Depression Effects | Depression Definition | Depression Children | Treatment Of Depression | DEPRESSION MEN

Samuel was a forty-four-year-old interior designer who was sick of feeling depressed everyday of his life and sick of his unhealthy drinking behavior. In a word, he missed his old drive for doing the things he liked, he was annoyed with himself for spending his hard-earned money on a useless habit, he hated the hangovers he experienced on a regular basis, he was tired of going through shattered relationship after shattered relationship because of his constant drinking, and he was sick of feeling weary every morning.

Moreover he was bored with his drinking friends, he hated the fact that he had to go to court for his second DUI, he was disgusted with how out-of-shape he was, he was irritated with the many times he failed an alcohol test at work, and he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related lawyer fees.

On top of the obvious alcohol-related health problems he was experiencing, in all probability the unhealthiest part of his drinking routine was the undependable and scheming individual he had become. In his heart of hearts he knew that he had been less than truthful about his drinking behavior to his family, friends and relatives and he also knew he had been less than honest with himself about the “positive” effects of drinking. Not only this but he justified wolfing down two or three drinks before going to social events and he also made excuses for needing a few drinks as soon as he awakened so that he could deal with the “tension” at his job.

His Depression and His Excessive and Abusive Drinking Lead to Significant Changes in His Life

It was clear that Samuel was sick of putting up with the adverse outcomes of his depression and his abusive drinking and decided that something important had to change in his life. So he determined that he would abstain from drinking, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, develop a new circle of friends, start exercising, start focusing on becoming a more healthy person, and get professional counseling.

In short, Samuel got to the point in his life during which he understood that he hit rock bottom and was now ready to begin the gradual road to health.

One of the ways that Samuel put his “plan” info operation was by asking for a transfer at his place of employment. When his request was granted, he moved 900 miles away to a new city. If nothing else, this without a doubt made making new friends and pals and detaching himself from his old pals simpler. Then he phoned a doctor in his new city and made an appointment for a complete psychological and physical examination.

Samuel Meets With a Healthcare Professional About His Hazardous and Heavy Drinking and His Depression

After meeting with the doctor and taking a number of laboratory tests, it was decided that Samuel had made the transition from alcohol abuse to alcoholism and as a result was in need of alcohol detox and alcohol therapy. At this time, the healthcare professional made it a point to discuss the diverse signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about long term alcohol effects with Samuel.

The doctor then told Samuel that it was determined that he was clinically depressed and in need of counseling for this medical problem.

Samuel Makes up His Mind to Revitalize His Body by Exercising, Drinking Filtered Water, Eating Healthy Foods, Living an Alcohol-Free Way of Life, and Taking Vitamins and Minerals

Due to his enthusiasm for following through with the rehab program, after eight weeks of residential treatment, Samuel was ready to begin treatment on an outpatient basis. At this point, he started working at his new job and over the weeks began fortifying his body by living an alcohol-free lifestyle, drinking spring water, eating nutritious foods, exercising, and taking vitamins.

Samuel also dealt with his spiritual life by joining the local Presbyterian church and going to the weekly services.

After approximately four months of outpatient treatment during which time he never suffered through an alcohol relapse, Samuel stopped going to alcohol rehab and instead started going four times per week to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Going to these meetings helped Samuel maintain his alcohol-free style of life, they provided him with the support he required, and they served as a constant reminder of the damaging outcomes that are linked to careless and hazardous drinking.

After going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings just about six-and-a-half months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started dating Kelly, a young woman he met at church. It clearly surprised Samuel how much more ready he was for a dating relationship now that he had his abusive and excessive drinking under control. Indeed it also amazed Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his abusive drinking. Life was now meaningful and full of potential that he could have never hoped for or attained when he was involved in abusive and unhealthy drinking less than a year ago.

A Success Story That is a Testimony of the Value of Alcohol Rehabilitation and the Power of Positive Change

Samuel’s success story is a demonstration of the value of alcohol therapy and the power of positive thinking. As Samuel reflected on his newfound lofty self concept and drive for involving himself in worthwhile, healthy activities, he was actually thankful that he made up his mind to do something worth while about his excessive and hazardous drinking rather than giving into his depression and into the lure of his addiction. The result: he enjoys his new job responsibilities, his life now has a positive direction, he is in command of his life rather than letting himself languish under the control of his alcohol addiction, he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life, and he is involved in a loving relationship.

Roughly four months ago I had breakfast with a thirty-four-year-old man named Alexander who suffers from severe depression, has relationship problems, and who is alcohol and drug dependent. As explained by Alexander, it is his drug addiction and alcoholism and his intense depression that had the most to do with his unceasing relationship difficulties.

