We know that most drinkers with depression will begin to feel better within a few weeks of stopping alcohol. Therefore, it's generally best to address alcohol first and then treat depression later if you haven't woken up after a few weeks. Feelings of depression after stopping drinking are a completely normal, albeit uncomfortable, side effect of long-term alcohol consumption. Depression in people with alcohol use disorder can be a sign of mental illness that has been present from the beginning or that can develop after stopping drinking.
In both cases, treatment at a dual-diagnosis addiction treatment center can help. Managing symptoms of depression is important for your long-term sobriety, and you shouldn't be afraid to seek help when depression starts to interfere with your life. Withdrawal occurs because the brain becomes accustomed to the depressive effects of alcohol. These chemical changes affect the way nerve cells communicate with each other.
Over time, the nervous system can become nervous when there is no alcohol in the system. This gets worse the more you drink.
