Stress and anxiety are a part of life. Some of it is good, too. For instance, stress and anxiety can be motivators for you to do well in your life. However, when both of these get too much that they begin to overwhelm your daily life and functioning, it is a matter of concern. Many try different ways to cope – including substance use. But what does this do to your stress or anxiety? Let us read on to find out.
What Is Stress?
Stress is the physical and psychological strain you experience in response to a stressor – this can be related to education, job, relationships, physical illness, mental health conditions, or other areas of life.
Stress generally has negative connotations, but it is not always so. Eustress is good stress in that it becomes a motivator to succeed and even survive.
On the flip side, when stress becomes prolonged and overwhelming (chronic stress), it can lead to negative coping mechanisms – such as substance use.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a general response, characterized by unease, worry, and fear in anticipation of a future threat. While some anxiety is common in daily life, when anxiety becomes too overwhelming, it becomes a mental health condition.
Anxiety disorders are characterized by overwhelming feelings of anxiety that are disproportionate to the threat in question. Common types of anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and so on.
People with anxiety turn to substance use as a way to self-medicate – to ease the pain and suffering. But substance use can only lead to or worsen anxiety disorders.
When anxiety disorder and substance abuse co-occur, it is known as a dual diagnosis. Nearly 20% of the time, those with an anxiety disorder also struggle with substance abuse.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse can vary between mild, moderate, and severe, depending on the symptoms of substance abuse as provided by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR):
- Intense, persistent cravings and urges to use the substance.
- Using the substance more heavily and frequently than intended.
- Spending a lot of time acquiring, using, and recovering from substance use.
- Being unable to manage substance use and other responsibilities, like education, job, family, and more.
- Using the substance despite its ill effects on physical and mental health.
- Using the substance despite its adverse impacts on relationships.
- Giving up on passions, interests, and other social activities in favor of substance use.
- Using the substance in high-risk, dangerous circumstances, like driving under the influence or operating heavy machinery.
- Developing tolerance or needing more and more of the substance to achieve the desired effect.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms in the case of trying to cut down or give up substance use.
- Being unable to cut down or stop substance use despite one or more previous attempts.
Typically, the diagnosis goes like this:
- If you are struggling with two or three symptoms, it is a mild substance use disorder.
- If you are struggling with four or five symptoms, it is a moderate substance use disorder.
- If you are struggling with six or more symptoms, it is a severe substance use disorder.
Licensed and trained mental health practitioners use the DSM-5-TR to diagnose a person with the condition and refer to a certain level of treatment – like standard outpatient care, outpatient rehab, or inpatient rehab.
The Relationship Between Stress, Anxiety, and Substance Abuse
Stress and anxiety can lead to substance use. Typically, this becomes a way to self-medicate – to feel better. However, given the euphoric and relaxing feelings that substance use leads to, it becomes a vicious cycle of abuse that keeps repeating itself over and over again.
Self-medication can temporarily relieve a person from the feelings of stress and anxiety, but it does not get to the bottom of these feelings. They will come back, and when they do, so will substance use.
The irony is that as substance use becomes heavy and uncontrolled, it slowly changes the brain chemistry and functioning to the point that it becomes a priority in life. The constant cravings, urges, and need to acquire and use substances will further lead to stress and anxiety.
This way, the co-occurring conditions of stress, anxiety, and substance abuse can become intricate and complicated. When you consider dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms, it will only further complicate treatment and recovery.
How Is Dual Diagnosis Treated?
As stress and anxiety can separately, or together, lead to substance use, these conditions need to be properly diagnosed by mental health specialists to refer to a dual diagnosis treatment.
Typically, mental health specialists use clinical interviews and DSM-5-TR criteria to diagnose these conditions and to rule out other conditions, in case of overlapping symptoms.
They will also conduct some physical examinations, like urine tests and blood tests, to rule out other underlying medical conditions.
If someone receives a dual diagnosis, it can be challenging. However, dual diagnosis provides comprehensive treatment options that will facilitate a well-rounded, lasting recovery. Typically, this involves:
- Medically supervised detox
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Medication management
- Peer support programs
- Aftercare, involving sober living, ongoing therapy/counseling, medication monitoring, and peer support like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and more.
Begin Healing Today With Sober Living West!
If you or a loved one is struggling with stress, anxiety, and substance abuse, then do not delay your recovery any longer. Reach out to Sober Living West today.
Our experts will sit with you to understand your story, needs, and goals to connect you with holistic recovery options. We also offer leading sober living homes, where you find a sober community that cares for you.
Please call us at (310) 218-5158 to learn more about our comprehensive recovery options.