Patients given an anxiety disorder and alcoholism dual diagnosis have a substance abuse problem linked to underlying mental health issues. People suffering from anxiety often use alcohol as a coping mechanism. However, excessive drinking can heighten their symptoms during sober periods. This creates a vicious cycle in which alcohol is both the problem and the perceived solution. Effective therapies must simultaneously address both the anxiety disorder and the addiction.
Social Phobia
Social anxiety disorder is a condition frequently diagnosed in alcoholics. Also known as social phobia, it is an overwhelming fear of being negatively judged, humiliated or embarrassed in a social situation. Individuals with social phobia tend to go out of their way to avoid public activities or groups of strangers. Social anxiety produces unpleasant symptoms such as sweating, blushing, stammering, trembling, nausea and a racing heart.
Panic Disorder
Another anxiety-related problem commonly found among alcoholics is panic disorder. People with this condition experience repeated episodes of panic attacks, sudden spells of intense anxiety. Sufferers often feel as through they are having a heart attack or nervous breakdown. Physical symptoms can include chest pain, a racing heart, shaking, dizziness and breathing difficulties. These can be accompanied by fears of dying or losing control.
PTSD
Alcohol abuse is also frequently seen in association with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People may develop PTSD after experiencing a horrific event such as rape or series of traumatic episodes such as continuous combat in war. Symptoms of PTSD include agitation, sleeping problems, nightmares and flashbacks. Sufferers are constantly vigilant and over-sensitive to perceived threats. They find it difficult to handle the stress of the workplace or public situations.
Reasons For Abuse
People with anxiety disorders may use alcohol to lower social inhibitions, relieve stress, calm fears and numb emotional pain. Treatments that focus on alcohol problems often fail when patients return to their former coping strategies to deal with anxiety. A study that followed individuals in alcohol dependence programs found that those with anxiety disorders had a significantly greater risk of relapse within four months.
Therapy
Many alcohol rehabilitation centers now have programs specifically developed for anxiety disorder and alcoholism dual diagnosis patients. Treatment at inpatient facilities normally begins with detoxification. Once this process is completed, healthcare workers are better able to distinguish between the symptoms of an anxiety disorder and those brought on by alcohol abuse. A range of treatment options can then be used to reduce the patient’s anxiety and overcome their addiction.
12-Step Program
Methods based on a twelve-step program including peer support are often used to help patients overcome their addiction to alcohol. In addition, appropriate medication may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms of anxiety so patients no longer feel the need to self-medicate with alcohol. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can teach patients practical techniques for reducing social anxiety and panic attacks. Psychotherapy can help patients explore and overcome emotional conflicts.
After rehab at an alcohol inpatient rehabilitation, out-patient programs can continue to provide support to ensure that people with anxiety disorders successfully cope with the stresses of work and social life. With proper therapy, anxiety disorder and alcoholism dual diagnosis patients can escape the vicious cycle they were trapped in. By acquiring new life skills, they can overcome their alcohol addiction while minimizing their anxiety symptoms.
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