Anxiety and Substance Abuse

You Don’t Have to Let Anxiety Rule Your Life

Anxiety disorder is the most common mental health issue in the United States, affecting over 40 million American adults. While they are highly treatable, and vary widely in scope and severity, anxiety disorders have the power to significantly impair a sufferer’s quality of life and overall health. Approximately one third of those who were found to need treatment for some kind of anxiety disorder actually receive it. The main types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and specific phobias. Other conditions that may be linked to anxiety include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety disorder can also significantly increase one’s risk of substance abuse and addiction, creating what is known as a co-occurring disorder or dual-diagnosis.

Long-Term Effects of Anxiety Disorder

Each person experiences their own unique set of anxiety-related complications, depending upon the scope and severity of their condition. It’s important to treat these acute conditions in conjunction with overall anxiety disorder to avoid further episodes and aggravation of pre-established conditions. Some of the more common medical issues associated with anxiety disorder tend to include:

Anxiety can be the cause or effect of prolonged and untreated substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol create serious and potentially permanent changes in the brain’s chemistry that may increase the frequency and severity of anxiety attacks and episodes.