Anxiety can affect a person dealing with substance use disorders at many points including when they have taken positive action and begun an addiction therapy program. Deciding to take part in an addiction treatment program is a major step in the right direction, and like any other change in life, good or bad, stress and anxiety can be a part of the equation. Alcohol addiction and abuse, including binge drinking, and drug addiction, including opioid addiction, affect millions of people across the country and many find excuses not to begin substance abuse treatment. Anxiety and substance abuse are often linked and if someone is trying to work through both the early part of their addiction recovery can be tough. That’s why at Serenity Oaks we take a holistic approach in our recovery programs based on the knowledge that substance use can affect a person’s mind, body, and spirit. Additionally, a cooccurring disorder, like a panic disorder for example, resulting in a dual diagnosis is the situation approximately half of drug addicts and substance abusers face.
If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or drug abuse and possibly anxiety and depression as well, please call us at Serenity Oaks today. Our outstanding staff of drug and alcohol addiction treatment specialists will review all of the levels of care we have available with you. It’s never too early or too late to address an issue with drugs and alcohol.
Is Anxiety Common In Early Recovery?
Basic levels of anxiety and depression is something people deal with in their lives all of the time. However, struggling with Generalized Anxiety Disorder or clinical depression is another story entirely. In other words, even if someone has not been diagnosed with anxiety as a mental health issue that needs treatment, they can still feel anxious and experience a level of anxiety when they begin their addiction recovery. So yes, anxiety is common in early recovery but there are coping strategies that drug rehab and alcohol rehab professionals can coach patients in to assist them during the first days of a treatment program.
What to do When Early Recovery Triggers Your Anxiety
There are several things you can do as part of an over coping mechanism to work through anxiety during early recovery. Here are a few things you can do that people who have coped with anxiety during recovery have found helpful:
- Keep yourself distracted: Anxiety is often temporary. If you are feeling anxious, get in a workout or go for a run. The activity will also help burn off nervous energy. If you don’t have time for that, try deep breathing exercises instead.
- Keep a strict eating and sleeping schedule: Dealing with anxiety can be as simple as having a consistent and structured routine.
- Practice mindfulness meditation techniques: When you experience anxiety, mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga help to greatly reduce your level of anxiety.
What Happens If I Relapse?
If you are struggling with substance abuse, and you have been going through a cycle of using and then being clean and sober for a period of time, it’s important to reduce stress and reduce anxiety as these can both be triggers to use or drink again. Triggers to anxiety to be wary of:
- Loneliness
- New surroundings
- Meeting new people
- Sleeplessness
- Starting a new career
If you relapse and you have been treated before in a rehab program, you should contact them immediately. We are always available at Serenity Oaks to spend time talking to someone who has relapsed about their next step and relapse prevention in the future.
Serenity Oaks Dual Diagnosis Treatment
At Serenity Oaks, our substance abuse treatment programs help people who are struggling with anxiety as they begin their addiction recovery. We know there will be tough days ahead, and we are here to help every step of the way. Call us today at (833) 720-0708 to talk about our available recovery programs.
