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Feeling anxious from time to time is completely normal. However, when these symptoms begin to interfere with everyday life, anxiety can become a problem—and disrupt your ability to function. This can signify that an anxiety disorder is at play. With chronic anxiety, the unfortunate truth is that many people turn to unhealthy means to cope—including substance use. This can lead down a slippery slope toward addiction, causing even more issues. Below, we explore the intricate link between anxiety disorders and addiction and the treatment options available.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry or nervousness that happens when you're stressed. While it’s normal to feel anxious sometimes, frequent or intense anxiety can make everyday tasks difficult. It can also indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder.
An anxiety disorder1 is a mental health condition where intense and persistent worry or fear interferes with everyday life. In some cases, individuals may experience panic attacks.
Common symptoms of anxiety include:
- Feeling nervous or restless
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Increased heart rate
- A feeling of impending danger or doom
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty sleeping
- Digestive issues
- Avoiding situations or things that cause anxiety
For general anxiety, psychotherapy treatment is shown to have a 60-80% success rate. In other words, it is possible to live a life without anxiety holding you back. Self-medicating through substance abuse can lead to more issues, including addiction (more on this below).
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders is an umbrella term for various anxiety conditions, including:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)2: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a chronic condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a variety of everyday events. It often makes it difficult to control the anxiety and interfere with daily activities.
- Social Anxiety Disorder (social phobia)3: This involves an intense fear of social situations. With a social phobia, a person may fear judgment from others, leading them to avoid social situations or causing distress in social situations.
- Panic Disorder4: This disorder is marked by recurring and unexpected panic attacks. These are episodes of intense fear involving a rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, and more. Many people often worry about having a panic attack as well.
- Specific Phobias5: Phobias are an excessive or irrational fear of an object, person, activity, place, or situation. Like other anxiety disorders, this may cause a person to avoid these situations altogether.
- Agoraphobia6: This involves a fear of places where it might be hard to leave or get help during a panic attack, often causing people to avoid public or crowded spaces.
Proper diagnosis is key to getting the help you need. You don’t need to live with anxiety, nor does it have to fuel substance abuse. With Freedom Recovery Centers, we can tackle both, guiding you toward a more vibrant and fulfilling
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How Anxiety Plays a Role in Addiction
Anxiety may be the catalyst for addiction. Individuals may use substances or alcohol as a means to escape and cope with feeling scared, nervous, or worried. While these substances may temporarily relieve anxiety, over time, they can lead to dependency. With increasing and chronic use, it can also intensify existing anxiety symptoms. This creates a cycle where you may use more in an attempt to relieve increasing anxiety.
Substance use and addiction can also lead to anxiety, which may not have been a previous problem. For instance, stimulants like cocaine or even high doses of caffeine can increase heart rate and stress hormones, which may trigger anxiety. Additionally, when someone stops using abused substances, withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety while the body adjusts.
It’s worth noting, however, that factors like stress, past trauma, and genetics also play a role in developing anxiety and addiction. It can differ from person to person and situation to situation.
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Treatment for Co-Occurring Conditions
The good news is that it’s possible to treat both addiction and anxiety disorders. At FRC, our team can diagnose co-occurring conditions, ensuring you get the care and help you need.
While each individual’s treatment plan is unique to their situation and needs, a program addressing both anxiety and addiction at FRC may include (but isn’t limited to):
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT challenges negative thought patterns, helping you develop healthier ways to cope. In turn, this leads to behavioral change and mood improvements.
- Medications: In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage anxiety. This may be the case if a person is experiencing extreme anxiety during the withdrawal period.
- Support Groups: You don’t have to do this alone. At FRC, we encourage group support through peer meetings and strive to foster a sense of belonging for each patient.
- Mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you learn to calm your mind and be more aware of your triggers. This can have benefits for both addiction and anxiety.
- Health & Wellness Strategies: Physical activity and proper nutrition can help you get your physical body back on track. In turn, this can spill over into mental health benefits, such as improved resilience, better stress management, and an improved mood.
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Break Free From Anxiety and Addiction, Starting Today
The FRC team is here for you. Our phone lines are open 24/7, and one of our team members is ready to answer your call. No matter whether it’s your first or last time reaching out for help, we’re committed to your recovery and lasting success.
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FAQs
What is the relationship between anxiety and addiction?
Generally, individuals may develop an addiction from using substances to calm anxiety. Meanwhile, anxiety can be exacerbated by substance use.
Why does addiction cause anxiety?
Addiction causes anxiety by changing the chemical balance in the brain. While substance use may temporarily relieve anxiety, when it wears off, it can increase anxiety. Anxiety can also be associated with the urge to use, such as trying to obtain more of the abused substance, and be aggravated by any financial or personal (such as strained relationships) issues that arise from addiction.
What is the 333 rule for anxiety?
The “333 rule” for anxiety is simple: It involves finding three things you can see, three things you can hear, and moving three parts of your body. This is thought to calm anxiety, offering a strategy to tackle these feelings in the moment.
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