Mental illnesses are extremely common in the U.S. – in fact, approximately 43.8 million adults experience some form of mental illness in a given year. That’s 18.5 percent, or around one in every five adults.

9.8 million of those individuals suffer from a mental illness that is more serious, substantially interfering with or limiting one or more life activities.

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent form of mental illness in the U.S. According to research conducted by the National Comorbidity Study Replica (NCS-R), 19.1 percent of adults in the country suffered from an anxiety disorder in the study year; 31.1 percent had experienced an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

Anxiety comes in many forms and can be caused by several factors. Some forms of anxiety are normal and even helpful. An individual may experience some anxiety, for example, before starting a new job or when starting a new relationship. A normal amount of anxiety may encourage the individual to prepare better for their first day at the job, or give careful thought to the type of relationship they wish to be in. A healthy amount of fear and anxiety may help to improve the individual’s outcome in these situations.

Anxiety becomes a problem when it begins to have a destructive effect on an individual – when fear or anxious feelings take over and begin to have a negative effect on a person’s life. To use the same examples as above, an individual might have an anxiety disorder if they were starting a new job and had so much fear that they didn’t sleep, and then that anxiety continued and affected their life and work performance. Or if, when beginning a new relationship, they worried about it incessantly, and rather than enjoy their new situation, they began sabotaging it due to fear and uncertainty.

The term “anxiety disorders” encompasses many different conditions of anxiety, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, phobias, and Social Anxiety Disorder.

Substance abuse, too, comes in many forms and is extremely prevalent in the U.S. In most cases, it’s impossible to know whether individuals struggling with both a substance abuse problem and an anxiety disorder began using a substance to help with their anxiety problems, or developed anxiety problems as a result of their substance use.

The link between anxiety problems and substance abuse, however, is clear. Examining the connection between the two can help to understand an individual’s struggle with anxiety and substance abuse, as well as their path to recovery and a better life.

Anxiety and Substance Abuse

Individuals with an anxiety disorder may struggle with daily life – including relationships, work and family obligations, and reaching their personal goals. Held back by fear and anxious tendencies, they may be “stuck” in a pattern of negative thoughts and bad habits.

Because there are so many different types of anxiety disorders, this pattern of fear and bad habits may manifest itself in numerous ways.

People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, for example, may struggle to find joy and relaxation in their lives, and instead find themselves filled with worry and stress.

Individuals with Panic Disorder may suffer from uncontrollable panic attacks. Those with phobias may struggle with specific fears that hinder their life, and people with Social Anxiety Disorders may be unable to enjoy or express themselves in social settings.

Drugs and substances may appeal to individuals suffering from anxiety disorders for many reasons. Some may use a drug or substance and feel they are finally “free” from the anxiety that holds them back, suddenly able to express themselves and live the life they’re meant to live.

Others may use a drug or substance to escape, and experience calm and relaxation that they feel is otherwise out of their grasp.

Many sufferers of anxiety don’t realize they have a problem or that it’s treatable; they may begin to self-medicate with a drug or substance and quickly become dependent on it, not realizing that there are other options available to help them overcome their anxiety.

Substance abuse and anxiety can also work the other way.

Sometimes, an individual will first develop a substance abuse problem, and then an anxiety disorder. Many substances cause anxiety as a side effect, both during use and withdrawal. This increased anxiety, along with the incredibly stressful lifestyle that accompanies a drug dependency (so often including lying, shame, and guilt), can lead to an individual developing a more severe anxiety problem.

Which Drugs Are Used by Individuals with Anxiety?

No one plans on developing a substance use disorder. It’s a highly unpredictable condition, and those with anxiety disorders can become addicted to any substance; they can also be introduced to that substance in any number of ways.

Some individuals may become addicted to medications prescribed to them for their anxiety problems. Some commonly prescribed anxiety medications, like benzodiazepines, are highly addictive and habit-forming.

Others may be drawn to the energy and euphoric rushes they might experience while using stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine. These may especially appeal to those who suffer from social anxiety – suddenly they’re able to communicate with energy and enthusiasm, free of the worries and inhibitions that have held them back in the past.

The calming and sedative-like effects of many depressant-type drugs and opioids can also have great appeal to those suffering from anxiety, offering a soothing reprieve from worry and stress.

Many of these drugs are extremely addictive and have severe withdrawal side effects.

The Addiction and Anxiety Cycle

Whether an individual started with a drug problem that became an anxiety problem, or vice versa, once they are struggling with both, their life can easily spiral into a dark spiral of addiction and anxiety.

Once dependent upon a substance or drug, an individual with an anxiety disorder may feel unable to deal with daily life and stress without the aid of that substance. The symptoms of their anxiety disorder may feel more intense than ever before without their drug.

But when on the drug, the individual may also experience severe anxiety; in fact, the drug, in some cases, will be the cause of the anxiety. For others, the shame and frustration of dealing with a drug dependency exacerbate an existing anxiety condition. In either case, the user is in a near-constant state of anxiety as they use; they may consciously plan to quit the substance, but find themselves unable to do so.

Anxiety is also a side effect of withdrawal from most drugs, and when trying to quit, a user may again find themselves in a position in which their substance or drug of choice offers what seems like their only escape from the worry and anxious thoughts they’re experiencing in addition to other uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

The allure of the “high” offered by their drug, and the relief they know it could bring, can become overwhelming to a user, especially if they are attempting to withdraw on their own.

Even if a user can successfully make it through the initial acute withdrawal symptoms, the aftermath of addiction can also be a source of anxiety. Many individuals have to piece their lives together again after a devastating addiction. The stress can be great, especially when combined with the struggle to remain clean and sober. Many are tempted to use again.

Treatment for Individuals Struggling with Addiction & Anxiety

The dangerous cycle of addiction and anxiety is one reason it’s imperative that individuals facing both a substance dependency and anxiety problem have a comprehensive treatment plan in place to set them up for continued, long-term success.

For many, an in-treatment residential recovery program is the surest path to recovery. Medical professionals who are experienced in co-treating anxiety and addiction will be able to provide full support throughout the process, from withdrawal to re-entry into society. In such a setting, a user doesn’t have to worry about everyday life, and can instead focus only on their sobriety and recovery.

Outpatient treatment programs can also be very effecGve for anxiety and drug abuse recovery, particularly when supervised by a professional experienced in co-treating the disorders.

For the greatest chance of success, either opGon should provide an individual with a recovery program that offers treatment for underlying emotional issues, as well as assistance for the physical and physiological symptoms of addiction.

MedicaGon-Assisted Treatment (MAT) may be used to co-treat anxiety and substance abuse.

Non-habit-forming medications, like certain antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, may be used to help alleviate ongoing and drug-related anxiety issues. In severe cases of withdrawal, medication may be used to make the experience more comfortable and easier to overcome.

Counseling should also be a major component of treatment for those dealing with both anxiety and addiction. Ongoing therapy can help an individual realize the underlying trauma or emotional issues that may have drawn them to substance abuse in the first place, as well as provide them with the coping skills they need to make better behavioral choices and navigate through post-recovery life.

Seeking Help

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