective solution, the pull of substance abuse can create an even deeper hole of isolation and despair.

Substance Abuse as the Primary Disorder

For some patients, drinking and drug use may have appeared before the symptoms of their mood disorder began to manifest. Diagnosable signs of these disorders don’t usually begin until the early adult years, but prior to diagnosis, many patients begin experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Though it can begin as a social experiment, patients may develop a substance abuse problem that accentuates the issues stemming from their mood disorder. Unfortunately, the following problems can result when the two disorders are co-occurring:

·         Worsened mental health symptoms

·         Intensified cravings for drugs and alcohol

·         Increased periods of depression

·         Increased difficulty during detox

Treatment for Addiction and Mood Disorders

The natural inclination of many patients is to attempt to isolate and treat either the mood disorder or the substance abuse problem, depending upon which one appears to be most intrusive in their day-to-day lives. Though this may seem easier than taking on a comprehensive treatment program that addresses both issues, it ultimately only creates more work and longer time spent in treatment. A treatment program that attempts to isolate the issues attached to just the substance abuse disorder, (addiction and depression for example), won’t be as effective as one that recognizes that the symptoms caused by the mood disorder are intense triggers.

Many patients will relapse because they are not getting help in addressing those symptoms in a healthier fashion. Similarly, those who attempt to treat the mood disorder while continuing to drink or use drugs will find that little progress will be made in managing their mental health symptoms because their substance use continually offsets the value of therapy and/or medication. This is why the need for dual diagnosis and specifically designed programs for its treatment exist. Mood disorders are best treated simultaneously with substance abuse issues.

Questions about Mood and Substance Use Disorders

ShafaHome Offers a comprehensive and personalized treatment program for patients who are struggling with a mood disorder and substance abuse. Your journey into recovery from both disorders can begin today. Call now to learn more about our comprehensive treatment programs. Or leave your questions for us in the comments section below. We’ll do our best to respond to you personally and promptly.

Shafa Home is country’s premier organization for treatment of alcohol/drug problems, de-addiction, rehabilitation, counseling, treatment for females, nasha mukti, psychiatric disorders and secondary addictions like gambling, internet etc.