Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people every day. Many times, instead of dealing with their anxiety in healthy ways, people turn to drugs and alcohol for relief. If you struggle with anxiety, you should be aware of the connection between anxiety and substance abuse to understand better how anxiety can cause addiction and make the recovery process more difficult.
Recovery Ranch PA welcomes people from all walks of life who are struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD) brought on by their anxiety. Call 717.969.9126 today to speak with our dedicated team for more information regarding our dual diagnosis treatment services.
Understanding the Connection Between Anxiety and Substance Abuse
Anxiety is a common mental health condition. It’s so common that millions of people choose to use drugs or alcohol or abuse their prescription medication to feel better and less anxious. Unfortunately, what they don’t understand is that they’ll slowly develop a substance use disorder that can be just as crippling as their anxiety.
Anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorders, social anxiety disorders, and other phobia-related conditions have many different causes that depend on the person’s family background. If a child’s parents have an anxiety disorder, they may be more susceptible to developing similar conditions and SUDs.
Other contributing factors for anxiety and addiction include:
- Environmental factors – This includes exposure to trauma, chronic stress, major life changes, and parental substance abuse.
- Social and cultural influences – Certain social or cultural environments may promote the use of drugs and alcohol and lead to an addiction.
- Substance-induced anxiety – Substance abuse can cause a person to develop an anxiety disorder or worsen an existing one.
If you drink or use drugs to cope with symptoms of anxiety, you have a co-occurring disorder. Co-occurring disorders happen when symptoms of one condition trigger an addiction.
Recovery Ranch PA can treat anxiety and SUDs through our co-occurring disorder treatment program. We’ll create a supportive and effective recovery experience that includes medical support, behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and other holistic therapies.
Treating Co-Occurring Disorders
While there’s no cure for addiction, treating co-occurring disorders is more than possible. This program can help you get through the detox stage, work through the reasons behind the abuse, and treat the behaviors it creates.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
This psychotherapeutic tool is one of the most successful in treating co-occurring disorders and other types of mental health conditions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps patients recognize negative or bad behaviors that are triggered by their anxiety or substance abuse. Instead of giving in to cravings, you recite a personal mantra or simply step away and call a sponsor or trusted friend.
Other types of behavioral therapy that can help with anxiety and substance abuse symptoms include:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
Treatment programs also use holistic therapies to develop improved life skills and other means of coping with your symptoms.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Using medication to treat addiction withdrawals, cravings, and anxiety symptoms is safe and can help you stay committed to recovery. Medical staff will administer medications based on your individual treatment plan. They’ll monitor you for any negative side effects and make adjustments to the dosage as necessary.
As your symptoms disappear, they’ll begin to taper you off the medication until no longer necessary.
Peer Support
During group therapy, you’ll have a chance to bond with your peers by participating in group discussions, role-playing games, group outings, and other holistic activities. The relationships you build will become life-long friendships that’ll be there for you when you have a bad day. You’ll help each other stay on your sober path when triggers and cravings return.
Enroll in a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program Today at Recovery Ranch PA
Recovery Ranch PA invites Pennsylvania residents who are struggling with a co-occurring disorder of anxiety and substance abuse. To learn more about treating anxiety and substance abuse, send us a message online or call 717.969.9126 today to schedule a consultation and tour of our discreet location.
