Depression and Relapse

Depression is a significant complicating factor in recovery from substance use disorders. Nearly all substance abusers show significant depression in the first several weeks of recovery. In most cases, the depression quickly subsides. Others, however, suffer from serious bouts of depression throughout their recovery. Fortunately the recovery plans for addiction and depression are closely related. Many of things that help people stay comfortably sober also help them manage their depression. This means that a recovery plan meets the needs of both addiction and depression can be developed. They already know and have practiced many of the recovery skills needed to manage depression. All they need to do is learn the few additional techniques that are outlined in this book.

Depression is a significant complicating factor in recovery from substance use disorders. Nearly all substance abusers show significant depression in the first several weeks of recovery. In most cases, the depression quickly subsides. Others, however, suffer from serious bouts of depression throughout their recovery. Fortunately the recovery plans for addiction and depression are closely related. Many of things that help people stay comfortably sober also help them manage their depression. This means that a recovery plan meets the needs of both addiction and depression can be developed. They already know and have practiced many of the recovery skills needed to manage depression. All they need to do is learn the few additional techniques that are outlined in this book.

Terence T. Gorski is an internationally recognized expert on substance abuse, mental health, violence, and crime. He is best known for his contributions to relapse prevention, managing chemically dependent offenders, and developing community-based teams for managing the problems of alcohol, drugs, violence, and crime. He has extensive experience working with employee assistance programs (EAP) and has special expertise in working with emergency professionals including fire, medical, and law enforcement. He is a prolific author who has published hundreds of books and articles. He is also the founded The CENAPS®. Corporation in 1982, which is a private training and consultation firm committed to providing the most advanced training in the chemical dependency and behavioral health fields. Mr. Gorski can be contacted at: Terence T. Gorski CENAPS 13194 Spring Hill Drive Spring Hill, FL 34609 352-596-8000