Anxiety Disorders Rehab Centers

At Rainier Rehab, we recognize the challenging cycle between anxiety and substance use. Our directory helps you find specialized treatment centers that understand this connection and offer integrated care for lasting recovery.

Understanding Anxiety and Addiction

Anxiety disorders and substance use disorders are deeply interconnected. Many people initially use alcohol or drugs to calm anxiety symptoms, but over time, substance use actually worsens anxiety, creating a difficult cycle to break without professional help.

Types of anxiety disorders commonly co-occurring with addiction:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent, excessive worry about many areas of life
• Panic Disorder: Recurring panic attacks with intense physical symptoms
• Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of social situations and judgment
• Specific Phobias: Intense fear of specific objects or situations
• Agoraphobia: Fear of situations where escape might be difficult

The Self-Medication Trap

Alcohol and certain drugs can temporarily reduce anxiety symptoms, making self-medication appealing. However, this approach backfires:

• Alcohol withdrawal significantly increases anxiety levels
• Tolerance develops, requiring more substances for the same relief
• Substances prevent learning healthy coping skills
• Drug-induced anxiety can persist even after short-term relief
• Addiction adds new sources of anxiety (financial, legal, relationship problems)

Integrated Treatment for Anxiety and Addiction

Treating anxiety and addiction together through dual diagnosis treatment produces the best outcomes.

Evidence-Based Approaches

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): The gold standard for anxiety treatment, helping identify and change anxious thought patterns
• Exposure Therapy: Gradually facing feared situations to reduce anxiety response
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Skills for managing intense emotions and distress
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Learning to accept anxiety while living according to values

Relaxation and Coping Skills

• Mindfulness meditation
• Deep breathing techniques
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Grounding exercises
• Exercise and physical activity

Medication Considerations

While benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for anxiety, they carry high addiction potential. Treatment centers work with psychiatrists to find non-addictive alternatives like SSRIs, SNRIs, or buspirone that effectively manage anxiety without risking addiction.

What to Look for in Treatment

When choosing a treatment center for co-occurring anxiety and addiction:

• Expertise in treating anxiety disorders alongside addiction
• Access to psychiatric care for medication management
• CBT and other evidence-based anxiety treatments
• Skills training for managing anxiety without substances
• Gradual exposure work in a supportive environment

Breaking Free is Possible

You don't have to choose between managing your anxiety and recovering from addiction. With proper treatment, you can learn to manage anxiety effectively while building a life free from substance dependence.

Resources for anxiety and addiction:

• NIMH - Anxiety Disorders
• Anxiety & Depression Association of America