Anxiety/Panic Disorders and Addiction Treatment at Banyan Chicago

When an individual suffers from anxiety, panic disorders, and addiction simultaneously, it’s referred to as a dual diagnosis. People who suffer from anxiety or panic disorder and addiction may require a specific form of treatment that targets the facets of both their mental illness and substance abuse disorder. The symptoms of addiction, anxiety, and panic disorders are different, and each may be brought on for different reasons. While mental illness and substance abuse are often linked, both required their own individual forms of treatments. Our drug rehab in Chicago offers anxiety/panic disorders and addiction treatment that can help people battling with a dependency and these types of mental disorders get the most efficient care possible.

Symptoms of Anxiety and Panic Attacks

While the signs of addiction are largely dependent on the substance being abused, panic and anxiety symptoms are different. Individuals with these conditions are often under severe distress. Depending on the severity of their condition, they may be easily triggered by certain situations or people.

The most common of these symptoms include:

    • Sweating
    • Chest pains
    • Nervousness
    • Feeling of Unease
    • Stomach Pain
    • Uncontrollable Shaking
    • Hot Flashes
    • Dizziness
    • Paranoia
    • Rapid Heart Rate
    • Trouble Regulating Breathing

In most dual diagnosis cases, the person’s substance abuse stems from their attempts to self-medicate and cope with the symptoms of their mental illness. Rather than receive addiction treatment or mental health help, they try to alleviate the side effects of their condition with drinking or drug abuse. For many people who struggle with panic, anxiety disorders and substance abuse, quitting drugs or alcohol can potentially worsen symptoms of mental illness. In these cases, the best thing the individual can do is get anxiety/panic disorders and addiction treatment at our Illinois rehab facility.

Is There a Correlation Between Anxiety and Addiction?

Yes, there is a well-established correlation between anxiety and addiction. Individuals experiencing anxiety disorders are at an increased risk of developing substance use disorders, and vice versa. Several factors contribute to the complex relationship between anxiety and addiction:

  • Self-Medication:
    • Some individuals with anxiety may turn to substances as a way to self-medicate and alleviate their symptoms temporarily.
    • Drugs or alcohol can provide a short-term sense of relief from anxiety, contributing to the development of a substance use disorder.
  • Neurobiological Factors:
    • Anxiety and addiction share common neurobiological pathways, particularly those involving neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
    • Changes in these neurotransmitter systems can contribute to both anxiety disorders and the reinforcing effects of addictive substances.
  • Genetic Predisposition:
    • There is evidence of a genetic predisposition to both anxiety and addiction, suggesting a shared genetic vulnerability.
    • Individuals with a family history of either condition may be more susceptible to developing both anxiety and addiction.
  • Environmental Stressors:
    • Stressful life events and environmental factors can contribute to the development of both anxiety disorders and substance use disorders.
    • Chronic stress may exacerbate anxiety symptoms and increase the likelihood of turning to substances for relief.
  • Common Underlying Factors:
    • Underlying factors such as trauma, childhood adversity, or disruptions in early development may contribute to the co-occurrence of anxiety and addiction.
    • Addressing these underlying factors is crucial for effective treatment.
  • Withdrawal and Relapse:
    • The withdrawal symptoms associated with substance use can mimic or intensify symptoms of anxiety.
    • Fear of withdrawal or anxiety-related triggers can contribute to the cycle of substance use and addiction.

It's essential to recognize the bidirectional nature of the relationship between anxiety and addiction. Effective treatment should address both conditions simultaneously through integrated approaches. This may include behavioral therapies, medication management, and support groups to address both the symptoms of anxiety and the challenges associated with addiction.

Integrated treatment approaches, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions, have been shown to be effective in addressing both anxiety and addiction concurrently. Additionally, addressing underlying issues and stressors is crucial for breaking the cycle of co-occurring anxiety and addiction.

Choose Our Anxiety/Panic Disorders and Addiction Program

At Banyan Treatment Centers Chicago, our anxiety/panic disorder and addiction treatment plan involve individual and group therapy sessions, offers education on both disorders and addiction, family support groups, relapse prevention and more. Because support from loved ones is important and beneficial to recovery, we include the addict’s loved ones in these programs. This allows addicts to make amends for any hurt they may have caused others, and family members will have the opportunity to learn about addiction and actively contribute to the person’s recovery. We also incorporate additional unique programs and therapies into patients’ overall treatment plan to ensure they have everything they need to succeed in their recovery journey.

Our goal for our anxiety and panic disorders program is to help patients overcome their disorder and addiction. Mental health plays an important role in recovery and sustaining sobriety. At Banyan Chicago, we want to support our patients during their recovery journey and always encourage their continuous growth. The more supported our patients feel, the more encouraged they’ll feel about continuing their recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse and mental illness, help is just a phone call away. Contact us today for more information about our rehab facility, mental health program, and addiction treatments.

Most Insurance Plans Accepted

At Banyan Chicago our goal is to make sure that anyone who needs treatment from drug and alcohol addiction are able to get the help needed to assist them on the road to recovery. If you don't have insurance contact us to inquire about alternate methods regarding treatment for yourself or a loved one.

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