Anxiety and substance abuse are strongly linked. Many people who struggle with anxiety disorders often turn to substances like drugs and alcohol in an attempt to manage their anxiety symptoms. However, this only leads to a cycle of substance and alcohol dependence that only worsens the anxiety, making the addiction recovery process complicated.
To understand how anxiety and addiction are connected, you need to know what anxiety disorders are and how they affect people. Below are the effects of anxiety and how it influences substance abuse disorders.
What Are Anxiety Disorders?
An anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that causes excessive fear, anxiety, and behavioral disturbances. Some levels of anxiety can be normal since everyone has a moment when they get stressed and anxious. However, for those who suffer from anxiety disorders, the triggers for anxiety attacks can be random and constant.
Anxiety is a feeling that warns you of impending danger. It could be a physical, mental, or emotional danger, like feeling anxious about an upcoming job interview. You may worry that you have not adequately prepared.
People with anxiety disorders, along with other mental health disorders, may experience high levels of anxiety beyond what is expected when faced with the same situation. Rather than only worrying about not doing well in the interview, they may spiral into negative thoughts like never getting a job, failing at life, etc.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can manifest in the body in various ways. Some of the physical symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating or chills
- Insomnia
- Increased heart rate
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Overwhelming feelings of fear or dread
- Dry mouth
These symptoms can be draining and impair your daily life. These symptoms can also be a sign of another medical condition or other mental disorders, but knowing what situations trigger your panic attack may help you determine whether or not you suffer from anxiety. Most experts recommend enrolling in a first aid and CPR course Windsor to learn the essentials to help someone experiencing anxiety, whether a family member, a friend, or someone on the street.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders include an extensive range of conditions. The most common types include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder is the predominant form of anxiety. People with GAD symptoms often experience chest pain, difficulty concentrating on tasks, and physical symptoms like muscle tension and fatigue. They also experience chronic feelings of anxiety and constant fear of being attacked at any moment.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
While many people experience a certain level of anxiety in social settings or performance situations, social anxiety disorder makes people have a more intense fear of these events. Some of the symptoms that identify SAD include:
- Fear of acting in a way that may embarrass or make people reject you
- Fear that is not proportional to the actual situation or threat
- Anxiety or avoidance that lasts for more than 6 months
These fears may make an individual avoid social gatherings to prevent feeling overly self-conscious about how they may appear to people around them.
Panic Disorder
If an individual experiences random panic attacks that result in shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and intense fear, they may have panic disorder.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is a type of anxiety disorder that involves the compulsive and uncontrollable need to do certain things repetitively. It could be excessive cleaning, arranging items in a specific order, or being hyper-aware of your natural body processes like breathing.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Traumatic experiences often trigger PTSD. These traumatic experiences could be car accidents, war, or even natural disasters. Your brain may be triggered by situations that remind you of traumatic events, forcing you to relive the moment.
How Anxiety Can Lead To Substance Abuse
People with anxiety disorders often look for relief from their symptoms by turning to substances like alcohol and drugs. This is known as self-medication. For example, someone with a substance use disorder and social anxiety disorder may depend on drinking alcohol to feel more comfortable in social settings. Additionally, those with a panic disorder may use prescription medications to calm their nerves.
Alcohol and drug abuse may provide temporary relief, which can quickly lead to substance use disorders. Using drugs regularly to manage anxiety can result in a dangerous cycle between addiction and anxiety symptoms.
Over time, the body becomes dependent on these substances, making it hard to function without them. Substance use can worsen anxiety symptoms, compelling individuals to use more substances to cope. This is very problematic, especially for individuals with co-occurring anxiety disorders, where anxiety and addiction fuel each other.
Co-occurring Anxiety and Addiction
In many cases, anxiety disorders commonly co occur with drug or alcohol addiction, meaning they exist at the same time. Individuals with co-occurring anxiety and addiction go through unique challenges, as these two conditions often intensify each other. For example:
- Alcohol misuse can lead to increased anxiety, especially during periods of alcohol withdrawal, where individuals experience heightened anxiety, tremors, and panic attacks.
- Addictive substance abuse can worsen existing anxiety disorders and may even cause new mental health disorders to develop.
- The presence of environmental factors like a family history of mental illness or exposure to traumatic life events can raise the risk of developing substance use disorders and anxiety disorders.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, co-occurring disorders require specialized treatment for effectively treating anxiety disorders along with addiction treatment, known as dual diagnosis treatment. This is because treating one condition while ignoring the other often leads to treatment failure.
Risk Factors for Co-occurring Disorders
Certain factors can increase an individual’s chances of developing co-occurring mental health disorders like substance use disorders and anxiety. these include:
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
- Environmental factors
- Stress
- Age
These risk factors can contribute highly to the development of co-occurring disorders.
Treatment Options for Co-occurring Disorders
There are numerous options for treating co-occurring disorders. The most successful treatment options include:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a reputable method used to treat anxiety and substance use disorders. It helps individuals identify negative thoughts and behaviors, helping them develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy: This is a type of treatment that helps individuals to reduce self-harm behaviors like drug use.
- Counseling: Addiction and anxiety disorders can be treated with therapy and counseling.
- Prescription Medication: In some cases, prescription medications can help manage anxiety symptoms. A mental health professional should prescribe these medications to prevent dependence.
- Treatment Programs: Treatment programs like those offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can provide a structured environment where an individual can see a mental health professional who can diagnose Generalized Anxiety Disorder and focus on recovery.
- Detox: A detox, under medical supervision, can be a method used for treatment. This involves removing traces of harmful substances from your system.
If you or a loved one are suffering from co-occurring anxiety disorders and addiction, like alcohol use disorder, understanding the need to address both your addiction and anxiety disorder will be essential in the treatment outcome and in achieving a full recovery.
The Importance of Treating Anxiety Disorders in Substance Abuse Treatment
The relationship between anxiety and addiction is complicated, but recovery is possible with the right support and treatment. By understanding how stressful life events, environmental factors, and mental health disorders are interconnected, individuals can find healthier ways to cope and reclaim their lives.
Taking the first step toward recovery is challenging, but it is also the most crucial one. With the help of mental health professionals, supportive therapy, and a strong community, individuals can overcome both anxiety and addiction, leading to a healthier, more fulfilling life.