Key Takeaways on OCD and Addiction
- OCD is a potentially debilitating mental disorder that coincides with anxiety disorders, repetitive behaviors, and intrusive thoughts.
- The co-occurrence of OCD and addiction is common, and they often occur simultaneously, making it essential to address both conditions at the same time.
- These co-occurring disorders can be quite complex and don’t always respond to mental health or substance abuse treatment on their own.
- Dual diagnosis rehab centers can address both OCD and substance use with medication-assisted treatment, residential services, and experience familiar with treating OCD.
- OCD patients struggling with substance use disorders in Northern California can seek support from the professionals at The Lakes Treatment Center.
Having obsessive-compulsive disorder or an addiction on its own already comes with a variety of challenges. But if you have OCD and substance abuse difficulties together, you may need to seek a specific type of treatment.
OCD is a serious mental illness, and its co-occurrence with addiction increases the risk for complications and challenges in treatment.
So in this article, we will be discussing how OCD and addiction are co-occurring conditions and what this means for your recovery journey. We also explore what OCD is specifically, as well as how dual diagnosis treatment programs can help.
What is Diagnosed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder and mental health condition characterized by specific symptoms, including a pattern of undesirable thoughts and fears. When you have OCD, these thoughts and fears, otherwise known as obsessive thoughts or obsessions, result in unwanted repetitive behaviors.
Most people with OCD are driven to continue these compulsions or mental rituals as a way to reduce anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts. However, the more you give in to these compulsions, the more profound they become, often escalating in severity.
Although most people think of OCD as being strictly about the fear of germs, this isn’t always the case. Some people with OCD may have obsessions or fears associated with contamination, illness, or dirt, but OCD can take the form of many different things. It can also change in focus and severity depending on the stage of life you are in and whether or not you are experiencing stress.
Many types of OCD can be easy to pinpoint due to the irrational nature of OCD symptoms, which can cause significant distress. However, it is still important that you seek a clinical diagnosis from a mental health professional before assuming that you have OCD, as it is a mental health condition with specific diagnostic criteria.
Substance Use vs. Addiction
Before we dive into OCD and addiction and how dual diagnosis treatment can help, you need to understand the difference between substance use and substance abuse. This is something that many people misunderstand, which can result in them not getting treatment as soon as they should.
For the most part, mild substance use is considered normal, depending on the type of substance. For instance, drinking alcohol on a weekly basis is considered to be normal in most parts of the world, especially the US.
The problem for those with OCD symptoms, as well as behavioral addictions and anxiety disorders, is that mild substance use often turns into addiction. That’s because self-medication may provide temporary relief from obsessive thoughts or anxiety, but often leads to addiction and further negative consequences. Over time, drug use can quickly escalate into drug abuse and dependence.
Here are some signs to watch out for that could indicate that you are suffering from a substance abuse disorder:
- Your substance use is progressively escalating.
- You have started to hide your substance use from friends and family.
- You feel guilt or shame associated with your substance use, but are unable to quit.
- You are having a hard time managing your personal responsibilities, such as relationships, school, or work.
- You are experiencing negative consequences in your personal relationships due to addictive behaviours
- You are using substances as a way of treating mental health symptoms. Some individuals self-medicate to achieve temporary relief from distress, but this can lead to repeated abuse and negative consequences.
Navigating Co-Occurring Disorders: OCD and Addiction
Although not commonly known by most people, it is possible for someone to have an addiction and OCD at the same time. These are called co-occurring disorders, which is the term used for scenarios where you have a mental health disorder in combination with a substance abuse disorder.
Co-occurring disorders are quite complex since they usually involve one disorder leading to the development of another disorder. So, you may suffer from OCD, which leads you to abuse substances as a way of self-medicating your symptoms. Or, you could have an addiction that worsens your OCD.
At the heart of these disorders, addictive behaviors produce pleasure, while OCD behaviors reduce displeasure.
