How You Can Recognize Alcoholic Depression

I still remember Kent from university. He dressed well, danced like a pro, always had a great story, and instantly livened any party, which is why he rated invitations to all of them. In the decade of 80's, he lived the belief that nothing exceeds like excess. Ken lived in the dorms, but we never saw him at meals. We shared two classes, yet Kent didn't actually attend class unless I warned him that an exam was imminent. Those of us who knew Kent beyond the superficial party circuit felt like we knew two different people - the Kent who was "on" for parties and the Kent who was "off" the rest of the time. Kent, the life of the party, suffered from alcoholic depression. Real alcoholic depression is very scary - during extended periods of drinking the body and brain actually begin to shut down.

Hallmarks of Alcoholic Depression

One of the main hallmarks of alcoholic depression is drinking in order to feel normal. Alcoholics, once they reach a certain point, can't imagine life without alcohol or with alcohol. The alcoholic depression that results from that agonizing situation can lead to suicidal thoughts or attempts. If Kent wasn't preparing to go to a party or wasn't at a party, his mood was increasingly low. He didn't sleep well, he didn't want to eat, and he stopped going to class altogether. He began to look sick and his skin took on a sort of gray pallor. He became anxious about all sorts of things that previously never worried him such as why people stared at him at parties. He became irritable and would often fly into rages, screaming at no one in particular. His attendance at parties - his raison d'être - became sporadic. It was after one no show that one of his friends found him - Kent had chosen a permanent solution to what was a temporary problem.

The irony of alcohol is that while it can cause a pleasant sense of euphoria, alcohol is a sedative hypnotic drug - in other words, a depressant. Alcohol can have a toxic effect on the serotonin neurotransmitters of alcoholics. Many health practitioners recommend abstinence from alcohol if a person has a history of depression since alcohol will almost certainly exacerbate a predisposition toward depression.

Since Kent never detoxed, he never knew the type of depression that comes as the alcoholic begins to recover. In early recovery from alcoholism, this type of depression set is as the disease of alcoholism visits with the brain because the disease wants to be fed. It can seem like an almost constant internal dialogue against a force that literally wants to kill you. The fight is exhausting and some recovering alcoholics take their own lives to escape this particular kind of hell. While brutal, is it mercifully temporary and eases quickly as time in recovery increases.

Alcoholic Depression Symptoms

Sometimes life events can lead to an increase in alcohol consumption and increase the risk of alcoholic depression. As you might imagine, major life stressors especially losses, can trigger an increase in drinking. Unfortunately for an alcoholic, the increase in drinking can cause other life problems, and a vicious cycle begins. For example, the alcoholic loses his girlfriend, he drinks more, he becomes sleep deprived (passing out does not equal restful sleeping), his work performance suffers, he loses his job, his stress level increases, he drinks more to try to alleviate the stress . . . and on it goes.

If someone you know exhibits some or all of these symptoms, please pay attention and do what you can to get help for the person, including treatment. Alcoholic depression looks like:

· Using alcohol to try to escape or to numb feelings

· Shaking and lack of motor coordination

· Lack of interest in normal activities

· Change in appearance - for the worse

· Drinking too much alcohol every day

· Thoughts of hopelessness or suicide - always take talk of suicide seriously

· Drinking alcohol alone

· Isolating - not attending functions, not answering the telephone, cancelling appointments

· Drinking alcohol to be able to sleep - particularly dangerous if alcohol is combined with sleep aids or other sedatives

· Uncontrollable crying spells or sudden fits of rage

Getting Help

If you or someone you know is suffering from alcoholic depression, it is imperative that you get help quickly. You can begin with your doctor. Alcoholics Anonymous is often very helpful and has saved countless lives. Some may need medical supervision for a while and hospitalization. Time in a treatment center may be appropriate.