Alcohol Addiction Dual Diagnosis - Effectively Treating Alcoholics
A person with an anxiety disorder and alcohol addiction dual diagnosis has mental health issues as well as a substance abuse problem. The two conditions are often linked in a vicious cycle. Many people with anxiety disorders turn to alcohol for relief of unpleasant symptoms. However, excessive use of alcohol can worsen the anxiety experienced during sober periods. Simultaneous treatment of both conditions is necessary for full recovery.
Social Phobia
One of the most common anxiety problems associated with alcohol abuse is social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder. People with social phobia have an intense fear of being humiliated, embarrassed or negatively judged by others. The disorder causes such severe anxiety that people will go out of their way to avoid social activities and public situations. Physical symptoms include trembling, stammering, blushing, sweating, nausea and heart palpitations.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is another anxiety problem commonly diagnosed in alcoholics. People with this condition are subject to sudden episodes of intense anxiety that can mimic a nervous breakdown or cardiac arrest. During a panic attack, individuals may experience chest pains, heart palpitations, rapid breathing, trembling and dizziness. They often feel as though they are about to pass out and may fear they are going to die.
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
Individuals suffering from anxiety disorders often turn to alcohol to lower their stress levels, calm their fears, relax their social inhibitions or numb their emotional pain. Because they use alcohol as a way of coping with anxiety, treatments focused exclusively on their alcohol addictions often fail. In a study of patients in alcohol dependence programs, those with anxiety disorders were found to be at the greatest risk of relapsing within four months.
Therapy
Programs developed specifically for anxiety disorder and alcoholism dual diagnosis patients are now available at many alcohol inpatient clinic facilities. Most of these centers begin treatment with detoxification. This allows healthcare workers to distinguish between symptoms brought on by anxiety and those caused by alcohol abuse. A range of therapies can then be used to treat the patient's anxiety problems along with their addiction.
12-Step Program
Alcohol misuse is typically addressed using twelve-step methods along with peer counseling and support. Symptoms of anxiety may be treated with prescription medications to eliminate the need for self-medication with alcohol. Psychotherapy may be used to help patients with underlying emotional conflicts. Patients are frequently offered cognitive-behavioral therapy to teach them practical ways to reduce their social anxiety and prevent panic attacks.
Social Phobia
One of the most common anxiety problems associated with alcohol abuse is social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder. People with social phobia have an intense fear of being humiliated, embarrassed or negatively judged by others. The disorder causes such severe anxiety that people will go out of their way to avoid social activities and public situations. Physical symptoms include trembling, stammering, blushing, sweating, nausea and heart palpitations.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is another anxiety problem commonly diagnosed in alcoholics. People with this condition are subject to sudden episodes of intense anxiety that can mimic a nervous breakdown or cardiac arrest. During a panic attack, individuals may experience chest pains, heart palpitations, rapid breathing, trembling and dizziness. They often feel as though they are about to pass out and may fear they are going to die.
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
Individuals suffering from anxiety disorders often turn to alcohol to lower their stress levels, calm their fears, relax their social inhibitions or numb their emotional pain. Because they use alcohol as a way of coping with anxiety, treatments focused exclusively on their alcohol addictions often fail. In a study of patients in alcohol dependence programs, those with anxiety disorders were found to be at the greatest risk of relapsing within four months.
Therapy
Programs developed specifically for anxiety disorder and alcoholism dual diagnosis patients are now available at many alcohol inpatient clinic facilities. Most of these centers begin treatment with detoxification. This allows healthcare workers to distinguish between symptoms brought on by anxiety and those caused by alcohol abuse. A range of therapies can then be used to treat the patient's anxiety problems along with their addiction.
12-Step Program
Alcohol misuse is typically addressed using twelve-step methods along with peer counseling and support. Symptoms of anxiety may be treated with prescription medications to eliminate the need for self-medication with alcohol. Psychotherapy may be used to help patients with underlying emotional conflicts. Patients are frequently offered cognitive-behavioral therapy to teach them practical ways to reduce their social anxiety and prevent panic attacks.