Anxiety and Addiction

Nearly half of all people dealing with a substance abuse problem also have a mental health disorder. Since both mental health and substance abuse disorders impact your brain chemistry, specifically how much neurotransmitters your brain releases, having co-occurring disorders can make recovery more difficult. Anxiety and addiction impact several million Americans each year. Treatment from a dual diagnosis treatment center in Florida can greatly improve your ability to maintain recovery.

Mental health and substance abuse disorders impact tens of millions of Americans annually. More than 10% of adults struggle with a substance abuse issue each year, while another 20% battle mental health disorders. While mental health and substance abuse disorders are common, less than half seek treatment. Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the United States, with symptoms varying in severity. Sometimes, anxiety disorders can cause disabling symptoms, which can increase your chances of self-medicating with drugs and alcohol.

Anxiety and Addiction

Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder, with more than 18% of adult Americans suffering from anxiety each year. Unfortunately, only a handful ultimately reach out for help. Anxiety disorders can cause significant problems and even become disabling.

Symptoms of anxiety disorders can include:

• Panic and anxiety attacks
• Inability to control your anxiety
• Obsessing over your anxiety
• Avoiding people, places or things that cause anxiety

Anxiety disorders are chronic conditions. Although they are incurable, with proper anxiety treatment, symptoms are manageable. Anxiety and addiction are linked because anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issues present in co-occurring disorders. When you have both a mental health and substance abuse disorder, you have a co-occurring condition and a dual diagnosis.

It is important to treat both in order to successfully recover. Worsening mental health symptoms can put you at risk for relapsing during recovery, making it especially important to work on treating your anxiety symptoms during substance abuse treatment.

How Co-Occurring Conditions Are Treated

Co-occurring disorders are best treated by participating in a dual diagnosis treatment program. Dual diagnosis programs use both evidence-based and holistic treatment strategies.

Examples of common treatments offered by a dual diagnosis treatment center include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectic behavioral therapy
• Mindfulness based relapse prevention
• Nutrition therapy
• Individual therapy
• Family counseling

A dual diagnosis treatment center fully understands the strong link between anxiety and addiction and offers access to mental health professionals, including psychiatrists. Medication adjustments can help you better control your anxiety or mental health symptoms, improving your ability to remain abstinent following treatment. Coping strategies can help you learn how to deal with triggers and other stressors without using drugs or alcohol.

Finding Help Today

The link between anxiety and addiction is strong, but treatment can help you learn how to better manage your mental health and find recovery. Treatment improves your ability to achieve long-term recovery and abstinence. Beaches Recovery, which is home to the best dual diagnosis treatment center Florida offers, offers you the support, understanding, and tools you need to succeed. To learn more about our programs and your treatment options, call us today at 866.605.0532.