The Link Between Anxiety and Addiction
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The link between anxiety and addiction is clear for addiction experts like http://oceansrecovery.com/ and others across the nation. There are millions of Americans suffering from both issues. It is estimated that 20 percent of Americans have anxiety, and only 36.9 percent of them will seek treatment for it. Of that 20 percent, many are turning to addiction to cope. Anxiety leads to addiction, and it also leads to relapse after recovery. Learn more about the link between anxiety and addiction here.
The Link Between Anxiety and Addiction
The link between anxiety and addiction is clear. There are millions of addicts in the country, and millions of Americans with addiction, some of those numbers are going to cross over. Anxiety and addiction does not discriminate by age, race, or socioeconomic status.
There is a difference between general everyday worrying, and clinical anxiety. Clinical anxiety happens when you are worried all the time, even when there is nothing in front of you to worry about. When you reach this level of anxiety, you will have interferences with work, love, social lives, and your overall health.
You may try to take something to calm down or feel better or just ease your nerves a little. When that happens, you are being given an indicator that your anxiety has reached a point of overwhelming you. It may be time to seek help or coping mechanisms for your anxiety.
Coping With Anxiety and Addiction
Coping with both anxiety and addiction to overcome feelings of being overwhelmed will only lead to more feelings of being overwhelmed. The problems become bigger. In a treatment center, you will not only have your addiction and anxiety treated, but you will also develop skills to take home with you.
The biggest sign that you are dealing with anxiety is overall irritability, an inability to sleep, and low levels of concentration. If this happens for over two weeks, and the feelings don't generalize or dissipate, seek coping mechanisms that are healthy.
Sometimes it's just a matter of talking your way through anxiety. An advanced method of this coping tool is called cognitive behavioral therapy. Walk yourself through the end of your worry with the question, what is the worst thing that could happen. You are worried about something, what could happen? In many cases, this exercise shows us that we are worried about fears and not something real that could actually happen.
When you are feeling anxiety and are worried about addiction or relapse, seek coping mechanisms that include support or treatment. Attend a meeting, get involved with your social circle, or seek support methods from your doctor when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Seek Support
If you struggle with anxiety, you are at a higher risk of struggling with addiction. It's happening to millions of Americans right now. You are not alone. There are tools and resources available to help you through this time. Seeking support will minimize your anxiety, and your desire to drink or use drugs that you hope will make the negative feelings and worry go away. You don't have to worry about living alone. It's healthy, and it feels better, to go towards where the support is.