It is estimated that one in five Americans, or 20 percent, are struggling with the problem of both anxiety and addiction. This is considered among the most frequent problems in America, with 28.8 percent of Americans having anxiety for life, and 14.6 percent having a substance use disorder for life. Experts for outpatient programs such as https://nuviewtreatment.com/treatment-programs/outpatient-rehab-program-los-angeles-iop know that these disorders often go hand-in-hand because people with anxiety do not want to seek treatment.
They feel bad, and worry about the worrying and worry about being embarrassed. As a result, they turn to self-medicating. When you or a loved one is struggling with this comorbid problem, there are strategies you can use to help break this cycle. Learn more about these strategies here.
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Mindfulness
When someone has anxiety, very often the root of the problem is that they are worried about the worst. This happens even when they don’t have a reason to. This is why mindfulness makes for a very effective strategy for those with anxiety and substance use problems. Mindfulness can be as effective at self-healing as a substance can be, and can have long-lasting impacts.
Mindfulness is about staying present in the moment, and not getting ahead of yourself with your train of thought. A person that has anxiety about rain, for example, may see it start raining and begin to worry the roof of the house will cave in at any moment. It probably won’t. However, they will worry until it stops raining that it will. Mindfulness helps anxiety in that it brings the individual to the moment where they are just focusing on what is now. Don’t look out the window at the rain, go and do some laundry or something.
Have a Consistent Sleep Pattern
It is well-documented that a bad night’s sleep will impact your daily life. When it happens on a regular basis, the impact can show up in your work, life, and relationships. When it happens to someone with anxiety, the anxiety is worsened. When it happens to someone with anxiety and substance use disorder, the cycle is a tough one to break.
People with anxiety know they need sleep, and it’s probably even something that they worry about. Self-medicating to get a better night’s sleep is common. Create a more consistent sleep pattern and stick to it. You will find that your levels of anxiety may improve, and you should feel better overall.
Ask for Help
Another component of anxiety disorder is that it is very difficult to ask for help. People with anxiety worry about how they will be perceived if they ask for help. They worry they will ask for too much help, not enough help, or that someone else will get upset. They worry that they are putting someone out, or that they should be able to figure the problem out on their own. The end result is self-medication for one in five Americans.
If you are worried about asking for help, or know someone who might be, try learning what it is that is causing that worry. Engage in mindfulness, and stay in the moment. It’s easier to get past the worry that worries you when you do.
Contact Support
When you or a loved one is trying to avoid self-medicating anxiety, seeking support is a critical step. Experts at outpatient centers such as https://nuviewtreatment.com/treatment-programs/outpatient-rehab-program-los-angeles-iop/ can help with strategies that will help you to worry less, and enjoy life more. Contact the closest support center today and start seeing the difference for yourself.