Have you been struggling with depression since getting clean from opioids? You’re not alone. Many people deal with mood changes and even full-blown depression after stopping opioid use. The good news is that, for most people, these symptoms are temporary.
Your brain’s chemistry has been altered by long-term opiate use. Now that you’ve stopped, your brain needs time to adjust and start producing feel-good chemicals on its own again. This process can take weeks or even months. The ups and downs during this period can really take a toll. But hang in there. Crestview Recovery offers opiate rehab in Portland and opioid rehab in Portland, where you can recover from use of opiates and pain medication. Every day without opioids, your brain is healing a little more.
Is Depression after Opiate Addiction Normal?
Depression is a common and significant issue that can arise after opiate addiction. That is one reason it’s important to seek dual diagnosis treatment or a rehab that offers mental health treatment for depression as well as addiction treatment. Opiates, including drugs like heroin, prescription painkillers (oxycodone and hydrocodone), and synthetic opioids, can have profound effects on the brain and body, both during addiction and during the recovery process. Here are some reasons why depression can be a concern after opiate addiction:
- Neurochemical Changes: Opiates alter brain chemistry, leading to reduced pleasure sensitivity (anhedonia), a hallmark of depression.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Stopping opiate use can trigger intense sadness, anxiety, and depression during withdrawal.
- Psychological Impact: Opiate addiction can cause guilt, shame, and hopelessness, which are common in depression.
- Social and Emotional Isolation: Addiction often strains relationships and leads to social isolation, which can worsen depression.
- Physical Health Issues: Opiate addiction’s impact on physical health, including chronic pain and infections, can contribute to depressive symptoms.
- Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS): Some experience protracted withdrawal symptoms, including depression, long after quitting opiates.
What is the Link Between Depression and Opiate Abuse?
To fully comprehend the connection between depression and opiate abuse, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms that contribute to this relationship. Research suggests that individuals with depression often turn to opioids as a means of self-medication. The intense euphoria and temporary relief provided by opiates can serve as a temporary escape from the overwhelming emotional pain of depression. However, continued opiate use can exacerbate depressive symptoms over time, leading to a vicious cycle of addiction and worsening mental health.
On the other hand, individuals who develop an opioid addiction may experience feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and low self-esteem. These emotions often accompany addiction and can contribute to the onset or worsening of depressive symptoms. The chemical changes in the brain caused by long-term opiate use can also directly influence mood and increase the risk of developing depression.
It is essential to recognize that the link between depression and opiate abuse is complex and multifaceted. While self-medication and chemical changes in the brain play a role, there are also several other factors at play, including genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and the presence of other co-occurring mental health disorders.
How Long Does Depression Last After Opiate Abuse Treatment?
After undergoing treatment for opiate abuse, individuals may wonder how long the accompanying depression will persist. Typically, depression after stopping opioid use can last for weeks, months, or even longer. The duration of depressive symptoms after opiate abuse treatment can vary depending on various factors, including:
- How long you were using opioids and at what dosage. Long-term abuse of high doses can cause more significant changes in brain chemistry that take longer to normalize.
- Your mental health history. If you’ve struggled with depression or anxiety before using opioids, you’re more likely to experience it during recovery.
- Lifestyle changes. Giving up opioids often means making major lifestyle adjustments that can be emotionally taxing, contributing to feelings of depression. Developing new routines and social connections will help improve your mood over time.
- Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This refers to withdrawal symptoms that persist for months after stopping opioids, including depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and mood swings. PAWS can last up to 2 years as your brain’s chemistry gradually returns to normal.
In some cases, individuals may experience a gradual improvement in their depressive symptoms as they progress through the stages of recovery. However, for some individuals, depression may persist even after the addiction is successfully overcome. This could be due to underlying mental health issues, unresolved trauma, or the impact that addiction and its consequences have had on their lives.
If an individual continues to experience depression after opiate abuse treatment, it is crucial to seek further help from mental health professionals who can provide specialized care and support. Addiction and mental health therapy with the implementation of healthy coping mechanisms can assist in managing and overcoming depression in the long term.
How Long Does It Take for Brain Chemistry to Return to Normal After Opiates?
It can take time for your brain’s chemistry to normalize after opioid abuse. Don’t expect immediate changes, but know that your mood and mental state will gradually improve.
