Stressing about a project at work or worrying about an upcoming event are things we’ve all done. It’s normal to be nervous or anxious about something exciting or unknown; anxiety is a natural reaction to stress. In manageable doses, anxiety can even increase our focus and let us know of potential danger. However, if you suffer from an anxiety disorder, your reactions to everyday situations can be magnified into something much more excessive.Alignright Size Medium Wp Image 4151

At Oceanfront Recovery, we know that dealing with an anxiety disorder is difficult. Sometimes, the methods you use to deal with these fears may lead to substance abuse and addiction. Our experienced therapists in our anxiety treatment program utilize various treatment modalities to help you overcome your fears and fight your addiction. Our mental health treatment center in California is specially designed to help those struggling with mental health concerns, including anxiety and substance use disorder.

What Is an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses that cause excessive worry and fear, which can interfere with everyday life and make it difficult to cope. Some common anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias. Symptoms of an anxiety disorder may include the following:

  • Excessive worrying
  • Panic attacks
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Heart palpitations
  • Feelings of dread and loss of control
  • Sweating
  • Chest pain or tightness

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health issues. Anxiety disorder, alongside substance abuse, requires help from experts at Oceanfront Recovery’s dual diagnosis treatment center in California. Our intake specialists will help guide you or your loved one to the best treatment programs for your situation. It’s common for a mental health concern like anxiety to provoke a substance use disorder.

The Link Between Anxiety and Substance Use

Often, individuals will be unaware they are dealing with an anxiety disorder. They will be aware that they are in discomfort, and self-medicating with alcohol or drugs relieves their distress. Unfortunately, this only masks the issue allowing it to worsen while also putting the individual at greater risk of developing an addiction. Similarly, individuals with a substance use disorder are at a much higher risk of developing a mental health concern. Their body and brain chemistry are altered, making them more susceptible. Our dual diagnosis treatment program is designed to address both issues simultaneously, allowing individuals to heal more thoroughly. Aside from treating anxiety disorders, our mental health programs also include the following:

  • ADHD treatment
  • Bipolar disorder treatment
  • Depression treatment
  • OCD treatment
  • PTSD treatment
  • Schizophrenia treatment
  • Seasonal affective disorder treatment

Types of Anxiety Disorders Benefiting from an Anxiety Treatment Program

There are various kinds of anxiety disorders, including (but not limited to):

  • Generalized anxiety disorder this type of disorder involves excessive worry and tension. Your worries may be about everyday things, including responsibilities at home or work, family members, or other minor issues. Still, those worries are persistent and may interfere with your daily ability to function normally. Physical symptoms often include fatigue, difficulty sleeping, feeling “edgy” or restless, and difficulty concentrating.
  • Panic disorder – marked by recurring panic attacks, people with panic disorder experience both psychological and physical reactions that can be severe and overwhelming. Some of the symptoms experienced during a panic attack may cause you to feel like you are having a heart attack or other medical emergency, an elevated heart rate or chest pain, shortness of breath, shaking or sweating, dizziness and nausea, to name a few.
  • Social anxiety disorder – This disorder centers on social interactions and is characterized by worry that you will be awkward, humiliated, embarrassed, looked down on, or rejected in social situations. Some people avoid these situations entirely but are forced to attend or interact and endure them with a great deal of stress.

While the exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown, researchers believe they result from a combination of several factors, including genetic, developmental, psychological, and environmental. They can run in families and may occur in conjunction with another mental illness. Sometimes, people with anxiety disorders turn to alcohol or other substances to help quell their symptoms. They end up in a vicious circle of addiction, requiring help from an anxiety treatment program.

Discover How Oceanfront Recovery Can Help

If you or a loved one needs help managing your anxiety and conquering your addiction, contact Oceanfront Recovery today and speak confidentially with one of our experienced intake specialists. Take the first step to recovery. Reach out for help by calling us at (877) 296-7477.