How Dual Diagnosis Treatment Can Help
Anyone who has been diagnosed with OCD and addiction needs to seek specialized treatment. And the best treatment option for co-occurring disorders is to join a dual diagnosis treatment program. Unlike other types of treatment programs, dual diagnosis treatment is capable of addressing mental health and substance abuse disorders at the same time.
Getting help for co-occurring disorders can be more challenging since these disorders often play off of one another. So, here are some of the main reasons why dual diagnosis treatment is the best fit for this type of situation:
- Physical & Mental Therapies: Mental health and addiction co-occurring disorders are complex, as you may experience a variety of symptoms and triggers. Dual diagnosis treatment provides mental and physical therapies, including behavioral therapy such as exposure response prevention (ERP), which are key components of effective treatment for OCD and substance use disorders.
- Recovery Community: Co-occurring disorders create a unique recovery experience, which can make you feel isolated from other recovery communities. A dual diagnosis treatment program allows you to join an inclusive recovery community full of individuals who are going through a similar experience. Finding a community is one of the many essential steps of long-term recovery.
- Comprehensive Treatment: Dual diagnosis treatment programs take a comprehensive treatment approach, addressing the whole person. This is essential for co-occurring disorders since every person’s experience will be completely unique, so they will have unique recovery needs.
- Aftercare Resources: One of the main reasons why treatment is necessary for co-occurring disorders is that it improves your chances of long-term recovery. A high-quality dual diagnosis program will provide aftercare resources that allow you to continue to get the help that you need.
Join a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program Today at The Lakes Treatment Center
Although treating OCD and addiction together has its challenges, there are many resources available to help you do this. Especially when it comes to dual diagnosis treatment, this is the best option by far. Dual diagnosis treatment programs addressed both disorders at once, taking a comprehensive approach for each individual.
At The Lakes Treatment Center, our dual diagnosis treatment program is able to address many common mental health and addiction disorders. In addition to dual diagnosis treatment, you can also take advantage of our other programs and therapies for the best chance of long-term recovery.
Are you ready to take the plunge and join a dual diagnosis treatment program? Contact us today at The Lakes Treatment Center to learn more about our approach to co-occurring disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does dual diagnosis help with OCD and addiction?
Research findings support the use of dual diagnosis treatment for individuals with OCD and co-occurring substance use disorders, showing improved outcomes when both conditions are addressed together. Remember: addressing co-occurring substance use is critical, and treatment should be designed to avoid withdrawal symptoms, which can otherwise hinder recovery progress.
Q: Who suffers from OCD and addiction the most?
Young adults are particularly vulnerable to developing co-occurring OCD and substance use disorders due to early drug or alcohol addiction, which can impact brain development and increase the risk of long-term mental health challenges. Chronic substance use in individuals with co-occurring OCD and addiction can also lead to significant physical health problems, further complicating treatment and overall well-being.
Q: How do I seek treatment for OCD and addiction?
It is important to develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses both co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders for the most effective recovery. You can seek support for both OCD and the use of addictive substances by locating a drug addiction rehab center offering dual diagnosis treatment, such as The Lakes Treatment Center.
Q: Are addiction and OCD similar diagnoses?
Addiction and OCD also have some similarities, which can heighten the risk of them occurring at the same time in a single individual. One example of this is how OCD and addiction are both disorders that are driven by reward. Using substances allows you to feel a desirable high, while giving in to OCD compulsions alleviates feelings of stress and fear.
Q: What causes OCD and addiction to happen at the same time?
Neurobiological factors play a significant role in the development of co-occurring OCD and substance use disorders. Changes in brain chemistry and brain structure, particularly in regions involved in decision-making and behavioral control, can influence the onset and severity of both disorders. These neurobiological underpinnings help explain why either OCD or substance use disorder can develop and why they frequently co-occur.
Q: Where can I find resources for OCD and addiction?
For more information about OCD and addiction, you can evaluate the resources provided by the Mental Health Services Administration. For support with addiction treatment and integrated care in Northern California, reach out to the professionals at The Lakes Treatment Center.
