Substance Abuse Common Among Sufferers of S.A.D.

Substance Abuse Common Among Sufferers of S.A.D.

Many of us feel sad and less energetic during the winter months. That “I can’t wait for winter to end” feeling. But according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), an estimated 6% of Americans feel more than just the winter blues. They experience a more severe form of winter depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

While the symptoms of SAD vary a great deal, Mayo Clinic reports that they usually involve the following:

Irritability
Tiredness or low energy
Problems getting along with other people
Hypersensitivity to rejection
Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs
Oversleeping
Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
Weight gain
SAD is especially dangerous for people in drug or alcohol addiction recovery. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that drug and alcohol abuse is a common problem among patients who are diagnosed with depressive disorders like S.A.D., reporting that more than 20% of patients diagnosed with any mood disorder are also living with a substance abuse problem. Additionally, NIDA found that more than 20% of those diagnosed with a depression disorder abused drugs and alcohol.

If you are in recovery and suspect that you are experiencing the symptoms of S.A.D., the sooner you get help, the better. Here are some things to try:

• Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day, getting enough sleep each night.
• Exercise regularly and eat healthy.
• Meditation, yoga and tai chi have been shown to help manage the symptoms of S.A.D.
• Brighten up your room or workspace as much as possible, preferably with natural light.

And remember…. help is just a phone call away. The trained clinicians at Kiva Recovery can work with you to help you avoid the temptation to self-medicate during these difficult times and keep you on the path to lifelong recovery.

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Gus Stieber is Director of Clinical Outreach Services at Kiva Recovery, a substance abuse treatment and recover center located in Vernon Hills. www.KivaRecovery.com