It’s challenging to be able to fully understand addiction and its connection to other health conditions, physical, mental, and emotional. Co-occurring conditions are common, and most professional treatment programs offer dual diagnosis treatment. When it comes to abusing alcohol and anxiety disorders—such as social anxiety—they can feed off of each other. A substance use disorder (SUD) can cause or exacerbate anxiety. Conversely, if anxiety remains unaddressed, individuals may turn to alcohol as a means to numb the negative emotions they encounter. Our team promotes healthier coping techniques so clients don’t fall into the same potentially dangerous habits. Contact The Right Step online or call 17135283709 to learn more.
Understanding the Connection Between Alcohol and Anxiety
When anxiety goes untreated, those suffering can turn to drugs and alcohol to numb the negative feelings they’re experiencing. Anxiety can come in many forms, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). On the flip side, people who become dependent on alcohol can develop mental health conditions like anxiety that cause them to go deeper into their addiction.
One condition worsens the other, so it’s a vicious cycle until both conditions are treated as part of dual diagnosis treatment. Without treatment, the conditions will continue to feed off of each other to the point that those looking for a way to deal with their anxiety through drinking will see their health continue to diminish, making the anxiety even worse.
Other mental health conditions that can co-occur with a substance use disorder are:
- Major depression disorder (MDD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Trauma
It might seem overwhelming for the person suffering from these co-occurring conditions to understand how they can get help for both. There’s still a stigma surrounding mental health needs, and clients may not feel supported at home or in their community for being open about struggling and asking for help. Professional treatment programs work to educate not only the client that their needs are valid but also educate family and friends so that the discussion around mental health continues to become more normalized.
Considering Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Co-occurring addictions and mental health conditions are more common than you may think. In the past, only one condition was treated at a time, and in many cases, a co-occurring disorder wasn’t identified or even treated. Without treating them together, one condition can continue to aggravate the other. Professional treatment will make sure you have the tools to manage the conditions and avoid triggers to substance use.
Therapies that can be used to treat co-occurring disorders as part of dual diagnosis treatment include:
- Individual and group therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness
- Experiential therapies like equine, yoga, and massage
- Trauma therapy
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Relapse prevention
Addressing both alcohol use disorder and an additional mental health condition at the same time makes sure patients receive all the support and tools they need to remain healthy in the long run. A dual diagnosis treatment center provides the care required to treat both conditions.
Schedule a Consultation for Dual Diagnosis Treatment at The Right Step
An effective treatment program for any disorder can be customized to each person’s unique needs. At The Right Step, your treatment plan will encompass a variety of therapies that work best for you. Addressing the root cause of both disorders through traditional talk therapies, behavioral therapies, and experiential therapies will set each client up for a successful recovery journey. Clients leave The Right Step armed with tools and strategies to manage triggers and temptations in their everyday lives.
Contact our team online or call 17135283709 today to learn more about treating alcohol addiction and an anxiety disorder together as part of a dual diagnosis treatment program.
