Anxiety
Anxiety and Substance Abuse Treatment
Anyone who suffers from mental illness, in particular from anxiety, can tell you of the pressures and overwhelming fears that they face on a daily basis. It’s not surprising to learn then that the incidence of substance abuse is significantly higher among the population that suffers from anxiety or anxiety-related disorders.
There is no question that people suffering from anxiety have very real, overwhelming physical and mental symptoms to process. The problem is that, while the use of a substance does temporarily alleviate some of the symptoms and diminish some of the immediate physical and mental effects, this short term fix has serious long-term problems, stemming from a destructive cycle of abuse.
Anxiety patients often describe their lives as “out of control” as they don’t know when and where their anxiety might strike. On the surface, substance abuse may appear to allow the anxiety sufferer to gain some control, but the opposite is actually true.
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The Link Between Anxiety and Substance Abuse
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women are 60 percent more likely than men to experience anxiety over their lifetime. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting some 40 million Americans. Despite the fact that anxiety is a highly treatable disorder, only about a third of sufferers seek treatment. A large number of anxiety suffers attempt to self-medicate through the use of substances like drugs and alcohol.
With repeated use of substances to quell some of the immediate impacts of anxiety, the symptoms actually worsen. Anxiety carries its own set of serious physical and mental problems, and unfortunately, so does substance abuse; anxiety sufferers compound their problems with feelings of self-loathing, isolation, depression and poor physical health as a result of their engagement with drugs or alcohol.
Anxiety often does not exist in isolation, and is linked to other mental health issues and diseases like PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), eating disorders and, of course, substance abuse disorders.
Does Anxiety Cause Alcoholism and Drug Use?
It’s difficult to say if anxiety and mood disorders create substance abuse disorders or vice versa. Regardless of the cause, the negative impacts persist. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that of Americans who report having an anxiety or mood disorder, 20 percent engage in substance abuse. Similarly, 20 percent of those with a substance abuse problem report having an anxiety or mood disorder.
All anxiety disorders report a prevalence of substance abuse, but most commonly people with PTSD and Social Anxiety Disorder find themselves trying to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, episodes of PTSD are often linked to specific traumatic events or experiences, and drugs and alcohol often act as triggers, exacerbating PTSD symptoms.
Creating additional problems is the fact that some of the most effective treatments for anxiety and other mood disorders include medication. When anxiety sufferers mix excessive alcohol and/or drugs, they are creating a dangerous cocktail with potentially devastating consequences.
Treating Anxiety and Substance Abuse
When a patient has been diagnosed as suffering from both anxiety and substance abuse, it is called a Dual Diagnosis. This requires more specialized treatment techniques because each problem has its own set of physical and psychological symptoms.
At Beachway Therapy Center, our therapists have experience with Dual Diagnosis treatment including a wide range of anxiety disorders and how they pertain to substance abuse. When you are admitted to the facility, you will be thoroughly assessed, and a customized treatment schedule will be created. The treatment may include both group and private therapy, plus one or more holistic treatments offered by Beachway.
GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
GAD is among the most common of anxiety disorders and is characterized by a constant, at times irrational state of worry that persists for several months. These concerns fluctuate and move from topic to topic without resolution. The fears are very real to the person suffering from GAD, but often have little or no basis in fact, which makes it difficult to process and to cope.
Furthermore, GAD manifests itself in many physical symptoms, like dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting, increased pulse, dizziness and heart palpitations. It’s hard enough to manage these physical symptoms, but a substance abuse issue can actually intensify the physical effects. Treatment often involves medication, therapy and behavior modification exercises.
The Holistic Approach to Substance Abuse Treatment
While drug therapy is sometimes necessary to successfully treat anxiety and substance abuse, Beachway is known for its holistic approach to recovery. Some of the methods we use include equine therapy, music therapy, psychodrama, art therapy, nutrition and fitness therapy and faith-based therapy. Holistic treatment allows patients to relate to their condition in an entirely different way, gaining insight and improving the odds for a successful recovery.
Once treatment has been completed, a comprehensive aftercare program ensures patients remain on necessary medications and stay away from the triggers that could cause a relapse. Stressful situations will always be a part of life, so implementing the skills learned in rehab is essential to prevent patients from falling into the same routines. The education and relapse prevention tools provided at Beachway are second to none, which is why patients routinely walk away from rehab with a new lease on life.
Regardless of the type of anxiety disorder you or your loved one suffers from; there is a light at the end of the tunnel. While substance abuse might seem like a natural coping mechanism, it always does more harm than good, and there is always a better way.
Treating an anxiety disorder in tandem with a substance abuse problem can be challenging, which is why it best to employ a comprehensive approach. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an act of bravery that will change your life.