Understanding the Connection Between Anxiety and Drug Use: Insights and Solutions

Intrusive thoughts, a racing heart, and a constant sense of unease and dread. 

The desire to feel better leads to using your substance of choice. You experience a bit of relief, but the relentless anxiety returns, worse than ever, as soon as the effects start to wear off. 

You’re not alone. Many people suffer from both anxiety and drug use, and while the cycle can be vicious, relief is possible. 

We explore the links between anxiety and drug use, explain why they are often co-occurring, and explore treatment options offered by the professional team at Dove Recovery. 

Table of Contents

• Is Addiction Linked to Anxiety?
• How Do Drugs Affect Anxiety?
• Risk Factors for Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder and Anxiety
• How To Treat Anxiety and Drug Use
• Dove Recovery Provides Therapies for Anxiety and Drug Use in Columbus, OH

Yes. According to this study conducted by Joshua P. Smith and Sarah W. Book, “Decades of research in psychiatry have shown that anxiety disorders and substance use disorders co-occur at greater rates than would be expected by chance alone.”

It is common for mental health conditions like anxiety to co-occur with substance use disorders (SUDs). Individuals may use drugs and/or alcohol to cope with the symptoms of anxiety disorders, a form of self-medication that can progress to dependence or addiction. Additionally, substance abuse or misuse can cause anxiety or its symptoms in individuals who haven’t otherwise experienced them.

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences times of stress and moments of anxiousness. Anxiety disorders are more than just these occasional moments that can be explained logically by life’s circumstances. 

When a person suffers from an anxiety disorder, they can experience near-constant anxiety, and anxiety attacks can be triggered at any time. 

Here are some symptoms you might observe if you or a loved one is experiencing an anxiety disorder:

• Unexplainable feelings of fear or dread
• Difficulty concentrating
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Increased heart rate or palpitations
• Chest pain
• Nausea, upset stomach, or diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Trembling or shaking
• Insomnia

If you notice several of these symptoms, consider consulting a health professional to determine whether it is anxiety and find out what potential treatment options are available.

While prescription drugs from a medical professional can be used to treat anxiety, many people turn to illegal/recreational drugs to self-medicate. The effects of the unprescribed drugs don’t last long and can exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety — potentially leading to a vicious cycle of continued use.

Let’s dive a bit deeper into what this cycle looks like. It is common for people with anxiety to use unprescribed substances, like alcohol and drugs, to self-medicate their symptoms. Sometimes, this results in temporary relief, but in the long run, the use of unprescribed drugs and alcohol intensifies anxiety symptoms. Often, this leads to increased use in an attempt to feel relief. 

Due to the comorbidity of anxiety disorders alongside substance use disorder, it is often necessary to treat both simultaneously to see lasting results. If you or a loved one is struggling with anxiety and drug use, Dove Recovery in Columbus, Ohio, specializes in treating both. Contact us today to learn more. 

Drug Use as a Cause of Anxiety

Alcohol and drugs change the chemistry of the brain and gut and especially impact the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. Here is one example of a study revealing a correlation between ethanol (alcohol) use and symptoms of anxiety in mice, in addition to disruption of the gut microbiota.

Alcohol and drug use can cause symptoms that mimic anxiety and may or may not be indicative of an anxiety disorder. It is often necessary for individuals struggling with anxiety and drug use to maintain sobriety for a time to understand whether they suffer from a true anxiety disorder. 

Often, anxiety symptoms will decrease with a substantial time of abstinence, but in some individuals, they will not. It is important to receive care from a qualified team of professionals to navigate the challenges of getting sober, staying sober, and appropriately treating anxiety and other mental health disorders. 

Drug Use as an Impediment to the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

It can be difficult for health professionals to appropriately treat anxiety disorders when an individual is also suffering from substance use disorder. To get a clear grasp of the anxiety disorder, abstinence from drugs and alcohol for an extended time is necessary. 

Without abstinence, it’s impossible to have a clear picture of what symptoms stem from drug or alcohol use vs. the anxiety disorder. It is also impossible to find the right medication or combination of drugs to treat anxiety due to interactions with substances.

The relationship between anxiety and drug use is complicated and multi-faceted. The two disorders often co-occur. Studies conducted over many years have shown that SUD increases the odds of having anxiety, and having anxiety increases the likelihood of having a SUD. More generally, emotional dysregulation and other symptoms of anxiety as they relate to substance use and abuse were explored in this 2021 study. Here are some common risk factors for anxiety disorders and SUD:

• Traumatic experiences: These can result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, leading people to use substances to cope.
• Stress: Chronic stress can lead to anxiety and SUD.
• Genetics: Genetic factors can play a role in the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder and SUD.
• Epigenetics: Different from genetics, factors that affect the regulation of gene expression and gene activity can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorder and SUD.
• Nervous system and neurotransmitter dysregulation: These systems are deeply linked to both SUD and mental health.

potentially lead to adverse reactions and ineffective treatment due to the complex cooccurrences between the two conditions.

You want relief. That is why you turn to substance abuse. Not being fully honest about your substance use will limit your provider’s ability to help with your anxiety. Prescribed medications can mix dangerously with drugs and alcohol. Additionally, while using substances, your provider cannot get a clear picture of your anxiety due to the interactions between the two disorders. 

Getting into a rehab program for substance use that specializes in co-occurring conditions will lead to the best chance of recovery from both disorders. Dove Recovery in Columbus, OH, offers exactly this type of rehab.

Group Counseling

Group counseling at Dove Recovery in Columbus, Ohio, allows patients to share a confidential and therapeutic experience with their peers. This process is supported by a professional who can provide tools and techniques to alleviate anxiety in natural, healthy ways. Group counseling participants learn skills and receive support that will help them on their journey to recovery and sobriety.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy integral in an effective treatment for those struggling with addiction and mental health issues like anxiety and depression. CBT focuses on how a person’s thoughts affect their feelings and actions. 

Some benefits of CBT include:

• Increased self-awareness
• Healthier communication skills
• Improved coping skills
• Better emotional regulation
• Improved problem-solving and decision-making skills

Family Therapy

Family therapy consists of individual and group sessions. There is an opportunity for each family member to meet privately with the therapist to discuss the family dynamics with a focus on addiction. Then, the family meets in a group session to discuss their experiences and work together toward mutually beneficial solutions. 

Since family is imperative in supporting sustained sobriety, family therapy is a cornerstone of an effective recovery program. 

When you are ready to get help for your anxiety and drug use, Dove Recovery is here to help. 

We offer discreet, professional programs tailored to your schedule and needs. Combining withdrawal management, group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and family therapy is the core of our programs. 

If you are seeking drug rehab in Columbus, Ohio, look no further than Dove Recovery.