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Question

I quit drinking six years ago by going to a treatment centre and getting involved with AA. I never could connect with its spirituality and although I never went to too many meetings, I quit altogether after two years. Living life sober got easier when I stopped worrying about trying to do everything the way others wanted me to do things. I haven't relapsed in six years and live a pretty good life.

I am curious about the relationship between depression and drinking problems. I've had problems with depression all my life and I know many others with the same problems. I've done better with the depression since I put the booze away: drinking isn't a solution to anything. What can you tell me about depression and drinking?

Answer

Congratulations on your six years of sobriety! Although many people stop drinking with the help of AA, it is not the only path to recovery. In the long run, people who have had significant alcohol-related problems stay sober by restructuring at least some aspects of their lives. Some do it with the help of AA. Others do it on their own. It sounds like you've done the latter. Keep up the good work!

Now to your question about depression and drinking. People who have a history of clinical depression before they start drinking are at greater risk of developing a drinking problem. Drinking heavily also puts people at risk for developing depression for a number of reasons: it's a nervous system depressant and when people drink heavily they tend to restrict their lives and gradually exclude other activities that are pleasurable, etc.

Continuing to experience symptoms of depression for as long as you have after you've stopped drinking is not good. It adversely affects your quality of life. I have two suggestions for you:

1. 1. Consider a professional evaluation by a clinical psychologist with expertise in affective disorders and substance abuse and consider buying the paperback book "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by David Burns, M.D.
2. 2. A psychologist can evaluate you and help determine the processes of your symptoms of depression. In other words, what keeps it going. He or she can then help you map out a strategy for better dealing with these symptoms. If you do not have access to a psychologist, consider the Burns book. It is one of the best self-help manuals on the market for depression. It is based on an empirically supported, cognitive behavioral approach to dealing with depression. Whatever route you choose, I wish you the best of luck.

Reid Hester, Ph.D.

02/19/98

Reid K. Hester, Ph.D.
Director, Research Division
Behavior Therapy Associates
3810 Osuna Rd NE Suite 1
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505.345.6100 ph
505.342.2454 fax
Behavioral Self-control Program for Windows