Anxiety and substance abuse are both pervasive issues in the United States.
ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) reports that 40 million adults are affected by anxiety in any given year. Data from SAMHSA’s NSDUH 2020 – the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health – shows that 40 million people had substance use disorder (drug addiction) in 2020, with 28 million diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (alcoholism).
Not only are addiction and anxiety commonplace in isolation, but these conditions commonly co-occur. According to ADDA data, 20% of those with an anxiety disorder or another mood disorder have a dual diagnosis involving a co-occurring substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder.
Many people diagnosed with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) self-medicate their symptoms with alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs. This will not address the underpinning anxiety. Additionally, self-medication can inflame the symptoms of anxiety, while at the same time introducing another problem in the form of substance abuse.
Some people with existing anxiety disorders find that substance abuse exacerbates their symptoms. Others find that abusing alcohol or drugs subsequently triggers episodes of anxiety.
Anxiety and substance use, then, are closely interrelated.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental health disorder in the United States. Central to most anxiety disorders are irrational worries and fears persisting for six months or more.
There are several types of anxiety disorder:
- GAD (generalized anxiety disorder): GAD triggers recurrent symptoms of worrying that result in tension and stress despite no apparent underlying cause.
- Social anxiety disorder: Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, involves feelings of intense anxiety and self-consciousness in response to social situations.
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder): PTSD sometimes occurs after an individual witnesses or experiences a traumatic event. PTSD symptoms can be distressing and disruptive, causing many people to self-medicate those symptoms with addictive substances.
- OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder): OCD is characterized by recurring unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that often trigger rituals or repetitive behaviors such as hand washing (compulsions). These rituals provide fleeting relief from the obsessive thoughts.
- Panic disorder: Panic disorders trigger extreme fear and physical symptoms like heavy breathing, dizziness, and increased heart rate.
What Is Addiction?
NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) defines addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disorder.
Alcoholism and drug addiction are non-clinical descriptors for alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder. All forms of substance use disorder are diagnosed using the criteria in APA’s DSM-5-TR. DSM-5-TR is the latest edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by APA (American Psychiatric Association). This text is considered the benchmark diagnostic tool for addictions and mental health conditions.
Addictions are diagnosed according to the number of the eleven diagnostic criteria that present as follows:
- Mild addiction: 2 or 3 symptoms
- Moderate addiction: 4 or 5 symptoms
- Severe addiction: 6 or more symptoms
All addictions are characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviors despite obviously negative outcomes.
There is no cure for substance use disorder and there are high relapse rates of up to 60%. That said, most addictions respond positively to a combination of MAT (medication-assisted treatment), counseling, and psychotherapy.
What Causes Addiction and Anxiety Disorder?
Your risk profile for anxiety disorders and substance use disorders depends on many factors, including:
- Genetics
- Environmental cues
- Psychological factors
Most people who have an anxiety disorder respond to stress in an unhealthy and disproportionate way. This if often due to genetic reasons beyond their control. The area of the brain charged with processing fear is acutely sensitive in those suffering from anxiety disorders.
Additionally, evidence suggests there is a link between feelings of anxiety or depression and brain neurotransmitters – chemical messengers – like cortisol and serotonin.
Of all contributory factors to addiction and mental health disorders, family history and genetics are perhaps the most important. Around 40% of people with GAD and 50% of people with panic disorder have some family history of these conditions, according to this study.
Beyond this, substance abuse can sometimes trigger the development of anxiety disorders. This phenomenon is known as substance-induced anxiety disorder.
Both age and gender can also influence your risk of developing an anxiety disorder. Research shows that twice as many women as men are diagnosed with anxiety disorders, according to research.
The symptoms of OCD, separation anxiety, and phobias typically first develop in youth or adolescence. The symptoms of panic disorder and social anxiety disorder usually manifest during the teenage years.
When generalized anxiety disorder and substance use disorder co-occurs, the most abused substances are as follows:
- Alcohol
- Opioids
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Stimulants
Anxiety Drug Addiction
An anxiety disorder usually involves symptoms that are distressing and disruptive in isolation. If addiction co-occurs with anxiety, this makes for a troubling combination.
Anxiety is a condition that impacts the CNS (central nervous system), leading to increased blood flow, accelerated heart rate, and intense neural activity.
The symptoms of anxiety are often treated with the short-term use of benzodiazepines. Regrettably, benzos have a strong potential for abuse and addiction. Alcohol, like benzos, is a depressant of the CNS, so many people looking to self-medicate anxiety seek out alcohol for these soothing properties.
Self-medicating the symptoms of anxiety with alcohol or drugs is particularly common among those with undiagnosed anxiety disorders.
Even though substance abuse and anxiety frequently co-occur, you can fight back against both conditions with the right dual diagnosis treatment.
Anxiety and Addiction Recovery
ADAA states that anxiety is treatable with the following combination of therapies:
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Psychotherapy
- Behavioral interventions
Some anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants used to treat anxiety disorders include:
- Xanax
- Buspar
- Zoloft
- Pristiq
- Lexapro
- Celexa
- Lexapro
All these medications can be used safely long-term except for Xanax and other benzodiazepines.
One of the most effective forms of psychotherapy for treating both addictions and anxiety disorders is CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). A psychotherapist will help you to identify your triggers for unhealthy behaviors and substance abuse. The therapist will also guide you to create healthier coping strategies.
Anxiety and Addiction Recovery at Ohio
Here at Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers, we specialize in dual diagnosis treatment of addictions and mental health conditions like anxiety.
Both of these disorders can play off each other, and co-occurring disorders respond most favorably to integrated and coordinated treatment.
Choose from the following services and treatment programs:
- Supervised medical detoxification
- MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
- IOP (intensive outpatient program)
- PHP (partial hospitalization program)
Whatever level of treatment intensity best suits your requirements, you can access evidence-based therapies at Ohio Community Health to complement medication-assisted treatment. Access the following interventions:
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Psychotherapies
- Holistic therapy
When you are ready to tackle anxiety disorder co-occurring with addiction, reach out to the friendly team online just here or call (877) 679-2132 for guidance and immediate assistance.
