Depression in Recovery: How to Recognise and Manage It

One of the most common challenges in recovery is depression, feeling laden with emptiness and lingering hopelessness when the substances are gone. Yet depression in recovery does not mean you’re failing; it means your body and mind are stabilising and adjusting to your new life without drugs or alcohol.

We’ll give you signs to watch out for and strategies to help you manage depressive episodes on your journey to sustained, fulfilling recovery.

What is meant by “depression in recovery”?

For people suffering a long-standing addiction, the recovery process will be fraught with challenges that may sometimes feel insurmountable. So often in conversations of recovery, we mention the glimmering peaks, the accomplishments and the feeling of hope. Yet, we must, at times, also speak of the tribulations to better equip ourselves for the challenges to come.

For those in recovery, alcohol and drug cessation is often inseparable from waves of emptiness and despair. As the body and mind strive to adapt to life without the substance, new sensations can be disturbing. Even the signs of positive change can first appear as frightening and disorienting.

But to use a simple analogy, the only time we can find a rainbow is after rain.

Depression in recovery doesn’t equate to any failing, nor does it mean that sobriety was the wrong choice. Going through depression in recovery is often a natural reflection of deep physical and mental health adjustments. It’s important to remember that your depression is only temporary if the right steps are taken.

Is depression in recovery very common?

Broadly speaking, yes, depression in recovery is very common. Research indicates that among people treated for alcohol dependence, 20 to 60% have had a depressive episode at some point.

In rehab settings, a study of 200 participants found that more than half showed symptoms of depression, ranging from mild to severe. The prevalence of depression in recovery underlines how normal it is for recovery to involve mental health challenges. In this light, both treatment providers and those suffering will benefit from seeing that depression is a state that can and should be worked out of.

What are the main signs of depression I can watch for?

If you’re going through recovery, it isn’t always so clear-cut that what you’re feeling is a “normal adjustment” or a depressive episode. You can go through extreme highs and lows, and fluctuations can be expected. However, depression can linger and grow heavier, imposing itself on every aspect of your day.

Some of the key signs to watch for include:

• Eating too much or too little
• Problems concentrating and staying focused
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Increase in purposeless physical activity (such as inability to sit still, pacing or wringing your hands)
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts
• Waking abruptly in the night

You may experience one or many of these signs in the recovery process, especially in the earliest stages and in medical detox.

What are the key drivers of depression in recovery?

The American Psychiatric Association states that in order for depression to be diagnosed, symptoms need to be felt for most of the day, nearly every day, for more than two weeks, alongside a change in day-to-day functioning.

However, this diagnosis applies to any person, with or without a substance use disorder (SUD), and those in addiction recovery can be even more prone to the drivers of cyclical depression. Some of these key drivers of depression specific to addiction recovery include:

• The “reset” in the body and mind: Recovery from addiction involves major changes in brain chemistry and physical health. Especially for those who have struggled for years, “resetting” in recovery will bring overwhelming emotions; some can struggle to experience pleasure in the same way they used to.
• The emotional aftermath of addiction: Part of the addiction recovery process involves coming to terms with one’s past and striving to resolve negative feelings. Most people will feel guilt, shame or regret as they look back on addiction, and trying to process them can be a contributor to further depression.
• The propensity to isolate and blame oneself: One of the most dangerous aspects of quitting a substance is feeling as though you must lock yourself away in order to avoid the substance. Recovery usually feels lonely, especially if you had to turn your back on old social circles that revolved around drinking or taking drugs.

How to manage depression symptoms in recovery

If you’re going through recovery, there are practical ways to ease overwhelming feelings and regain balance in your life. Depression might not be eradicated overnight, but these strategies can function like stepping stones towards stability.

If you’re going alone or you are in professional rehab, the steps below can alleviate depressive waves and help keep you grounded.

Where can I find support for depression or addiction?

If you’re struggling with depression during your recovery, please remember that you are not alone, as millions share the same experience. When you’re ready, professional support can provide the stability and guidance you need to move forward.

At Banbury Lodge, we specialise in treatment that helps you address drivers of depression, as well as the contributors to addictive behaviours. Evidence-based therapy is used to help you reframe the way you respond to challenges, and ongoing aftercare keeps you supported in sustained recovery.

Reach out to us today. Taking this step today could be the first in your journey to a healthier future, free from the confines of addiction.