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Some people who suffer from a substance use disorder may also have a mental health condition. Anxiety and addiction are two disorders that can often co-occur. Anxiety is a condition characterized by feelings of worry, fear, or unease. Addiction is a disorder characterized by the compulsive use of drugs or alcohol.
Both anxiety and addiction can be very debilitating conditions. Those who suffer from anxiety may find it difficult to leave the house or participate in social activities. Those who suffer from addiction may find themselves unable to stop using drugs or alcohol, even when they know it is causing harm to their health or relationships. When these two conditions are present at the same time, it is a lot for one person to manage all on their own. The good news is that both anxiety and substance abuse can be treated successfully.
Here at Orlando Treatment Solutions, we offer treatment for those suffering from substance use disorders and mental health disorders. We provide individualized addiction treatment that utilizes an integrated treatment approach combining evidenced-based therapeutics, skill-building, and 12 step modalities. Our commitment to your recovery can be the difference between anxiety and addiction controlling your life and you achieving freedom.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite negative consequences. Individuals who suffer from addiction may become so obsessed with substance use that they will do anything to get their hands on drugs or alcohol. The effects of addiction can be devastating both physically and mentally.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, dread, or fear. It can be mild or severe and can manifest in different ways depending on the person. Some people experience anxiety as a sense of tightness in their chest, while others may feel like they are having a panic attack. The symptoms of anxiety can be quite debilitating and often interfere with daily life activities. When anxiety is a constant in an individual’s life, this can indicate that they have an anxiety disorder.
The Different Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are many different types of anxiety disorders. A formal diagnosis by a mental health professional will inform you of which anxiety disorder you have. The different anxiety disorders include the following:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety and worries about a number of different things. This anxiety can be present all the time or come and go. This type of anxiety disorder often interferes with daily life activities. People with generalized anxiety disorder often have trouble sleeping and experience fatigue.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is characterized by sudden, intense episodes of fear or terror called panic attacks. These panic attacks can cause many physical symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea. Panic disorder often leads to avoidance behavior, where individuals try to avoid any situation that could trigger a panic attack.
Social Anxiety Disorder
When someone has a social anxiety disorder, they experience an extreme fear of social situations. People with this disorder may feel very anxious and uncomfortable in social situations. This disorder often harms an individual’s ability to go out in public or function normally in social settings.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. People with PTSD often experience flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event. They may also feel constantly on edge and have difficulty sleeping.
The Connection Between Anxiety and Addiction
Many people who suffer from anxiety also struggle with substance abuse. For some individuals, their substance abuse began as a means to cope with anxiety. For others, anxiety may have arisen as a result of their addiction. Regardless of how the two disorders intersect, it is clear that they are intimately connected.
Some experts attest that anxiety and addiction share some common underlying causes. For example, both disorders are triggered by stress or trauma at times. Alternatively, anxiety and substance abuse may develop as a result of coping mechanisms that are ineffective or harmful. For example, someone who suffers from anxiety may turn to alcohol or drugs to calm down or relax.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety comes with many common symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the following, it is important to seek help:
- Excessive worry
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep problems
- Muscle tension
- Irritability
If you are struggling with anxiety and addiction, treatment is a vital way to break the cycle of destruction that both can cause in your life. Drug or alcohol abuse can be ways of self-medicating anxiety and other mental health disorders. As a result, it is important to receive treatment for both conditions simultaneously.
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Orlando Treatment Solutions will iron out the details for you in a manner that will make you confident in your path to sobriety. That first simple call is your ticket to making Orlando Treatment Solutions your solution for addiction. Get the freedom from addiction that you deserve today.
Anxiety and Addiction Treatment from Orlando Treatment Solutions
Orlando Treatment Solutions offers comprehensive treatment for anxiety and addiction. We provide individualized care, tailored to meet your specific needs. Our programs include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and traditional outpatient treatment.
If you live in or near Orlando, Florida and you are ready to stop using drugs or alcohol to manage your anxiety, content us today. We will work with you to discover which of our comprehensive programs will work best for your needs.
References
Years of experience
Our leadership team has extensive experience in dual-diagnosis treatment and is ready to help those who are struggling with substance use and mental health.
Specialists
Our staff consists of many licensed addiction and mental health treatment facilitators and other staff who are ready to share their experience and their success.
Happy patients
Orlando Treatment Solutions has helped over 2,000 people who have struggled with substance use (alcohol and drug addiction) and mental health find freedom.
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Reaching out to Orlando Treatment Solutions may be the most important call of your recovery process. A caring professional is waiting for your call to be your guide to addiction-free living.