I recollect hearing that a history of mental health issues, drug addiction, and harmful drinking quite often happen in the same family. Moreover, I remember hearing that under such circumstances, a person needs to get treatment for both medical situations and that addiction and mental health difficulties frequently occur in the same individual.

As declared by Alexander, he is so dejected by his relationship difficulties and by both of his medical problems that he basically has little or no reason to do much of anything. What is especially sad about this is that earlier in his life, Alexander managed to finish five semesters of grad school in biology.

Alexander’s circumstance makes me question if he is an example of an individual who can look in the mirror and see his drug abuse and alcohol drinking problems and do something healthy about these problems or if he is an individual who has to hit the bottom of the barrel before he gets drug and alcohol rehab that leads to lasting sobriety.

The Need For a Rehabilitation Program He Can Believe In and a Psychologist He Can Trust

If it would be helpful I would assume that I could advise him about numerous blogs and websites that could possibly help him locate information about drug abuse symptoms, the stages of alcoholism, chemical dependency information, and relationship issues. From my vantage point, nevertheless, Alexander needs to find a counseling protocol he can believe in and follow through over the long term and locate a therapist he can trust.

I could be in the wrong but it seems to make sense that Alexander more likely than not needs to look honestly at his life regarding his drug addiction signs and alcoholic symptoms and recognize the fact that he cannot use drugs or even drink responsibly if he wants to get sober, stay sober, and start on the path to lasting sobriety.

It may be asked how treatment would help his drug and alcohol addiction. First of all, there are several recently produced doctor-prescribed meds that can help Alexander through his withdrawal symptoms, through the drug and alcohol detoxification process, and help him avoid a drug or an alcohol relapse.

Second, Alexander would learn to concede the fact that there is completely nothing useful about chemical dependency and excessive and abusive drinking and that involving himself in one or both situations is the road to legal problems, deteriorating health, a premature death, poor work and school performance, shattered relationships, and financial difficulties.

Third, treatment for his relationship problems and his depression might help him manage these psychological issues more successfully and perhaps create less of a need for him to engage in addictive behavior.

The Significance of Support Groups Such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous

There are realistically several friends, other people, and family members who would desire to help Alexander with his substance abuse and his hazardous and excessive drinking. He probably would experience greater acceptance from a recovery group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, however, instead of getting advice from individuals who rarely drink or who have never taken drugs.

When Individuals Do Things They Love and About Which They Are Passionate

There’s a philosophical attitude that contends that individuals who do things they like and something about which they are dedicated reach a magnificent place in life. Stated another way, when people do what they love, they almost never experience an uneventful life or boredom. If they involve themselves in something that is enjoyable, what is more, they become more actualized and experience more gratification and delight in life and in their relationships.

When this is examined more closely it becomes clear that this positive mindset is worlds apart from a life that is grounded in drug and alcohol addiction because such a lifestyle removes the satisfaction and joy that life has to offer.

Because Alexander lacks the fortitude to do much of anything in his life, it is obvious that he definitely needs some hope for a better existence. And the unfortunate thing is that hope is all around Alexander if he could only get to the place in life to get the therapy he needs for his acute depression and dependency and continue with his treatment routine.

Better Relationships, Beneficial Change, Self Respect, and a Meaningful Life Are Possibilities

Alexander is simply too young to be defeated in life. He doesn’t comprehend this right now but if he can learn how to refrain from drugs and alcohol through drug and alcohol rehabilitation and get the counseling he needs for his severe depression, he can reorient his life and start living with passion, self-respect, and direction.

More positive relationships, productive change, self esteem, and a wonderful life are certainly possibilities for Alexander if only he could become motivated to get the medical rehabilitation he requires, follow through with his treatment program, live his life in an addiction-free and healthy manner, and learn how to acquire a more positive attitude about life.

Nearly two weeks ago I read about a twenty-two-year-old female named Rachael who is manic depressive and who is also addicted to alcohol and drugs. I have read that in such situations, an individual needs to get counseling for both medical conditions and that mental health problems and chemical dependency tend to take place in the same individual. In addiction, I recall hearing that a history of abusive drinking, drug abuse, and/or mental health concerns routinely occur in the same family.

Obviously, Rachael is so overcome by both of her medical conditions that she essentially has no reason to achieve much of anything. What is particularly unfortunate about this is that earlier in her life, Rachael completed two-and-a-half years of college. Rachael’s situation makes me wonder if she is an illustration of a person who has to hit the very bottom before he or she gets drug and alcohol addiction treatment that results in long-term recovery.

