Mental health and substance use are often linked. When this occurs, the relationship between the two can become quite complex, influencing the other in harmful ways. A co-occurring disorder is when a substance use disorder coincides with a mental health issue.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common mental health concerns in such cases. Characterized by persistent and intense worry, a person with GAD may encounter long-term challenges, such as substance use and addiction, which can exacerbate their anxiety.
Woodland Recovery Center offers co-occurring disorder treatment, which can be beneficial in addressing both anxiety and substance use issues simultaneously. This integrated approach acknowledges the interconnection between mental health and addiction, providing a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all aspects of a person’s well-being. Call 662.222.2989 to learn more about the connection between anxiety and addiction and how treatment can help.
What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental health condition marked by persistent and overwhelming fear and anxiety to the extent a person cannot control these feelings. Reaching excessive levels, these states of mind may occur for no clear reason and may even arise with the mere thought of facing a single day. This can drastically affect a person’s quality of life by interfering with their day-to-day activities and responsibilities.
Symptoms of generalized anxiety include:
- Becoming easily tired or lethargic
- Feeling restless, agitated, or tense
- Trouble concentrating or holding onto thoughts
- Becoming irritable
- Muscles become tense
- Poor sleep quality (can’t fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling rested)
Many of these things may lead to adverse effects that trigger or worsen anxiety. For instance, a person who struggles to sleep or concentrate may fall behind in their work duties, becoming anxious about job security, finances, etc.
The Connection Between Generalized Anxiety and Addiction
The link between addiction and anxiety can’t be dismissed. Substance use is a common coping mechanism for those struggling with anxiety, as drugs and alcohol can provide temporary relief from the distressing symptoms. However, this self-medication can quickly turn into substance use and addiction.
The connection between these two conditions is complex. As anxiety puts a person on high alert, creating a constant onslaught of negative thoughts and emotions, some individuals may be prone to substance use in an attempt to reduce these symptoms. What many of these people may not know is that these behaviors only serve to accelerate the existing anxiety over time.
Over time, a person may develop a tolerance to the substance, finding that they need more to create the same pleasurable effect. As this occurs, physical dependence may take hold. If this continues, with repeated and chronic use, the compulsive habits of addiction may quickly follow, granting the anxiety a further hold over your life.
How Do Anxiety and Substance Abuse Interact?
These two mental health concerns, when combined, bring a host of adverse effects to the individual who suffers from them. Standing alone, generalized anxiety and certain substance use disorders can create:
- Intense fatigue
- Edginess
- Restlessness
- Mood instability
- Irritability
- Fear
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Social isolation
- Increased risk of certain diseases
They can also significantly impair a person’s ability to focus, sleep properly, or carry out the requisite tasks of their career, educational pursuits, or family obligations. Combined, these two conditions can compound these adverse effects, along with numerous others. Both of these conditions, if left untreated, carry heightened risks of a person developing another co-occurring disorder.
The Benefits of Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorders and Addiction
As both of these conditions have great potential to aggravate the other, effective addiction treatment must address each concurrently. This is to say, if a person only treats one, when they enter into life after recovery, the untreated condition may create triggers or stress, which could cause a person to relapse. A thorough treatment program will address these co-occurring disorders by utilizing a variety of treatment modalities.
These can include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Family therapy and support
- Peer support groups
- Individual and group therapy sessions
By addressing both anxiety and addiction together, a person can learn healthy coping mechanisms to manage their symptoms without turning to substances. Treatment also provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore the underlying causes of their disorders and develop effective strategies for long-term recovery.
How to Determine if Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment Is the Right Option?
Determining if co-occurring disorder treatment is the right option involves looking for signs in daily life that indicate both anxiety and substance use are impacting your well-being. If you find yourself struggling to manage your anxiety and noticing that your use of drugs or alcohol is increasing, it might be time to consider this type of treatment.
Here are some indicators:
- You can’t stop using substances even though you want to
- Your anxiety feels uncontrollable and affects your school, work, or relationships
- You feel sad, worried, or hopeless most of the time
- Substances are used to cope with stress or daily problems
- You experience withdrawal or negative feelings when you try to cut back
- Both conditions seem to make each other worse
If these points sound familiar, seeking help through co-occurring disorder treatment can provide a path to managing both struggles together effectively.
Contact Woodland Recovery Center to Start Your Journey to Healing and Overcoming Addiction
We realize that co-occurring disorders can change the landscape of your life. While these things make treatment more complex, they do not make it impossible. At Woodland Recovery Center, we are committed to delivering evidence-based care that can aid you in finding sobriety and making the positive and lasting changes that are essential to a successful recovery. Call us today at 662.222.2989 or contact us online to get help from our team of compassionate professionals.
