Mood Disorders

Treatment for Mood Disorders and Chemical Dependency

Many people who are contemplating entering into the drug rehab treatment center process are dealing with an additional risk factor, a dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorder. At Cirque Lodge Sundance Utah, our staff is highly skilled at intervening with clients who have a mood disorder, including Depressive Disorders, Eating Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, Mood Disorders due to a General Medical Condition, Substance-Induced Mood Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders. These disorders are illnesses that can create disturbances in thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Mood disorders frequently cause people who have not had adequate treatment for their illness to self-medicate, using alcohol, drugs, or other substances. Using drugs and alcohol invariably leads to more problems, tends to worsen the symptoms, and causes even more life-damaging consequences including addiction. Cirque Lodge can help with our drug treatment program.

Evaluation and Assessment

Before you can solve a problem, you need to know what the problem is. If you have both a substance abuse problem of some kind and a mood disorder, you require treatment that will address both conditions of a co-occurring nature. Once a client enters treatment at Cirque Lodge, they receive a thorough evaluation and assessment conducted by a multidisciplinary team of professionals, and includes gathering a history of previous psychiatric illness and treatment.

Brain Diseases

In the Cirque Lodge alcohol rehab and drug rehab program, we educate our residents about the brain disease of chemical dependency. When a co-occurring mood disorder is also present, you can imagine how difficult it would be to recover from both conditions. According to M. E. Charness, in his article, Alcohol and the Brain, "alcohol has profound effects on the brain, and can alter the properties of nerve cell membranes and interfere with many of the chemical systems that transmit and process information." (p.85) It is believed that mood disorders also result from imbalances or physical changes in the brain. It is extremely important, therefore, to enter treatment where these illnesses can be treated effectively, and where you can gain an understanding of your own mood disorder and its relationship to your substance abuse problem.

Types of Mood Disorders

Mood disorders include Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, with hypomanic, manic, mixed, or depressed episodes, Bipolar II Disorder, or Cyclothymic Disorder. All of these mood disorders are further specified using a variety of features and specifiers, which vary from person to person. Although it may be tempting to try and diagnose yourself or your loved one, this is strongly discouraged. It is crucial that a psychiatrist and medical professional complete a thorough evaluation that reviews all pertinent medical and psychiatric information. Depression may include symptoms of depressed mood, tearfulness, irritability, loss of interest or decreased ability to enjoy activities, insomnia/hypersomnia, disturbed sleep, changes in appetite, psychomotor retardation, fatigue, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt, or thoughts of death or suicide. Mania may include symptoms of expansive/euphoric mood, grandiosity, increased physical activity, decreased need for sleep, rapid/pressured speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas, distractibility, agitation, impulsivity, impaired judgment, risk-taking, or mood swings.

Causes of Mood Disorders

Although the exact causes of a mood disorder are difficult to determine, they are believed to result from imbalances of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Several other factors are viewed as possible contributors, including: heredity, biology, early experience, genetic factors, psychosocial influences, personality, and environment.

Recovery From Mood Disorders

Change is difficult. Getting better takes work, time, motivation, consistent action, and support. At Cirque Lodge, we have a consistent record of providing quality care in a mountain setting that supports spiritual and emotional growth as well as recovery from mood and substance abuse disorders. Along with abstinence from all mood-altering chemicals, and proper treatment, a strong aftercare plan is also an absolute requirement. With medication, counseling, and with proper treatment, most people can recover and achieve the mood stability that will allow them to lead more fulfilling and productive lives.

For more information on how the Cirque Lodge drug treatment center can help you or a loved one please call us today at 1-877-99-REHAB or visit our Addiction Rehab or Dual Diagnosis pages.