Substance Induced Depressive Disorder
- A form of depression that is directly caused by using alcohol, drugs, or medications.
- Unlike the temporary hangover or crash from alcohol or drug use the feelings and symptoms last for much longer.
- Most important is that Depression did not exist prior to the use of alcohol, drugs or various medications.
- There must be severe symptoms that are not in the period of intoxication or withdrawal (i.e. the symptoms last for a period of time).
- Interestingly there are substances that can have the onset of depression during intoxication or during withdrawal.
Medications Commonly Known to Cause Depression
- Steroids (prednisone)
- L-dopa (Parkinsons disease)
- Certain Antibiotics
- Chemotherapeutic agents
- Immunological suppressants
- Dermatological agent (certain acne medicines)
Alcohol and Drugs that May Cause Depression
- Alcohol
- Cocaine (often referred to as the cocaine “crash”)
- Anxiolytic (Xanax, klonopin)
- Amphetamine
- Hallucinogen
- Inhalant (spray paint, nitrous)
- Opioid (heroin)
- Sedative
- Hypnotic