Anxiety & Addiction Treatment at Banyan

How Anxiety and Addiction Are Diagnosed

Licensed and trained professionals in the field of mental health and substance use treatment diagnose anxiety and addiction. They may ask you about your symptoms and how you use drugs and alcohol, your medical history, and your substance use treatment history. 

They will also be looking at your trauma history, your medications, your sleep, and how you function day-to-day. They will look into the timeline of your symptoms to find out if your anxiety began before your addiction, along with your addiction, and/or because of your addiction.

These questions are a vital part of the diagnostic process. Your diagnosis can only be made if your symptoms are present. However, sometimes anxiety symptoms mimic withdrawal, and at the same time, substance use masks or even worsens the mental health symptoms. Identifying an issue accurately helps healthcare professionals design a more effective and safe recovery plan.

Treating Anxiety and Substance Use Disorders

Given that each problem may cause or worsen the other, clinicians should address both simultaneously. Integrated care helps patients better understand the link between anxiety and drug use while also encouraging them to develop more positive methods of dealing with stressful situations. This is another reason patients might benefit from a dual diagnosis approach and a full range of care options, such as those available at Banyan.

Treatment could involve:

• Individual therapy focused on trigger identification, cognitive distortions, and emotional patterns
• Cognitive behavioral therapy aimed at reframing negative thoughts and enhancing coping mechanisms
• Group therapy designed to foster community and accountability
• Prevention strategies specifically focused on managing stress, avoidance behaviors, and high-risk scenarios
• Medication management, when medically appropriate
• Psychoeducation regarding the interplay between anxiety, cravings, and drug use
• Skills training in grounding techniques, emotional regulation, and routine establishment
• Clinical research into substance use disorders and anxiety, as well as years of research regarding the connection between anxiety disorders and substance abuse, offer valuable insights into why dual diagnosis approaches are so effective when cognitive distortions play a part in anxious thoughts.

Depending on their needs, medications may play a role for some patients; providers must weigh the options, especially when co-occurring addiction is involved. Successful treatment isn't solely about preventing relapse; it is also about teaching patients how to manage their anxieties without relying on drugs or alcohol.

How Banyan Approaches the Treatment of Anxiety and Addiction

At Banyan, we start by conducting an evaluation to assess how anxiety and addictive behaviors are impacting a patient's life. Our clinicians evaluate the severity of these conditions, including substance use history, safety considerations, history of prior treatment, and how the condition is affecting overall quality of life. From there, we craft a treatment plan that supports both substance use disorder and mental health concerns.

Banyan offers a range of treatment approaches based on clinical research and the overall needs of the individual. Patients can benefit from counseling, psychiatric services, relapse prevention programs, and support as they develop coping mechanisms. Patients can also benefit from the availability of our mental health programs, in-person assessment at any of our locations, and more remote care.

What Does the Level of Care for Anxiety and Addiction Treatment Look Like?

The appropriate level of care is dependent on a variety of factors, including the severity of symptoms, patterns of drug use, medical history, safety concerns, and level of support at home.

Some may need more structured care as they enter treatment, while others may be more suited to partial, step-down treatment, or a less structured care model.

Residential Treatment

Inpatient mental health care provides live-in, intensive support for adults with severe anxiety and addiction problems that are affecting their ability to function.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Patients get full, intensive treatment throughout the day and come home at night. It can be a good option for those who do not need inpatient treatment but need more therapy and supervision than they would be able to access in an outpatient setting.

Outpatient Treatment Program

Patients receive ongoing treatment with a bit more flexibility. They can be a good option for those with a mild to moderate level of addiction, or those looking to step down from a more intense level of treatment. 

Virtual IOP

Telehealth may offer consistent remote help for those adults who require regular treatment and require a bit more flexibility. Research on co-occurring anxiety and substance use that have been published in peer-reviewed journals suggests maintaining consistency through the different levels of care.

What Can You Expect From Anxiety and Addiction Treatment?

Anxiety and addiction treatment starts with an assessment to identify and assess both anxiety symptoms and substance use. Once the clinical team has an understanding of the patient’s requirements, a treatment plan will be implemented and modified over time to reflect progress. 

In the context of day-to-day treatment, you may be expected to participate in individual counseling, group therapy, coping-skills practice, and trigger work related to anxiety and substance use. You will be able to gain skills in identifying avoidance patterns, managing physical anxiety symptoms, and responding to cravings.