The Need For a Healthcare Practitioner She Trusts and a Rehab Program She Can Believe In

If I were in contact with Rachael I could suggest quite a lot of blogs and websites that could possibly help her locate info about addiction and alcoholic behavior, relevant chemical dependency information, facts about alcoholism and drugs, and more info about addiction symptoms and alcoholism warning signs. From where I stand, however, Rachael needs to locate a doctor she trusts and a treatment protocol she can believe in and follow through over the long term. I could be mistaken but it seems to make sense that Rachael probably needs to understand the fact that she cannot drink at all or use drugs if she wants to get sober, stay sober, and start on the route to long-lasting recovery.

I am aware that there are some recently produced physician-prescribed drugs that can help Rachael avoid an alcohol or a drug relapse, help her through her withdrawal symptoms, and help her through the drug and alcohol detox process. Obviously it would be in Rachael’s best interests if she became conversant with these drugs.

It is apparent that Rachael needs to admit the fact that there is absolutely nothing useful about hazardous drinking and drug abuse and that messing around with one or both situations is the route to financial difficulties, deteriorating health, poor work and school performance, shattered relationships, a premature death, and legal problems.

The Importance of Recovery Groups Such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous

There are realistically several persons such as other individuals, friends, and family members who would want to help Rachael but she more likely than not would experience greater understanding from a recovery group such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous instead of listening to people who drink in moderation or who have never abused drugs.

When Individuals Do Things They Like and About Which They Are Dedicated

There’s a school of thought that emphasizes that individuals who do things they like and something about which they are zealous reach a wonderful place in life. Stated more specifically, when people do what they enjoy, they hardly ever experience boredom or an uneventful life. If they get involved in something that is satisfying, what is more, they become more fulfilled and experience more satisfaction and joy in life.

To me, this sounds diametrically opposed to a life that is rooted in substance abuse because such a lifestyle removes the gratification and delight that life has to offer.

Due to the fact that Rachael lacks the determination to succeed at doing much of anything in her life, it is obvious that she definitely needs a little bit of hope for a better life. And the sad thing is that hope is virtually everywhere around Rachael if she could only get to the place in life to get the therapy she needs for her mental illness and dependency and stick with her treatment protocol.

Constructive Change, Self Respect, and a Wonderful Life Are a Reality

Rachael is simply too young to be beaten in life. She doesn’t comprehend this right now but if she can learn how to abstain from alcohol and drugs through alcohol and drug therapy and get the treatment she needs for her mental health problem, she can redirect her life and start living with direction, self-respect, and passion.

A wonderful life, self esteem, and beneficial change are certainly a reality for Rachael if only she could become inspired to seek the professional treatment she requires, follow through with her treatment regimen, live her life in an alcohol and drug-free and healthy manner, and acquire a more positive attitude about her life.

It took quite a few years but Emily at long last made up her mind that she had enough with her husband’s careless drinking. She was weary from seeing Barry come home in the early hours of the morning from drinking rather than spending time with her and the children. She was also exhausted from the DUI Barry recently got. Moreover she was weary from creating reasons for her spouse when he couldn’t show up for work on time due to his problems with drinking. In a similar manner she was nervous and depressed about the fact that their relationship was going downhill due to Barry’s unhealthy and excessive drinking. And finally she was fed up from the risky financial quandary into which he had placed his family due to his hazardous drinking behavior.

When Abusive and Excessive Drinking Motivates a Person to do Something Affirmative About a Person’s Drinking Problem

One Monday evening when Emily was thinking about what she could do about her husband’s abusive drinking, she got to the point that she frankly had to do something helpful to cut into the destructive cycle of Barry’s unhealthy and excessive drinking behavior.

So she looked on the Internet under “alcohol treatment” and found several rehab facilities that were all located less than fifteen miles away from where Barry and she lived.

Because she didn’t know a lot about these rehab clinics, she at long last finally decided to call some of them and ask some important questions. When she called each treatment clinic she identified who she was and articulated that her husband was involved in hazardous and excessive drinking behavior. She also stated that Barry, her spouse, had a top quality health insurance program at his job and that outpatient or residential alcohol addiction treatment would be covered if a physician in the company health program suggested the treatment.

At one rehabilitation facility, Emily was stunned that she was able to communicate directly with a healthcare practitioner who asked her to come to the rehab clinic to go over her husband’s abusive and careless drinking behavior in much greater detail.

Emily Talks to a Healthcare Professional About Her Husband’s Abusive and Irresponsible Drinking

When Emily arrived at the rehabilitation clinic, she filled out some paperwork and then after around ten or fifteen minutes got to see a therapist.

After listening to Emily discuss her husband’s hazardous drinking, the healthcare professional in an encouraging but firm manner told Emily how she probably played a part in her spouse’s hazardous drinking through the years by making excuses for him rather than allowing him to suffer the outcomes of his hazardous and excessive drinking behavior.

