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If you suffer from anxiety, know that you are not alone. Many individuals struggle with anxiety and co-occurring substance use disorders. However, there are many types of treatment available that can help you manage your condition and live a fulfilling life. If anxiety has kept you from being successful in recovery in the past, dual diagnosis treatment could help you make lasting changes in your life. Read on to learn more about our dual diagnosis treatment program at Ethan Crossing Recovery. Our team is here to help you get the help you need so you can become your happiest, healthiest, and most fulfilled self.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

Although most people feel anxious at some point in their lives, people with a diagnosed anxiety disorder experience more persistent and severe symptoms. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, 40 million adults are affected by anxiety every year. Although there are many different kinds of anxiety disorders, you may be experiencing some common symptoms of anxiety, including:

  • Racing thoughts
  • Sweating
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Intense worry
  • Chest tightness or pressure
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Sense of danger or doom

Anxiety can be debilitating and many individuals who struggle with anxiety turn to drugs and alcohol to cope. In our substance abuse treatment center, we can address both substance abuse issues and anxiety simultaneously.

The Connection Between Anxiety and Addiction

anxiety treatment program at a recovery center in ohioAnxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. However, if you experience excessive worry, fear, or physical signs of stress, you may be struggling with an anxiety disorder. For example, maybe you are watching television with friends but suddenly begin to feel afraid. There are no reasonable causes for you to feel stressed in this instance. Unprompted anxiety or persistent feelings of worry could be signs of an anxiety disorder. Panic attacks can also be a physical and psychological sign of anxiety issues. There are many types of anxiety disorders. Above all, most of them involve excessive worry. However, each anxiety disorder features different symptoms and triggers. Thes different types of anxiety include:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder – This disorder creates a near-constant undercurrent of fear.
  • Social anxiety disorder – This disorder features intense symptoms of anxiety. Your anxiety is usually triggered by being around other people.
  • Panic disorder – This condition causes brief periods of intense anxiety that trigger the fight or flight response.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder – Individuals with this disorder suffer from obsessive or compulsive thoughts. These thoughts usually result in repetitive behaviors to lessen the discomfort of anxiety.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder – PTSD stems from an individual undergoing or witnessing traumatic events.

Additionally, many of those who struggle with addiction also face anxiety issues. Anxiety and worry can lead some individuals to turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. Over time, substance abuse and addiction can exacerbate feelings of anxiety, and it can take a specialized addiction treatment program to overcome this issue.

HOW IS ANXIETY TREATED?

Anxiety is usually treated with evidence-based psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). CBT helps people learn new skills such as mindfulness, meditation, and breathing techniques to cope with their symptoms more effectively.

CBT also uses exposure therapy to safely and incrementally introduce people to triggering situations, helping them conquer their fears. People with severe symptoms may benefit from taking anti-anxiety medication, which may include antidepressants that are used to treat anxiety disorders.

Using a compassionate approach that considers each individual’s specific history and circumstances, a combination of treatments may be used to help people manage their symptoms. 

WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY?

Anxiety is a complex issue, which makes it difficult to pinpoint exactly what triggers it, as each individual has a unique psychological makeup and personal history to consider.

People that are more neurotic, for example, are more likely to develop anxiety and depression, but there are a number of other factors that can contribute to someone developing an anxiety disorder, including: 

  • Substance abuse disorders
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Childhood trauma or other traumatic events
  • Unmanageable stress 
  • Having an existing mental health issue 

Inpatient and Outpatient Dual Diagnosis Treatment

There are several treatments for addiction and anxiety. An experienced addiction treatment professional can determine what type of treatment program in Springfield, OH is right for you. This could include either an outpatient treatment program or an inpatient treatment program:

  • Outpatient treatment – You’ll live at home while participating in therapy and learning healthy coping skills.
  • Inpatient treatment – This form of treatment involves a full-time stay at a residential treatment center. You will be immersed in a calm, healing environment while you focus on learning to cope with triggers for relapse and anxiety.

While not every individual who suffers from anxiety and addiction requires inpatient treatment, many can benefit from it. Removing yourself from daily stressors and triggers brings relief.

Sources:

https://greenhousetreatment.com/co-occurring-disorders/anxiety-and-addiction/

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics

Group Therapy for Addiction and Anxiety

Many people who suffer from anxiety also benefit from attending online or in-person support groups. These groups also exist on social media so you can have access to a whole network of support. By talking to others who suffer from anxiety and addiction, you can learn more about your condition so you do not have to suffer alone.

Reach Out to Ethan Crossing Today

Anxiety can be overwhelming and difficult to deal with alone, especially if you also struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol. At Ethan Crossing, we focus on recovery that lasts a lifetime, and we offer several tools to help you get there. These include:

Reach out to us today at 937-646-7795 so you can learn about our addiction treatment center in Ohio. We are ready to help you overcome anxiety and substance abuse and live a life without stressful triggers.