According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 46.3 million people met the criteria for having an addiction in 2021.[1]
Addiction is a condition that is characterized by having an inability to control how much you drink or consume drugs. More often than not, people develop an addiction because of underlying mental health conditions. They begin abusing substances as a form of self-medication, unaware that they actually need treatment for their mental health.
When someone suffers from an addiction and an underlying mental health condition, this is known as having co-occurring disorders. While any mental illness can be a co-occurring disorder, some of the most common conditions that co-occur with addiction are anxiety disorders.
If you or a loved one suffers from both anxiety and addiction, you might be wondering how treatment works. Treatment for anxiety and addiction in New Jersey combines services that are effective in managing both conditions, like assessment and diagnosis, medical detox, evidence-based therapies, medication management, and aftercare support.
How are Anxiety and Addiction Connected?
Anxiety and addiction often go hand in hand. When someone struggles with daily anxiety indicative of an anxiety disorder, it can be difficult to cope. Sometimes, this causes people to self-medicate their symptoms with substances.
For example, people who have a social anxiety disorder often rely on drugs or alcohol to increase their confidence and make it easier to deal with social situations.
On the other hand, some people might be dealing with anxiety linked to life events, like stressors from their careers. After work, they might begin to overindulge in alcohol to “wind down.” Over time, using substances in this manner can lead to an addiction.
Research shows that 17.7% of people with a substance use disorder suffer from some type of anxiety condition. On the flip side, 15% of people with anxiety also deal with addiction.[2]
How Does Treatment for Anxiety and Addiction Work in New Jersey?
When you have co-occurring anxiety and addiction, it’s important to receive treatment for both conditions at once. If one disorder is left untreated, it could cause a relapse in the other over time. With that being said, dual diagnosis treatment centers in New Jersey combine treatment techniques for both anxiety and addiction, ensuring their clients develop a strong foundation of recovery to rely on.
Assessment and Diagnosis
The first step in dual diagnosis rehab for anxiety and addiction in New Jersey is assessment and diagnosis. You will undergo an initial assessment that gathers information about your mental and physical health as well as your history of substance abuse.
Next, you will be assessed to diagnose what type of anxiety disorder you might be struggling with. The results of both assessments will then be used to create an individualized treatment plan that is based on your specific needs.
Medical Detox
Once your treatment plan is created, you will begin medical detox. When you are addicted to a substance, your brain and body begin to rely on it to function properly, and suddenly stopping the consumption of it will result in withdrawal symptoms.
Medical detox uses an array of treatments, including FDA-approved medications, to limit your withdrawal symptoms and prevent cravings. Doing so reduces your chances of relapsing and helps you focus on recovery.
Psychotherapy for Anxiety and Addiction
Psychotherapy for anxiety and addiction often involves a combination of approaches tailored to address the unique needs of each individual. Here are some common therapeutic modalities used:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – CBT helps identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with anxiety and addiction. It focuses on changing unhealthy beliefs and learning coping strategies.
- Psychodynamic therapy – This approach explores how past experiences and unconscious thoughts influence current behavior. It can help uncover underlying issues contributing to anxiety and addiction.
- Exposure therapy – Often used for anxiety disorders, exposure therapy gradually exposes individuals to their fears or triggers in a controlled manner, helping to reduce anxiety responses over time.
- Motivational interviewing (MI) – MI is particularly useful in addressing addiction. It’s a client-centered approach that helps individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about change.
- Mindfulness-based therapies – Practices like mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, teaching them to observe without judgment, which can be beneficial for anxiety and addiction.
- Family behavior therapy – In cases where family dynamics play a role in anxiety or addiction, involving family members in therapy can be beneficial to improve communication and support systems.
Medication Management
Depending on your needs, you might be given medications to help manage your anxiety condition.
Examples of non-addictive medications used to treat anxiety include:[4]
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Beta-blockers
- Buspirone
- Hydroxyzine
Aftercare Services
Lastly, once your treatment program has ended, it’s important to follow through with aftercare. Aftercare services ensure that you have the support you need to remain successful in recovery outside of a facility.
Examples of aftercare services include:
- Continued therapy
- Medication management
- Alumni support groups
- Referrals to outpatient or sober living programs
- Recommendations on local support groups like 12-step meetings
- Case management services like assistance in finding vocational support
Find Treatment for Anxiety and Addiction in New Jersey
If you or a loved one struggles with co-occurring anxiety and addiction, Living Room New Jersey is here to help. Our treatment center for anxiety and addiction can help you regain control over your life and lead you on a path to happiness, success, and recovery.
To learn more about our treatment program for anxiety and addiction in New Jersey, contact us today.
References:
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): SAMHSA Announces National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Results Detailing Mental Illness and Substance Use Levels in 2021, Retrieved December 2023 From https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/01/04/samhsa-announces-national-survey-drug-use-health-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021.html
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Substance Use Disorders and Anxiety: A Treatment Challenge for Social Workers, Retrieved December 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775646/
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Evidence-based practices for substance use disorders, Retrieved December 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3678283/
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Treatment of anxiety disorders, Retrieved December 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573566/