With enough support and the right therapeutic interventions, depression is very much treatable.
A dual diagnosis (mental health issue with a substance use disorder) can make things more complicated. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find the help you need in a local facility.
Read on to learn more about depression treatment services in Boynton Beach.
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The Link Between Depression and Substance Abuse
Dual diagnosis is more common than you might think. In fact, some psychiatry experts go as far as saying that it’s the expectation now rather than the exception.
Why are depression and addiction so closely tied?
It might be because the risk factors for both conditions are a bit similar, from brain chemistry imbalances to past trauma and family history. Of course, it might also be because people tend to use substances to cope with their existing mental health problems.
Why Integrated Treatment Is the Way to Go
Integrated rehab specialists screen for both mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs). Then, they develop a treatment plan that tackles the two conditions simultaneously.
Here’s why this is the best approach:
Untreated Dual Diagnoses Is a Vicious Cycle
You might never figure out which disorder came first, but it’s clear that they feed into each other, creating a tough cycle to break. By leaving your depression untreated, you risk worsening your SUD.
The opposite is true, as well.
Say you take antidepressants, but you let your alcoholism fester. Your drinking habit itself can cause depression and rebound anxiety disorder. So, even though you’re getting treated for depression, your symptoms might only improve marginally.
Sequential Treatment Can Be Confusing
Seeking help for addiction or depression can be tricky since conditions are often more stigmatized than other medical conditions. So, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for providers to treat one aspect and let the patient find help for the other on their own.
The situation gets even more complicated when you consider that treatment is rarely a one-and-done thing. Patients need follow-up and aftercare. This translates to having to go back and forth between addiction treatment centers and mental health care providers.
In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that integrated treatment programs reduce the odds of patients getting lost, excluded, or confused.
Treatment Options for Co-Occurring Depression and SUDs
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognizes a few treatment options for depression, including psychotherapy, medications, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
The good news is that the APA also reports that depression is one of the most treatable mental disorders, with 70–90% of patients eventually responding to treatment.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the sort of treatment services you may receive for a dual diagnosis:
Medication Management
Many mental health issues can be tied to changes in brain chemistry. That’s why taking medications that return some balance to the brain can be incredibly beneficial for the treatment of depression.
Depending on the case specifics, psychiatrists prescribe antidepressant medications like:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs)
- Selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs)
- Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
As we mentioned earlier, treating depression can actually help the patient stay sober.
One study found that giving patients, who suffered from both depression and alcohol dependence, sertraline (an SSRI drug) and naltrexone not only curbed symptoms of depression. It also delayed relapses and reduced side effects.
Behavioral Therapies
Psychotherapy can be effective for treating depression. One common form used in dual diagnosis treatment programs is Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). At its core, CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps patients identify and replace harmful thinking patterns.
Every case is different, and every treatment plan needs to take its own course. But, generally speaking, psychotherapy can show significant improvements in 10–15 sessions.
TMS
In some cases, patients don’t respond to traditional treatment services. The depression persists, which might push the person into alcohol and/or drug abuse even further.
But there’s still hope.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS or rTMS) is FDA-approved for certain mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder.
TMS might sound like a complicated procedure. However, it’s a non-invasive way of stimulating the brain cells using magnetic fields. Mental health professionals use these fields to “wake up” underactive areas in the brain responsible for mood regulation and impulse control.
If you’re looking for brain stimulation treatment in Boynton Beach for yourself or for a loved one, don’t hesitate to contact Recreate Behavioral Health. Our behavioral health professionals use the clinically validated AMPA Health TMS system for treatment-resistant depression.
Support Groups
Besides therapy sessions and medications, peer support can be an integral part of the treatment plan. After all, support groups connect people with similar dual diagnoses, offering motivation, support, and recovery tips.
You can contact the Recreate Behavioral Health team if you need help finding support groups nearby. Alternatively, you can refer to Palm Beach County’s 211 Guide for mental health and substance abuse services.
Finding the “Right” Level of Care in Boynton Beach
Depression doesn’t always look the same. The symptoms and severity can vary a lot. In fact, there are several types of depression, including major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and persistent depressive disorder (also known as dysthymia).
Some dual diagnosis patients are referred to our outpatient treatment programs, where they attend scheduled therapy sessions.
Others, however, have more intense symptoms and need round-the-clock care. In these cases, inpatient programs are a better fit. Patients can stay on-site at the Recreate Life Counseling facility in Boynton Beach to complete their mental health treatment.
It’s worth noting that supervised detox might be needed before treatment. Alcohol withdrawals, for one, can be associated with suicidal thoughts, especially among people with a history of major depressive disorder. Detoxing in a safe facility with trained staff is often the best route.
Take the First Step Towards Comprehensive Healing Today
At Recreate Life Counseling, we understand that addiction and psychiatric disorders like depression are intertwined.
Our trained addiction professionals also know how different substances affect depression. And they put effort into crafting a dual diagnosis treatment approach that’s holistic, individualized, and evidence-based.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team for more information about treating depression in dual diagnosis cases.
Written by: The Recreate Life Counseling Editorial Team
Editor: Isaac Adams-Hands
Medically Reviewed by: MedicallyReviewed.com
Published on: March 1, 2026
Updated on: March 1, 2026
