Why should I avoid alcohol and drugs if I have depression?

It's tempting to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to cope with the symptoms of major depression, but with a history of depression, you're more vulnerable to negative side effects when the alcohol or drugs wear off. Feeling down or hopeless after you use alcohol or drugs ups the chances that you'll use more alcohol or drugs to squash bad feelings. To make matters worse, it can cause dangerous interactions with antidepressants and other medications, and interfere with healthy sleep, eating, and exercise habits. Ask yourself, "Am I using alcohol or drugs to feel better?" If the answer is "yes" or you have trouble answering honestly, talk to your doctor about getting help. Recovery from depression can't happen until you address substance abuse problems.

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