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Feeling Down?
Tuesday, 31 March 2009.
Originally from express article 25 October 2006
By Di from Auckland Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS)
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| Diana Rands from CADS. |
You may have noticed the television advert with John Kirwan talking about depression? It is part of a national initiative by the Ministry of Health to reduce the impact of depression on the lives of New Zealanders.
They also have a really good, easy to use website www.depression.org.nz and a national Freephone service 0800 111 757.
So why is the Ministry of Health focussing on depression? Well it's because depression is a leading preventable cause of death and disease in New Zealand. It is preventable because professional and self-help strategies can make all the difference. The trick is to identify it as early as possible – and get help.
It is also important to understand the role of alcohol in depression.
Alcohol is often the first port of call if someone is feeling low it can however, really make things worse if used regularly.
The truth is that alcohol is a depressant. Sure in the short term it seems to work – giving you a lift, making you forget your troubles... But... there is evidence that alcohol changes the chemistry of the brain itself and this increases the risk of depression. This isn't evident when you're drinking; it's when you stop drinking that depression sets in. Anyone who has experienced a hangover can pay testimony to this.
Then of course are the other consequences of regular drinking – arguments, DIC’s, unreliable memory, sexual problems, violence... things that could really get you down.
I can hear you now – nah – it’s not really that bad – she’ll be right. Well, as I said in the last issue it may not be our own lives we are saving.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists states that in the UK 40% of men who try to kill themselves have had a long standing alcohol problem and 70% of those who succeed in killing themselves have drunk alcohol before doing so. Scary stuff – put this together with New Zealand statistics that have shown that young gay men are six times more likely to kill themselves than young heterosexual men – this is a gay issue for us all. It is time to start looking out for our queer brothers and sisters - even if it means stepping on toes.
The good news is that there is evidence that although many heavy drinkers feel depressed when they are drinking regularly, most will feel better within a few weeks of stopping. If they don’t, then there are effective psychotherapeutic interventions and anti-depression medication that can really make a difference.
I think it is great news for our queer communities that the Ministry of Health has launched this initiative, and I really encourage everyone to check out the website www.depression.org.nz. Read the information, complete the questionnaire, even if it does not relate to you – there could be someone in your life that it will be affecting.
If you have concerns about your own or someone else's alcohol or other drug use, or if you'd like more information, contact CADS on 845 1818 or www.cads.org.nz. If you live outside Auckland contact Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797.
> More items from Di's Drug Column
