People use substances for a number of reasons, but self-medication is one of the primary drivers of addiction. That’s why anxiety and addiction can often go hand in hand, and a dual diagnosis addiction and anxiety treatment program is necessary for many clients. If anxiety and addiction have taken over your life, contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306 for help or learn about our anxiety treatment options.
Anxiety and Addiction
Anxiety is a completely normal human emotion, and everyone has experienced it to some degree. It becomes problematic when our anxieties stand in the way of leading healthy and productive lives or when the effects of anxiety become overwhelming. Problematic anxiety is typically diagnosed as a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, or phobia-related disorder.
People with anxiety disorders experience significant disruptions in their daily living and many turn to substance use as a form of self-medication. Some of the signs of problematic anxiety include:
- Restlessness
- Constant fatigue
- Feeling short of breath
- Feelings of impending doom
- Heart palpitations or a pounding heartbeat
- Excessive worry about a particular experience or situation
The onset of anxiety can be sudden and unpredictable, and people will often turn to drugs like alcohol, opiates, or prescription medications to overcome the immediate consequences of anxiety or prevent it from occurring in the first place. While this may be effective in the short term, long-term use of substances can ultimately increase your anxiety levels.
Anxiety Triggers
Everyone has different anxiety triggers. These are typically situations or people that put you on edge. However, they can also be subtle subconscious associations you can’t readily identify, such as smells, sounds, or tastes. Whatever the cause, an anxiety trigger can cause a panic attack or induce cravings to use or drink.
Finding out the root causes of your anxiety can help you avoid these particular situations and prevent relapse. But sometimes, avoiding the problem isn’t possible. That’s why clients should learn how to cope with anxiety and overcome it, and they can do that with the right tools and programs.
How Treatment Helps
Anxiety treatment teaches people to manage their anxiety levels through a variety of different psychological techniques. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida, we offer the following programs designed to help people manage their anxiety:
- Individual counseling
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Group therapy programs
- Meditation practices
Each of these treatment modalities is evidence-based and effective at helping patients learn healthy coping mechanisms for anxiety.
Grounding techniques to stop your anxiety symptoms from escalating, peer support, and mindfulness strategies are some tools that can help you stay calm in all situations. We also offer specialized anxiety treatment programs to stop specific phobia-related anxieties from interfering with your daily life.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
People with a co-occurring anxiety disorder and substance use disorder can benefit significantly from a dual diagnosis treatment program. Rather than focusing only on substance use, dual diagnosis therapy recognizes that someone with an anxiety disorder has a better chance of recovery when their condition is under control. Dual diagnosis treatment treats the whole person rather than simply managing one set of symptoms over the other.
Start Your Recovery at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida can help you overcome your problems with addiction and anxiety in a safe and supportive environment. We offer specialized care for dual diagnosis clients and have hand-picked an expert team of mental health specialists to help you get your recovery started on the right foot.
Don’t delay seeking treatment. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306 today to start a treatment program and begin the journey to a new clean and sober life.
