Connection Between Anxiety and Addiction | Silver Ridge Recovery (2024)

FAQs

What is the relationship between addiction and anxiety? ›

Drug addiction can worsen anxiety symptoms and create a cycle of dependence and withdrawal. People suffering from addiction may experience intense cravings for drugs, which can cause significant distress and anxiety. The fear of withdrawal symptoms can also lead to anxiety and contribute to a cycle of drug use.

The prolonged use of drugs or alcohol alters brain chemistry, increasing the risk of developing anxiety disorders such as panic attacks. When a person abruptly quits drugs or alcohol, the brain's chemical balance experiences a sharp contrast, which may trigger panic attacks.

Create a routine: One of the most important things a person can do in their recovery journey is to establish a routine. A routine provides structure and helps to minimize stress and anxiety. A routine can include daily activities such as exercise, meditation, journaling, and attending meetings.

Many symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder mirror the signs of addiction. Other mood disorders, such as depression, may also occur alongside generalized anxiety disorder. It is crucial that individuals seek treatment for any and all mental health addictions present.

Aside from PAWS, anxiety may be a direct response to the challenges everybody faces in the early stages of recovery. Some of the situations that might spark feelings of anxiety include: Fear of living in sobriety without the using a substance of choice as a coping tool.

“The Three A's” can be an extremely powerful tool in coming to terms with our addiction.

The three P's of recovery include patience, persistence, and perseverance.

To that end, they will often use one or more tactics from what I call the 7 Rs For Recovering From A Crisis: Renounce, Reinvent, Restructure, Rebuild, Rename, Rebrand and Reset.

Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, conduct disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) create a greater risk for problematic substance use and addiction. As a parent, it's important to be on the lookout for whether your child may be using substances to cope with their condition.

How long does anxiety last? ›

How long does anxiety last? Typical anxiety can last for days, or at least until you've dealt with whatever is making you anxious, but anxiety disorders can persist for months or years without relief. Often, the only way to control anxiety is through professional treatment.

Some ways to manage anxiety disorders include learning about anxiety, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, correct breathing techniques, dietary adjustments, exercise, learning to be assertive, building self-esteem, cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, structured problem solving, medication and support groups.

The 4 A's: Awareness. Acceptance. Action. Adherence.

The main goal during recovery is to get and stay sober, but this big picture can be broken up into several small goals to make it more manageable. Goals for substance abuse recovery may include enrolling in rehab, finding a doctor, completing a treatment program or joining a support group.

A healthy diet, regular exercise, sleep and social support can relieve or manage the symptoms of illness or injury and help improve recovery. Taking a positive view can also make a huge difference to recovery from illness.

There is a link between stress and substance use. Many studies show stress is a leading risk factor for the development of substance use disorder and can be a strong risk factor for recurring substance use.

Substance use and addiction can contribute to the development of mental illness. Substance use can lead to changes in some of the same brain areas that are disrupted in other mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, anxiety, mood, or impulse-control disorders.

There is a strong link between stress and substance abuse. Everyone copes with stress in different ways, but some people may resort to using drugs or alcohol to manage their stress. Conversely, the impact of substance misuse on a person's health, life, and relationships may cause excess stress.