By: James E. DelGenio MS, LCPC
Senior Staff Therapist,
The Family Institute at Northwestern University

Why are mood disorders and alcoholism often found in the same individual?
The answers here are not completely understood. Some doctors have told me that the sites in the brain that are affected by mood disorders are the same sites affected by addiction. Regardless of the chemistry, research has shown that just casual use of alcohol by a person with a mood disorder may eventually result in abuse or dependence. If you have a severe mood disorder, you shouldn’t have any!

At least see how drinking affects your mood in the 3 days that follow alcohol use. Track it; give yourself a mood score from one to 10, ten being the best. Maybe you can limit alcohol use to one or two drinks twice per week and see if that helps. If you see in charting your mood that it does effect you negatively, than you shouldn’t have any. The consequences are just not worth it. If you can’t stick to two twice a week, you may need alcohol treatment.

Zoom! Now I can work via zoom with anyone, anywhere in the country and it may still be covered by BCBS Insurance.  Call James E. DelGenio MS, LCPC, Senior Staff Therapist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, 847-733-4300 Ext 638.

http://jamesdelgenio.com
http://family-institute.org
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Disclaimer: This material is meant to be used in conjunction with psychiatric treatment, medication, if necessary, and supportive therapy.  Always share this material and your questions about this material with your doctor and therapist.