Anxiety and Addiction Treatment in Maryland

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by a “persistent feeling of anxiety or dread”. This mental health disorder often causes people to have difficulty concentrating. Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder may become fatigued easily and have trouble controlling their feelings of anxiety. They may have headaches, stomach aches, or other unexplained pains. Sleeping problems and restlessness are also common symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) states that GAD impacts 6.8 million adults in the United States. Also, generalized anxiety disorder often co-occurs with major depression. Studies have indicated a high prevalence of substance use disorders among individuals with GAD, with alcohol being the most commonly abused substance.

People with panic disorder experience panic attacks frequently. During these attacks, people typically experience trembling or tingling. They may sweat excessively and have feelings of doom or loss of control. Difficulty breathing, chest pains, and pounding of the heart can also be symptoms of panic attacks. According to the ADAA, panic disorders affect 6 million adults in the United States and women are more likely to experience it than men. Research suggests that people with panic disorder are more likely to struggle with substance abuse, potentially as a way to cope with the distressing symptoms of their anxiety.

People who have social anxiety disorder have an aversion to social situations. They generally have a fear of being judged by others and may be afraid of others watching them. Individuals with this anxiety disorder may have difficulty engaging in activities that are a part of normal, everyday life. For example, going to school or restaurants can be a very challenging experience for people with social anxiety disorder. Symptoms of this disorder might include extreme self-consciousness, sweating, trembling, racing heart, and stomachaches. People with this disorder may also have trouble making eye contact with others and may use an incredibly soft voice when they speak in social settings. The ADAA states that social anxiety disorder affects 15 million adults in the United States. Additionally, studies have found that individuals with SAD are at high risk for developing alcohol use disorders, possibly due to using alcohol as a coping mechanism to reduce social inhibitions and fears.

Phobias are aversions and fears of people, places, or things. People with phobia-related disorders may be afraid of things such as heights, specific animals, needles, flying, tight spaces, or blood. People who have phobias may have irrational fears of specific people, places, or objects. They may exhibit immediate and intense anxiety when they encounter the object or situation they fear. The Anxiety and Depression Association states that symptoms of phobia-related disorders typically first show in childhood. Women are more likely to have phobias than men. Approximately 19.3 million adults in the U.S. have specific phobias.

OCD and substance use disorders frequently co-occur. Individuals suffering from OCD may resort to substance use as a coping mechanism to deal with the distress caused by their obsessions and compulsions. This can lead to a cycle where substance use provides temporary relief from OCD symptoms but ultimately exacerbates the condition by increasing anxiety and the intensity of obsessions and compulsions. On the other hand, substance use can also lead to the development or worsening of OCD symptoms. Certain substances, especially stimulants, can increase anxiety and trigger obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Many individuals with PTSD turn to substances as a form of self-medication, attempting to numb their distressing symptoms or escape from their traumatic memories. Over time, this can lead to the development of a substance use disorder. In fact, research shows that nearly half of those with PTSD also meet the criteria for a substance use disorder. Conversely, substance use can exacerbate symptoms of PTSD. For example, alcohol and drugs can disrupt sleep patterns and increase the risk of nightmares and flashbacks. Substance use can also lower inhibitions, making it more likely for someone to put themselves in dangerous situations, potentially leading to re-traumatization.

This program allows recovering individuals to live at our facility while they receive treatment for their mental health and substance use disorder. Inpatient care can help people safely end substance abuse and provides them access to around-the-clock support and medical care. Residential treatment is a highly structured, individualized treatment type that is best suited for individuals who are suffering from severe addiction or co-occurring disorders. For those who are living with co-occurring mental health conditions and drug addiction, residential or inpatient treatment can make all the difference in whether someone stays in recovery after treatment is over.

Our outpatient program allows people to receive treatment without living at our treatment center. This is often the next step after residential care. Those who are recovering from drug abuse can enter an outpatient program and live at home for the duration of their treatment. We offer general outpatient care, an intensive outpatient program, and a partial hospitalization program. Each of these rehab programs can be effective for those who are transitioning from inpatient care into life outside of treatment.

We offer various approaches to help those recovering from substance use disorder and mental health conditions. Typically treatment is a combination of medicine and ongoing therapy. Initially, individuals may need to attend a treatment center and enter a program in order to get the disorders accurately diagnosed and treated. This could be an inpatient or outpatient level of care.

Medication

There are several types of medications that can be used to treat anxiety and substance use disorders. However, it’s crucial to remember that medication should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that often includes psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and other interventions.

Medications for Anxiety Disorders

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): These include drugs like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil). SSRIs work by increasing the level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps regulate mood. Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Examples include venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Benzodiazepines: These are used primarily for short-term relief of acute symptoms, as they have the potential for dependence and withdrawal over the long term. They include drugs like alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan). Buspirone: This is used to treat chronic anxiety and works by affecting the chemicals in the brain that regulate mood.

Medications for Substance Use Disorder

Naltrexone: Used to treat opioid and alcohol dependency by blocking the euphoric effects and feelings of using either substance, allowing the person to avoid the feeling “high”. Methadone: This is a long-acting opioid used when someone develops dependence. It helps to normalize the body’s neurological system and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine: Also used for opioid dependence, it can decrease withdrawal effects and cravings. Disulfiram (Antabuse): Used for treating chronic alcohol addiction. It produces unpleasant side effects like nausea and flushing of the skin when alcohol is consumed. Acamprosate (Campral): It can help individuals suffering from alcoholism maintain abstinence by restoring the balance of certain chemicals in the brain. Nicotine Replacement Therapies: These include patches, gums, lozenges, nasal sprays, and inhalers and are used to manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Each of these medications has its own benefits and risks, and not all will be suitable for every individual. Treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with a medical professional who specializes in mental health and addiction treatment. Specifically, someone who can take into account the individual’s specific needs, health status, and other factors.

Therapy

The main types of therapy found in most rehab programs include the following:

• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Individual therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Exposure therapy

Counseling and therapy can help people develop the routines and coping skills they need in order to avoid relapse. Also, therapy raises awareness of the negative consequences of addiction and promotes positive outcomes in recovery. This helps people stay focused on their treatment and continue to thrive in recovery! During therapy, those who are working on overcoming anxiety and addiction can learn more about their thought processes, emotions, harmful coping methods, and more. This then allows them to develop a healthier mindset. In group therapy, recovering individuals can learn more about the experiences of others. Group therapy also facilitates the development of peer relationships among recovering individuals.

Lifestyle Changes

In addition to medication and ongoing therapy, it’s important that individuals make the correct lifestyle changes in order to support their recovery efforts and avoid relapse. Lifestyle changes require keeping up a pattern or productive and healthy behaviors. The importance of each is learned during your treatment. Once you’re living on your own, it will be your responsible to keep up with these. Lifestyle changes can include the following:

• Set sleep patterns or behaviors
• A strict but healthy diet of foods and vitamin supplements
• Regular exercise schedule
• Scheduled times for meditation and/or self-care
• Journaling regularly to monitor moods, feelings, etc

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7370844/ https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/common-comorbidities-substance-use-disorders/part-1-connection-between-substance-use-disorders-mental-illness https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health