The acute withdrawal period after discontinuing opioids usually lasts between a week and ten days. During this time, depression, anxiety, and mood changes are common due to chemical imbalances in the brain. If you participate in a detoxification program for opioids and opiates, then medical staff can administer medication to help manage these symptoms.
After the initial withdrawal, your brain needs time to heal and replenish depleted neurotransmitters that regulate mood and stress, like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. This can take:
- 3 to 6 months for major neurotransmitter systems to normalize
- 6 to 12 months for your stress hormone system and circadian rhythms to stabilize
- 12 to 24 months for structural changes in the brain to reverse
While this may seem like a long process, staying committed to your recovery plan will speed up healing. Exercise, diet, therapy, medication if needed, and social support can all help rebalance your brain chemistry and ease symptoms of depression or mood changes.
Some tips to help improve your mood during this time:
- Exercise regularly. Exercise releases feel-good hormones that act as natural antidepressants and help regulate mood. Engaging in light activities such as strolling or practicing yoga can be beneficial.
- Eat a healthy diet. A balanced diet with plenty of nutrients will give your brain the fuel it needs to heal. Prioritize lean proteins, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables.
- Practice self-care. Ensure you allocate time for leisure pursuits, socializing, and unwinding. Do things that boost your mood, like meditation, deep breathing, or journaling.
- Consider medication or therapy if needed. Speaking to a doctor about antidepressants or seeing a therapist can help if lifestyle changes are not improving your symptoms.
What Drugs Cause Major Depression?
One of the most well-known drugs that can cause major depression is alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption can disrupt brain chemistry, leading to imbalances in neurotransmitters and mood disorders. Another substance is benzodiazepines, which are commonly prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders. Prolonged use of benzodiazepines can result in depression as a withdrawal symptom.
Stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines can also impact brain chemistry and contribute to depressive symptoms after the initial high wears off. Cannabis use has also been associated with an increased risk of depression, especially in heavy and long-term users. At Crestview Recovery we provide substance use treatment in Portland for these addictions.
While these drugs can cause major depression, the relationship between substance use and mental health is complex. Other factors, such as genetics, environmental influences, and individual vulnerability, play significant roles in the development of depression.
What is an Opioid-induced Mood Disorder?
Now that we have discussed the drugs that can cause major depression, let’s delve into a specific condition known as opioid-induced mood disorder. Opioid-induced mood disorder refers to the onset of depressive symptoms that occur directly as a result of opioid use.
Individuals who are prescribed opioids for pain management or misuse these drugs are at risk of developing this condition. Opioids can directly affect the brain’s reward system and neurotransmitters, leading to changes in mood and emotions.
Symptoms of opioid-induced mood disorders may include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and feelings of hopelessness or guilt. It is crucial to differentiate this condition from clinical depression, as the treatment approaches may vary.
Treating Opioid-Induced Mood Disorders
Treating opioid-induced mood disorders involves addressing the mood symptoms that result from opioid use or withdrawal. These mood disorders can include depression, anxiety, and other related conditions. The treatment approach typically includes a combination of medication and therapy. Options include:
Medication
Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to help boost mood and ease symptoms like sadness, sleep problems, and irritability. It can take 4 to 6 weeks to feel the full effects of antidepressants. Anti-anxiety medications may also be used temporarily to relieve severe symptoms.
Therapy
Speaking with a therapist or counselor can be very helpful for overcoming opioid-induced depression. Options include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps change negative thought patterns and behaviors, CBT has been shown to be effective for both depression and addiction recovery.
- Support groups where you can connect with others struggling with similar issues. Hearing from those farther along in recovery can help give you hope and coping strategies.
- Individual counseling to address the underlying causes of your addiction and mood issues. A therapist can provide a compassionate ear and help you work through challenging emotions.
The crucial thing is to hold on to hope. With proper treatment and time, your brain will heal, your mood will lift, and you will start to feel like yourself again. Stay committed to your recovery plan, connect with others, engage in self-care, and be patient through the process. Though the road may not always be easy, freedom from addiction and the restoration of health and happiness are absolutely possible. You’ve got this!
Crestview Recovery Opiate Addiction Treatment
Crestview Recovery is a rehab where people who are struggling with opioid addiction can get help. We have a caring team of experts and modern facilities to provide the best care. At Crestview Recovery we help people recover from addiction and find a better life with support and a new sense of purpose. Crestview is here to help people break free from addiction and have a happier and healthier life. Contact us today!
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
