Dual diagnosis treatment also deals with anxiety disorder as an offshoot of substance abuse. But first, let’s talk about anxiety. This problem affects people in different ways. In most cases, it’s normal to feel anxious or apprehensive when talking to a large crowd, for instance, or when you are about to make a presentation to the boss.
However, in some cases, anxiety can dominate one’s life that it has become debilitating. Without any guidance, the person concerned might turn to alcohol and even drugs in order to cope with the condition. That will start off a slew of problems that he may not be equipped to deal with.
The irony is, the source of the addict’s imaginary courage (i.e. alcohol and drugs) will only serve to worsen his anxiety disorder.
What are the Types of Anxiety Disorder?
Although they might feel similar to the affected person, there are several classifications of anxiety.
These are:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – People who suffer from GAD typically overanalyze the situation that they scare themselves from committing action. Their fears and concerns are typically unrealistic when viewed by an objective observer. But of course, to their mind, these are very real.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Typically associated with soldiers coming home from war, PTSD is also experienced by those who become victims of a violent crime (rape, attempted homicide, mauling, etc.); as a result, they experience nightmares, flashbacks, prone to violence and inability to function in a social setting.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – The repeated actions and compulsive thoughts threaten to obstruct normalcy. These compulsions and very strong urges typically dominate the individual’s life and those around him or her.
- Social Phobia – Every ounce of the person’s will and thoughts is geared toward avoiding social situations. Symptoms include involuntary muscle reflexes, diarrhea, extensive sweating and irregular heartbeat.
- Panic Disorder – When anxiety becomes so unbearable that the mind will shut down. Symptoms include chest pain, uncontrollable trembling, palpitations, sweating and even shortness of breath. It’s not uncommon for the person to faint.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Anxiety Disorder
Not all rehab centers are equipped to offer dual diagnosis treatment programs. But it’s crucial to address the question of why a person becomes addicted to alcohol or drugs, however. Treating the addiction in itself will result in a very high rate of relapse.
These are just some of the ways to treat anxiety:
- Treatment in a medical setting. Close supervision by certified medical personnel is needed under this setting. That’s in addition to medication to minimize the ill-effects of withdrawal in most cases.
- Holistic approach. Another method is the holistic therapy. This includes, but not limited to, Yoga, art and music sessions, massage therapy, acupuncture, and acupressure, among others. The purpose is to create a harmony between mind, body, and spirit.
- Dialectic behavior therapy. Originally created to help those who have suicidal tendencies, this type of therapy is very useful in order to minimize the risk of self-harm by the affected individual. This involves psychotherapy sessions, which highlights problem-solving in different hypothetical scenarios.
- Cognitive behavior therapy. This one attempts to pinpoint the bad habits and core thoughts that create anxiety and panic attacks. The idea is to help the patient recognize these thoughts and hopefully, let go of the negativity attached to them.
- Group Therapy. Although individual therapy sessions are important, putting them in a situation where there’s a need for interpersonal connection is just as crucial. These will help the person cope when thrust into a social setting.
Although they operate under the same principle, dual diagnosis treatment programs vary from center to center. Before enrolling in one, it’s important for you to do your research and ask questions during ocular visits to arrive at a good decision.
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