Did you know that half a million people in the United States suffer from winter Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? It’s more than just the “winter blues,” and progressing seasonal depression is something to be aware of. 

Here’s the question - is it possible for seasonal depression and addiction to be in sync with one another? Let’s find out. Continue reading below for more information. 

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD): WHAT IS IT?

The Mayo Clinic defines SAD as a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. It begins and ends around the same time each year. It’s more likely for SAD to flare up during the fall and winter months compared to the spring and summer months. 

• Fall and winter can cause winter-onset SAD, “winter depression,” which includes feelings of tiredness with a change in actions from oversleeping to craving foods higher in carbohydrates.
• Spring and summer-onset SAD, “summer depression,” has similar indications including insomnia, lack of appetite and an increase of anxiety. 

Women are more likely to get diagnosed with SAD compared to men. It occurs more frequently in younger adults than older adults, as well. 

Causes & Risk Factors 

The specific cause of SAD is unknown; however, based on research, it is suggested for the condition to be triggered through the availability of sunlight or lack thereof. The Cleveland Clinic suggests that with less exposure to sunlight, the internal biological clock, circadian rhythm, is shifted. Exposure to light can reset one’s biological clock. 

Additionally, chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin or melatonin, that transmit information between nerves could be altered in people with SAD due to imbalances from light exposure. This affects mood, sleep patterns and other characteristics of a person. 

• Circadian Rhythm: The minimal exposure to sunlight during fall and winter can decrease your body’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression.
• Serotonin Levels: Serotonin, a brain chemical, affects your mood. With reduced sunlight, it causes a drop in serotonin that can trigger feelings of hopelessness and sadness.
• Melatonin Levels: The change in weather can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin. This plays a role in sleep patterns and mood. 

Risk factors that affect SAD include:

• Family History: Depression is possible to run in one’s family. 
• Susceptible to Depression or Bipolar Disorder: Depression may worsen as the winter season continues. 
• Where You Live: SAD is more common among people who live far north or south of the equator due to decreased exposure to sunlight during winter or longer days during summer. People who relocate to higher latitudes are prone to be affected by SAD. 
• Your Age: Younger adults have a higher risk of cultivating SAD compared to older adults. This condition has even been reported amongst children and teens. 

Symptoms

Symptoms typically start in late fall and last throughout the winter months. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Feeling depressed and sad daily
• Anxiety
• Increased need for sleep 
• Lacking interest in activities
• Low energy levels
• Troubles with sleeping
• Changes in appetite
• Weight gain or loss
• Feeling irritable 
• Difficulty maintaining focus
• Feeling worthless and hopeless
• Frequent thoughts of death and suicide
• Social withdrawal
• Problems at school or work
• Substance abuse 
• Co-occurring disorders

HOW DOES SEASONAL DEPRESSION CORRELATE WITH ADDICTION?

People tend to “numb the pain” they are feeling with certain stimuli that make them feel better, like alcohol or drugs. When it hits the winter season and feelings of depression cannot be shaken, for some, the go-to solution is reaching substances. 

However, in reality, the substance being used won’t make anything better and it can cause people to become dependent. Seasonal patterns take place and both diseases, addiction and SAD, are developed. 

Research proves that individuals who seasonally use substances experience SAD and can lead to addiction. Additionally, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (AADA) and the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 20 percent of Americans with a mental disorder, including SAD, struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD). 

Without a doubt, there is a connection between substance abuse and mental health disorders called co-occurring disorders. The National Bureau of Economic Research found that “people who have experienced mental illness consume nearly 69 percent of alcohol, 84 percent of cocaine and 68 percent of cigarettes.” 

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO COMBAT SEASONAL DEPRESSION AND ADDICTION THIS WINTER

For those who are experiencing SAD alongside their SUD, treatment like light therapy, medications, psychotherapy and more can be options. 

Medication

Providence Recovery provides Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for their patients, as we believe most mental health disorders have corresponding medication recommendations, like SAD. MAT is the combined use of medications, counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance abuse, withdrawal tendencies and to decrease the chance of overdose. We utilize Suboxone and Vivitrol to act on the receptors in your brain, reducing cravings, preventing withdrawal symptoms and blocking the effects of a substance. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

We offer many behavioral therapies in our outpatient program and partial hospitalization program for clients, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This is a psychological therapy that encourages patients to modify maladaptive thoughts to change behaviors. Patients learn healthier coping skills, which helps to acknowledge and improve maladaptive behavior patterns.

CBT is psychotherapy known to be useful for the treatment of SAD. The person gets to identify activities that are engaging and pleasurable, whether indoors or outdoors, to improve coping with winter. It's also valuable to treat SUD and other conditions. 

Individual Therapy

Providence Recovery provides individual therapy to help patients privately address issues before the development of addiction and/or SAD as well as problems that arise during treatment. Those who are in treatment will receive two one-on-one therapy sessions a week.

Group Therapy

We also offer group therapy as one of the core components of our treatment programs. A trained counselor guides interactions in a group setting. This aids the group to be encouraged upon reflection, accountability, empathy and developing positive communication skills. Treatment for both depression disorders like SAD and substance abuse benefits from the support of others through directed group therapy sessions.

Continual Support

Recovery does not end after treatment. At Providence Recovery, our goal is to help patients build life skills and fellowship to provide long-lasting support, even having completed our program. Patients need continual support after completing their treatment program. 

SEASONAL DEPRESSION & ADDICTION | PROVIDENCE RECOVERY 

It is crucial to get diagnosed if you are experiencing symptoms of seasonal depression or substance addiction. Especially if paired with addiction, we want you to receive the support and help you need. 

At Providence Recovery, we are a patient-centered addiction treatment facility that offers:

• Medication Assisted Recovery
• Outpatient Program - individual and groups
• Partial Hospitalization Program
• Recovery Community - a sober living home for Men
• Intensive Outpatient Program

Our approach to recovery treats the whole person, and we make the recovery experience simple with other healthcare professionals. Our staff has extensive backgrounds in the medical field, which positions us to make your treatment as comprehensive and straightforward as possible.

We want you to have a great holiday season and to overcome seasonal depression. Reach out to us today to get started on a new, healthier life.