Anxiety covers a wide range of health issues and symptoms that affect a lot of people. Although the concept of anxiety is globally understood, the medical condition’s implications and the connection between anxiety and addiction will surprise you.
Granted, recovery is possible, but part of treatment stems from understanding the anxiety and what it entails when it comes to addiction.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a big word used to describe a range of symptoms that affect millions of people. According to NIH, 18% of the US population experience anxiety symptoms, including excessive fear and worry about everyday situations like work, relationships, and daily activities.
Usually, anxiety is normal in certain conditions. It’s normal to feel anxiety in situations such as the first day in school, public speaking, or a job interview.
However, anxiety becomes extreme when you start having unfounded fears and worries that consume and interfere with your daily life; it becomes an anxiety disorder.
What Is Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety Disorder is a group of mental illnesses that causes intense anxiety and fear. An anxiety disorder, unlike normal anxiety, doesn’t last a few minutes or days. It could last a long time and can affect people’s daily living.
How to Treat Anxiety
There are several treatment options for people diagnosed with anxiety. Treatment falls into two main categories:
Medication
There are drugs available to treat anxiety disorders. This includes antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, sedatives, beta-blockers, etc. It is crucial to speak with a doctor or psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis and prescription to know which drug is best for your anxiety.
Psychotherapy
This treatment involves counseling and therapy. It involves talking with a psychiatrist or mental health specialist about your feelings and emotions to understand how they affect your anxiety and how you can manage them.
What Is Addiction?
Addiction is a brain disorder that involves the inability to stop consuming harmful substances or focusing on activities regardless of the dire consequence.
Although people often associate addiction with drug and substance use, it isn’t limited to that alone. An individual can be addicted to gambling, a job, or even eating. People with addiction problems often become dependent on their choice of activity or substance to cope with their daily life.
How to Treat Addiction
The foremost step to treating addiction is for the patient to recognize and admit they have an addiction problem and then seek a health professional. Treatment options include:
- Therapy or counselling
- Hospitalization or rehabilitation
- Medication
Outpatient programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can also be helpful.
Connection Between Anxiety and Addiction
There’s a significant connection between anxiety and addiction. It is common for people to self-medicate or abuse drugs or alcohol to cope with anxiety symptoms. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that people with anxiety disorders are twice as likely to suffer from substance abuse.
Besides, substance abuse is more prevalent in people with anxiety disorders than in the general population.
According to a study, anxiety disorders have been associated with higher substance abuse rates and relapse after rehab. Also, individuals suffering from anxiety substance abuse disorder may experience more severe withdrawal symptoms.
Substance abuse increases the effects of anxiety. The individual gets trapped in a vicious circle anytime they use more drugs or alcohol. This circle increases the symptoms of anxiety, making them increase the intake of drugs to function normally. The result? The individual develops a tolerance to the substance and, eventually, a cycle of anxiety and substance abuse that causes dependency and addiction.
Get Help at Enlight Treatment Center!
Need help to manage anxiety and substance abuse? Reach out to us to start your recovery process. Enlight Treatment Center offers affordable treatment programs to people suffering from mental health disorders, including anxiety and addiction.
We provide personalized treatment tailored to our patient’s individual needs and symptoms. Contact us today to start living a healthier life.
