OCD and Addiction in West Palm Beach FL (877) 804-1531
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder involving the repetition of certain actions or thoughts. People with this disorder feel the need to perform certain routines repeatedly, with common examples including hand washing, counting objects and checking to see if a door is locked. The connection between obsessive compulsive disorder and addiction is strong, with people living with OCD more likely to develop a range of substance use disorders.
Treatment for OCD and addiction may involve detox and rehab, with common psychotherapeutic treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational incentives, motivational interviewing and family therapy. Learn more about the various treatment options that are available when you call Drug Treatment West Palm Beach at (877) 804-1531.
What is OCD?
According to the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University, obsessive compulsive disorder affects 2.2 million people in the United States. While the disorder affects people in different ways, some of the most common fears include exposure to bacteria or viruses, obsession with specific numbers, preoccupation with religious topics, fear of illness or injury, intrusive images of sexual acts, and intrusive thoughts of harming oneself or others.
These fears consume a great deal of physical and mental energy, with medication and psychotherapy often required during treatment. While the causes of obsessive compulsive disorder are unknown, the disorder appears to have some genetic components. Common risk factors include child abuse and stress, with some cases also known to occur following infections.
OCD and Addiction
The relationship between OCD and addiction is an example of dual diagnosis, a term used to define the co-existence of a mental health problem and a substance use disorder. The connection between OCD and addiction can be complex and difficult to define, with a bi-directional relationship often existing between conditions.
According to the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 25 percent of all patients who seek treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder are also living with a substance use disorder. People who experience OCD symptoms during childhood are more likely to develop alcohol or drug problems later in life, with many people using psychoactive substances as a form of self-medication.
Signs of OCD and Addiction
People living with obsessive compulsive disorder often hide the extent of their condition from friends and family members. This secrecy also affects drug and alcohol use, with abuse and dependence issues often covered up until they get out of hand. While many of the signs of drug abuse are dependent on the particular substance in question, there are some general signs to look out for.
Common red flags include:
- Losing interest in favorite activities
- Mood swings
- Changes to sleeping patterns
- Changes to eating patterns
- Spending time alone
- Defensive responses
- Irritability and anger
- Stealing money or prescriptions
- Hiding drug paraphernalia
There are also lots of signs linked to particular drugs, with sedatives likely to make people more relaxed and sleepy and stimulants likely to increase energy in an unexplained way.
OCD and Alcoholism
Obsessive compulsive disorder is often associated with alcoholism, with people drinking heavily as a way to self-medicate their mental condition. People living with OCD experience high levels of fear in their daily lives, with alcohol often used as a form of relaxation and escape. While alcohol consumption can provide temporary relief for OCD patients, ongoing use is only likely to exasperate existing mental problems.
Co-existing obsessive compulsive and alcohol disorders often require specialized dual diagnosis treatment, with a number of treatment patterns available for therapists to choose from. Primary treatment deals just with OCD, with sequential treatment also treated alcoholism once the mental disorder problem has been dealt with. Parallel treatment attempts to treat both conditions at the same time, with integrated treatment using a single plan to treat both conditions simultaneously.
Learn more about treatments for dual diagnosis conditions when you call Drug Treatment West Palm Beach at (877) 804-1531.