Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a condition in which people suffer from unwanted, intrusive thoughts. Often, these thoughts have to do with fear of contamination, fear of hurting themselves or others, thoughts of sexual acts, or preoccupation with certain numbers. To assuage these fears, people with OCD develop compulsive behaviors such as hand washing, affinity or aversion to certain numbers, obsessively checking to be sure the door is locked or the stove is turned off. Typically, people with OCD know their fears and anxieties are irrational, but they obsess anyway, and the compulsive behavior that accompanies the obsessive thoughts is often the only way to find relief, however brief. The symptoms of OCD can severely disrupt your life. The obsessive thoughts make it hard to concentrate and the compulsive behaviors can be inconvenient and time consuming. What’s more, OCD is a kind of anxiety disorder and people with OCD often feel anxiety about their compulsive thoughts, which is compounded by their awareness that the thoughts and behaviors are irrational. This anxiety often leads to substance use as a way of coping. While around 10 percent of the general population struggles with substance use, about 20 percent of people diagnosed with anxiety disorders have a substance use issue and about 25 percent of people who seek treatment for OCD have a substance use issue. Substance use, like the compulsive behaviors, provides temporary relief from the anxiety caused by intrusive thoughts. Unfortunately, substance use only makes symptoms worse in the long run. While drugs like alcohol and benzodiazepines can relieve tension for a little while, the anxiety typically comes back worse than before when the drugs start to wear off or when you build a tolerance. Once you develop a physical dependence or addiction, meeting that need becomes an additional source of anxiety. OCD is typically treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication, usually SSRIs. The psychotherapy is usually some form of cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, and often focuses on exposing patients to whatever they obsess over. This exposure neutralizes the intense anxiety about the stimulus, reducing the power of the intrusive thoughts. Anyone needing help for OCD and addiction should find a treatment program that can treat both in an integrated way. Usually, the substance use is brought under control first, since it can interfere with therapy for OCD. However, treating only the addiction without treating the OCD makes the substance use extremely likely to recur.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or OCD, we can help. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have the resources to effectively treat a dual diagnosis. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848.