Emily Finds Out She Has Been Enabling Her Husband’s Abusive and Excessive Drinking

More to the point, the physician told Emily that she may have been accidentally enabling Barry’s excessive and hazardous drinking behavior. The physician also highlighted the fact that while Emily could not control her spouse’s actions, with the support and guidance of the rehab team at the rehabilitation clinic she would not only be able to learn how to refrain from contributing to Barry’s hazardous drinking but she could also learn how to help him schedule an appointment at the rehab clinic so that he could talk about his hazardous and abusive drinking behavior with a therapist.

Fortunately after Emily revealed this to her husband, and he saw that she was serious, Barry told her that he had been quite uneasy with his hazardous and careless drinking behavior and that he was somewhat thankful to know that Emily wanted to do something helpful about his abusive and unhealthy drinking behavior. As a result, he made an appointment to see a therapist at the local alcohol treatment center.

Barry Agrees to Meet With a Physician About His Harmful Drinking

While simply calling a rehab center does not guarantee that an individual’s abusive and unhealthy drinking behavior will stop or that one’s warning signs of alcoholism or the alcohol abuse signs one manifests will simply fade away, calling for an appointment is obviously a necessary aspect in the treatment process. And due to the fact that Barry was serious about getting therapy for his unhealthy and excessive drinking, the likelihood of a successful recovery was significantly enhanced.

My pastor taught an interesting sermon today. The theme was “Refilling our Faith,” and the premise was one that we do not like to face: life with Jesus doesn’t always become ‘sweeter as the days go by’ in the words of an old hymn. In fact, at times, despite our best efforts to be pious and devout, if we were truly honest with ourselves and with others, we would have to face the fact that sometimes our faith just dwindles. Many times in monday to saturday life, we just feel a sense of emptiness. Isn’t this true?

Perhaps the reason comes from sickness, relationship problems, vanishing bank accounts, layoffs, gas price hikes or a hundred other stresses which attack us from every angle on any given day. Bottom line is, more often than we care to admit, we feel empty. Our faith, which is supposed to carry us on wings like eagles, doesn’t seem to even be able to lift us off the ground. (Isaiah 40:31)

How do we deal with it? We can deny it. Wear a Sunday morning smile on our faces and walk around saying, “I’m fine, thank you.” We can memorize more scripture in hope that a dogmatic habit will relieve the encroaching emptiness. We can seek medication for depression or enter into counseling, both of which have their appropriate place in health and healing. But I would like to suggest that making music a part or our quiet time, seeking healing through music that is grounded in the bible can bring about spiritual peace and hope.

More than two thousand years ago, the psalmist David discovered that music ushered in authentic interaction, even intimacy, with Almighty God. Psalm 42; Psalm 62-63. As Psalm 33:18 states, the One who created our hearts truly understands our every need and emotion.

So, when we feel empty, depressed, lonely, we can acknowledge our feelings, confess our fears, cry our tears in the presence of the only One who truly understands. This, in fact, is the only solution which can set us on the road to healing and peace.

When we notice an emptiness in our heart, those are the very times when we need to draw close to God in an attitude of worship. When our faith in Jesus seems to have lost power to move us, let alone move mountains, we can still run to our Savior as a refuge and a safe haven. I have found in my own journey of faith that in these seasons of emptiness, if I can just press into the Lord instead of turning away, I find not only comfort and rest, but a deep sense of safety and serenity.

There are two ways that I personally have learned how to push in even when I feel unspiritual, unmotivated, unworthy. The first is to just continue reading and dwelling] on the Bible. When I cannot raise up desire for an intense (or even a simple) Bible study, I open my Bible to a favorite verse, a psalm perhaps, and I read just a few words. Then I allow those words to sink into my spirit, and I pray for faith, for serenity, for hope, for whatever I need. The Lord never disappoints. It’s a promise He has made – when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. (James 4:8)

But mostly, the biggest way that I have learned to press into the Lord, to experience a spiritual connection even when my total being is depleted of energy and life, is through music. I believe that music is one of God’s most beautiful creations; and our ability to appreciate it – or create it – can be a direct way into His presence.

I have been playing the piano and singing most of my life, and music has become a personal prayer language for me. It has become the quickest way for me to enter into an attitude of worship, and the Lord has used music in my life as a method of making me delightfully restored.

So, the next time you feel empty or are needing emotional stability, invited the word of God to minister to you and the presence of God to be in you and around you. Try listening to (or creating if you are so inclined) music that is rooted in scripture.

Jesus offers a never-ending well of living water. (John 4:14) When we need to “refill our faith” we can go back to the well again and again and tell Him, “I need more!” Jesus answers, “Come!” Worship through music can be an avenue through which we come to that well.

Sheila Lloyd

Some expressions and ideas taken from sermon “Refilling Our Faith” by Pastor Brad Selan of Windhaven Church, www.windhavenchurch.com