Individuals who suffer from anxiety will often use drugs or alcohol to help relieve their symptoms and feel less self-conscious/more a tease in social settings. The problem is that anxiety gets in the way of realizing when they are going over-board with the drug intake. The sufferer won’t recognize that they have an anxiety disorder that must be treated professionally, not by abusing drugs and alcohol. This also creates a vicious cycle, since the misuse of drugs and alcohol can cause similar symptoms to anxiety, such as: uneasiness, agitation, irritability and obsessive fears. This will lead to further substance abuse.
Eventually, the person will become addicted to the substances. This is so due to two chemical realities:
- The brain’s receptors progressively adapt to the presence of the drugs and alcohol, until the person can only be in a relaxed state by activating these receptors with more of the substances.
- The brain’s tolerance to the substances develops, therefore, the person will need even more of the substances in order to ease the symptoms of anxiety.
Recent studies on anxiety and substance abuse have proven the following statistics:
- 10 to 40 percent of people that are addicted to alcohol also suffer from panic disorder.
- 10 to 20 percent of people with an anxiety disorder are also addicted to alcohol or drugs.
- Most of the study’s participants admitted that their alcohol abuse came as a result of their anxiety disorder.
Addiction and Anxiety- Dual Diagnosis
When a person suffers from both substance abuse and anxiety (or any other mental illness) together, it is referred to as ‘co-occurring disorder,’ or ‘dual diagnosis.’ Here are several reasons why anxiety can trigger substance abuse or vice versa:
- Self-managing symptoms- The person with the anxiety disorder will rely on alcohol or drugs to help them manage their symptom, whether physical or psychological. In other words, the alcohol and drugs are used as a coping mechanism or even a form of self-medication.
- Biochemical factors- chemical imbalances in the brain affect both substance use disorders and anxiety.
- Genetic predisposition- It’s been proven that anxiety and substance abuse have a genetic component. Therefore, people who are susceptible to anxiety may also be prone to substance abuse if both are common in family members.
- Effects of substance abuse or withdrawal- Abusing drugs will lead to symptoms that are identical to those of anxiety. Upon withdrawal, the person will experience anxiety as the brain tries to revert to its initial state.
Here are some behaviors which can act as signs to determine whether one has a co-occurring disorder:
- Using drugs or alcohol to cope with: negative emotions, situations that tend to frighten, pain, bad moods, or focus maintenance.
- Noticing a relationship between anxiety and substance abuse, e.g. realizing that alcohol consumption is always the solution to anxiety.
- Feeling anxious despite being sober.
- After being treated for substance abuse, the treatment failed due to mental health issues, or vice versa.
Anxiety and Addiction Treatment
The first step towards anxiety and addiction recovery is a thorough assessment to uncover all symptoms and behaviors. Then, both conditions are treated simultaneously in order to effectively recover. If only addiction is treated, it’s likely that the individual will return to substance abuse since he still suffers from anxiety. Conversely, if just anxiety is addressed, the continued substance abuse will lead to anxiety!
In cases where the person is heavily dependent on substance abuse, medical detox is the initial phase of treatment. The withdrawal symptoms can be very difficult to deal with; hence, a treatment facility is the best option to help the body learn how to function without the drugs or alcohol in a calm, clean and supportive atmosphere. Stabilizing medications, such as opioid agonists, might be administered by a doctor to help relive the difficult symptoms, which are often related to anxiety. To help manage anxiety in the longer- term, SSRI medications (paroxetine or escitalopram) or SNRI’s (duloxetine or venlafaxine) will be prescribed.
Rehab Treatment Options for Anxiety and Addiction
Outlined below are commonly used rehab treatments:
- Therapy and counselling- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are the most effective forms of therapy for anxiety and addiction. Here one is guided on how to identify negative thoughts, develop coping mechanisms and manage the anxiety and cravings.
- Holistic practices- This includes meditation, yoga, exercise, art therapy. These activities can promote self-care, stress reduction and emotional regulation; as-well as serving as healthy outlets for managing anxiety and lessening the likelihood of relapse.
- Group therapy- This allows the patient to connect with others that are in the same position and gain from peer support and reassurance. It also reduces the feelings of isolation which are typically associated with anxiety disorders and addiction.
Anxiety vs. Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness, such as worry, fear or dread, usually in regard to an upcoming event or an event with an unknown outcome, such as a job interview, medical test or an exam. Anxiety is a natural response when one feels under threat, and it can be experienced through our thoughts, feelings and physical sensations. Surprisingly to many, anxiety isn’t necessarily a negative thing; it can help you stay alert and cautious, help you remain aware of danger or risks, and prompt you to act when faced with danger or a challenging situation. Anxiety occurs when the amygdala – an area in the brain which percepts emotions - senses trouble, and subsequently releases stress hormones and adrenaline to make the body respond quickly and powerfully.
If anxiety interferes or disrupts your quality of life (i.e. it is ongoing, intense or out of proportion with your challenge) you may be diagnosed with anxiety disorder. A person with anxiety disorder will experience the following chronic symptoms:
- Restlessness
- Physical weakness
- Feeling on edge
- Irritability
- Sweaty hands
- Tense muscles
- Constant worry
- Difficulty concentrating
- Easily fatigued
- Sleeping difficulties
Types of Anxiety Disorders and Their Symptoms
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): This is the most common form of anxiety. Generalizded anxiety disored is long-term anxiety. Here the sufferer feels anxious on a constant basis, despite there being no genuine reason to worry. The person will worry about everyday issues such as financial situations, relationships or health.
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD): This is also known as ‘social phobia,’ where the person suffering will have an irrational fear or dread of interacting with others or being in a social setting. It’s a relentless fear of being judged or embarrassed, and sufferers will actually go to great lengths to avoid any social interactions. This condition affects close to 15 million U.S. adults, and is not to be confused with ordinary shyness.
- Panic disorder: With panic disorder, the person will have sudden panic attacks for no legitimate reason. They will experience a pounding heart, sweat profusely, tremble, feel weak and dizzy, and have difficulty breathing. The sufferer will also have an intense fear of having another panic attack and will therefore avoid situations that might trigger one.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This is anxiety that arises after having experienced trauma. An estimated 8 million Americans who suffered a trauma will show symptoms of PTSD. Flashbacks to the event, insomnia, nightmares and paranoia are symptoms of this disorder.
- Phobia: This is an overwhelming, debilitating fear of specific objects, places, animals, situations or feelings. People with phobias will go out of their way to avoid the object of their fear, despite it interfering with their daily life. Common phobias include:
- Claustrophobia – fear of enclosed space
- Aviophobia- fear of flying
- Acrophobia- fear of heights
Conclusion
Someone suffering from anxiety and substance abuse will likely find it difficult to reach out for help since they’re both sensitive and personal topics. Upon being approached about one’s conditions, the individual will likely respond in denial and become offensive. It might be helpful to have more than one person intervening, preferably a close family member or friend who is able to be non-judgmental and compassionate. Without intervention, the addiction will get worse and lead to deteriorating health conditions, injury or even death.
Henceforth, if you, or someone you know suffers from this co-occurring disorder, and desires an improved quality of life, reach out to us at Avenues Recovery to learn how we can help you reach this goal. Our staff are highly trained and are experts at helping people battle their addictions and turn their lives around. Contact us today to put an end to your suffering, and start the path towards a brighter, happier and healthier future.