Most people have feelings of anxiety before an important event. However, anxiety disorder is a common chronic disorder of long-lasting anxiety that is not focused on any one object or situation. Those suffering from this mood disorder experience persistent, excessive and unrealistic fear and worry about everyday matters. Recent surveys have found that as many as 18% of Americans may be affected by anxiety disorder.
Anxiety Disorder and Substance Abuse
While a large percentage of Americans suffer with anxiety disorder to some degree, it is most prevalent among substance abusers and addicts. This is thought to be due mainly to the mind-altering properties that illicit drugs can possess. Many addictive substances are known to cause hallucinations and feelings of paranoia, which enhance anxiety.
People who suffer from anxiety disorder often have an acute and overwhelming attack of panic or fear. Many times the fear is so intense that it leads to self-medication with sedatives, painkillers or opiate-based drugs. When the cycle continues, an addiction can be created.
For some people the use of alcohol and drugs and the withdrawal from them can cause symptoms of anxiety. In these cases the anxiety symptoms may be substance induced and the symptoms will subside with prolonged abstinence. For others, the symptoms of anxiety persist and may even worsen with prolonged abstinence thus making recovery more difficult. In either case, if the anxiety disorder is not dealt with as part of a substance abuse treatment program, it can be a contributing factor in a future relapse.
Recovery Ways Treatment of Anxiety Disorder
At Recovery Ways, we recognize that anxiety and substance abuse often go hand in hand. Research shows that one in three people with anxiety also suffer from substance abuse or dependence. So each patient is thoroughly assessed to ensure that both the chemical dependence and mood disorder is being treated.
Recovery Ways provides the therapy necessary to help patients adjust and cope with their feelings of anxiousness. Through one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, and medical intervention when necessary, patients learn to break through the feelings of their anxiety disorder and see a new way of living more clearly.
All treatment programs at Recovery Ways include individualized care and personalized treatment plans, multiple weekly group and individual therapy based on the 12 steps, and a family program. We know that anxiety can be a major factor in relapse, so we make it a priority to give patients all the resources they need to continue treatment for anxiety and substance dependency after they leave our program.
Recovery Ways specializes in treating a wide variety of addictions and co-occurring disorders, for more information on how to get you or your loved one help, call us toll- free: (888) 986-7848.
