Anxiety And Substance AbuseStress or anxiety and substance abuse have been shown to go hand in hand with one another for a number of individuals. When anxiety occurs, the body looks for a way to calm itself. If relief is not swift and strong enough, many people turn to self medication in the form of substance abuse. Substance abuse, in the form of alcohol, seems to be the number one choice to relieve anxiety. Most of us experience anxiety in our everyday lives, and there are many people who 'stop and have a drink' after work to relieve some stress. This becomes a problem, however, when it leads to substance abuse. Persons with an' addictive personality', that are predisposed to addiction, slip into the pattern of anxiety leading to substance abuse much more easily than others. As well, those who know that they have a substance abuse issue should be aware of the fact that anxiety can lead to relapse even when there has been a long period of sobriety. Drugs, of course, are also an issue when it comes to anxiety and substance abuse. Drugs relieve the stress by giving the abuser a false sense of well being along with a numbing effect. Persons with anxiety issues are found, usually, to also have a high occurrence of depression issues. This creates a type of double edged sword because as well as causing false euphoria, drugs can also worsen depression. Substance abusers that use drugs to relieve anxiety can also be triggered into relapse by stressful situations. Treating anxiety in substance abusers can be difficult. Finding a medication that will effectively deal with anxiety, does not cause addiction and is in low enough doses to prevent the likelihood of overdose, can be clinically challenging. Studies in this area are becoming more promising. This is due to the development of new medications that treat both anxiety and substance abuse. There are number of programs that have been developed by clinicians to try and reduce relapse due to anxiety. Theses programs teach self calming and coping skills in response to anxiety to prevent substance abuse. The key to these types of programs are self determination and lots of practice with the skills. The most important factor in treating anxiety and substance abuse is early intervention. The two together cause a vicious circle and the more substance abuse there is, the more anxiety and depression will occur. If you or someone you know is dealing with the issue of anxiety and substance abuse, seek professional help right away. Anxiety not only goes hand in hand with substance abuse, but over a prolonged period can cause other physical issues. This could be a crucial step in treatment and recovery and generally improving overall health. |