Anxiety and addiction often appear together, especially when it comes to female clients. Like any other dual diagnosis, it is very important that both anxiety and addiction are addressed and treated at the same time in order to achieve the most successful results in recovery.
An Anxiety and Addiction Dual Diagnosis
Many female clients receive dual diagnoses and anxiety and addiction is one of the most common. A dual diagnosis is when a client is diagnosed with addiction and at least one other accompanying mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. It is unclear which develops first in a dual diagnosis. Sometimes it may be the mental disorder that brings on the addiction as a way to cope with the symptoms. In other cases it may be the addiction that brings on the mental disorder. For example, the stress brought on by addiction can create anxiety, which manifests into full-blown anxiety disorder.
Treating Anxiety and Addiction
Both anxiety and addiction should be treated at the same time in order for recovery to be a success. If the addiction is treated alone, the symptoms of anxiety can work against the recovery process. A proper rehabilitation center should be well equipped to provide you with treatment for your dual diagnosis. Treatment for anxiety also involves plenty of psychotherapy (group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy and more) as does the treatment for addiction. Anxiety treatment may also require the assistance of some prescription medication. However, this is not the case for everyone, as many medications for anxiety are not ideal for individuals being treated for addiction.
You can create goals to mark your progress in treatment, which can focus on your anxiety and addiction for you to reach milestones in therapy. Other treatment methods include stress management, lifestyle counseling and other such considerations for you to be able to tailor your everyday life in a manner that helps your recovery and helps fight anxiety. Some of these everyday contributions you may make towards your treatment plan include organizing your days in less stressful manners, avoiding high-stress situations, getting the proper diet and nutrition, and starting a fitness routine to manage stress and bring about greater relaxation and a healthier sense of self.
If you’re a woman suffering from both anxiety and addiction, there are wonderful resources out there for you to get the help you need to get control, health and balance in your life. Start the new year right!
If you or a woman you love is having problems with drug abuse, alcohol dependency and mental illness, women’s drug rehab may be the answer. Remember that recovery from addiction and alcohol abuse treatment means learning how to cope with intensely emotional situations, and identifying when you need help and support. Treatment for addiction relapse, counseling, and aftercare can help you do this, so please call us today. Destination Hope is a full service addiction and women’s health treatment facility in Florida for women who suffer from substance abuse and behavioral health issues.
