It can become difficult to live a healthy life when you struggle with an anxiety disorder, like 18.1% of American adults. Untreated anxiety can cause disabling symptoms that prevent you from working, going to school, and living your best life. Initial signs of anxiety warrant early treatment, as symptoms will continue to get worse otherwise. Unfortunately, most people who struggle with anxiety disorder don’t receive help. Only 36.9% of people with an anxiety-related condition receive treatment.
Additionally, people with substance use disorders are more prone to developing co-occurring anxiety disorders. If you are struggling with addiction and signs of anxiety, finding addiction treatment for yourself can help. Call 1.844.675.1628 to get started at Right Step Hill Country today.
What Is Anxiety?
Stress and anxiety are natural feelings. However, when these feelings become so frequent and intense that they interfere with life, people receive a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders cause intense feelings of panic or worrying, which don’t go away. These emotions can make it hard to leave your home, go to work, or socialize with others. The most common anxiety-related disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety
- Phobias
What Is a Dual Diagnosis?
A dual diagnosis occurs when someone has both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. A person with a dual diagnosis needs treatment for both disorders to live a healthy life.
When someone struggling with a substance use disorder does not receive the help they need to manage their mental health, they are more likely to relapse. People with co-occurring conditions are more likely to relapse than people who only struggle with addiction.
Anxiety disorders can trigger people to relapse because of the intense feelings and emotions that come with them. When anxiety is untreated, people may turn to substances to self-medicate. The most common substances people use to self-medicate signs of anxiety are:
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepines lie Xanax
- Cannabis
- Stimulants like meth or cocaine
Common Signs of Anxiety
Signs of anxiety can vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder you have. A panic disorder can cause you to deal with panic attacks requiring emergency medical treatment. Other anxiety symptoms include an intense and irrational fear of something specific, like flying, public spaces, or large crowds. Social anxiety can make it hard to interact with others, so isolation is often a complication of anxiety disorders.
Some more general signs of anxiety can include:
- Inability to stop worrying about something
- Constantly worrying about what others think about you
- Having low self-esteem
- Avoiding people, places, and things that cause you anxiety
- Constantly worrying that things will go wrong
Since many signs of anxiety make it hard to maintain healthy relationships, it’s common for people suffering from anxiety also to have symptoms of depression. If an anxiety disorder causes you to isolate yourself from others, it can create feelings of loneliness.
How Are Anxiety Disorders Treated?
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, with many evidence-based and holistic therapies extremely effective in alleviating symptoms.
- Medications – Xanax, Ativan, and beta-blockers, are especially useful if you battle anxiety or panic attacks. Many doctors will start with prescription drugs as a way to get your symptoms under control.
- Talk therapy – Cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, two types of evidence-based treatments, empower you to identify and change negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- Holistic therapy – These programs work to improve your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Many holistic therapies, like yoga, also help reduce stress. Healthily coping with stress can make it easier to manage your anxiety disorder, especially because anxiety and stress usually go hand-in-hand.
Long-Term Benefits of Anxiety Treatment
Treatment for anxiety disorders comes with many benefits. In addition to reducing your symptoms, it can also:
- Help you manage stress in a healthy way
- Empower you to take control of your thoughts and feelings
- Improve your ability to cope with difficult situations
- Build strong and healthy relationships
Laying the foundation for a future of better-managed anxiety can also help you achieve your recovery goals. Cravings, triggers, and strong emotions can all lead to substance use. You can continue to succeed in sobriety by keeping these feelings under control.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Right Step Hill Country
If you or a loved one is struggling with anxiety and addiction, we can help. Right Step Hill Country offers comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment to address both disorders. Our programs work to meet each person’s unique needs, so they can heal physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Don’t let anxiety and addiction continue to run your life. Start your journey with the right steps to recovery today by calling 1.844.675.1628.