Substance abuse and depression are often intricately connected. Many drug and alcohol addicts turn to—and ultimately get trapped by—drugs or alcohol when they attempt to self-treat depression. In these cases, depression often sparks substance abuse. On the other hand, some addicts develop depression alongside or in response to their alcohol or drug use. No matter which comes first, substance abuse and depression can feed into one another until both conditions seem far to overwhelming to overcome. If this is the case for you or someone you love, don’t lose hope. A treatment center with dual diagnosis can help you or your loved one find lasting freedom.