A counselor working with patients experiencing anxiety in Pittsburgh, PA frequently finds anxiety and substance abuse going hand-in-hand. Abuse of alcohol and drugs is often a symptom as much as it is an addiction. It is a symptom of anxiety or depression and it boils down to the fact the person is unable to express deep seated emotions or feelings in a constructive manner and uses substances as substitutes.
When Bad Feelings Won't Go Away
Avoiding true feelings is called denial or repression. Instead of managing difficult feelings such as grief, sadness or unhappiness, the person denies they exist. The fact is that you can't simply deny or suppress feelings forever. They will continually bubble up and haunt a person, and that is when it's tempting to turn to drugs or alcohol. Getting drunk or high seems to give temporary relief from the nagging feelings and thoughts.
Anxiety is an expression of negative thinking patterns leading to negative behaviors. Life is complicated and filled with treacherous moments including death of loves ones, loss of a job or financial problems. On the other hand, some people have many good events going on in their lives but are still filled with trepidation and a constant feeling of doom.
Two-Way Street
Drug and alcohol abuse is a two-way street when talking about anxiety. People may have an anxiety disorder and begin abusing drugs or alcohol believing they will bring mental and emotional relief. On the other hand, some people will become substance abusers and then develop an anxiety disorder. No matter when the anxiety develops, you need professional counseling for both anxiety and substance abuse.
When living with anxiety Pittsburgh, PA residents may experience a number of symptoms that can make life very difficult.
> Worry that never subsides
> Constant sense that something bad is going to happen
> Constricted sense in throat or chest
> Sleep problems
> Muscle tension
> Difficult concentrating
> Memory loss
> Racing heart
> Problems breathing
When you add the consequences of abusing drugs or alcohol, the sensations are life altering. The anxiety and substance abuse work in tandem and a vicious cycle is formed. You use drugs or alcohol in an attempt to get relief from the anxiety. When they wear off, you feel even more anxious and so turn to substance abuse once again in a misguided attempt to feel better.
Break the Cycle
Substance abuse can lead to health issues and that aggravates the anxiety. Drugs and alcohol impact the central nervous system and can damage the circulatory system and organs. The body is not able to manage stress reactions properly which makes the anxiety symptoms even more pronounced. The vicious cycle goes on and on.
If you are experiencing anxiety Pittsburg, PA counselors can help. It's important to seek professional help when dealing with substance abuse and anxiety. It takes a carefully planned treatment program to deal with both issues at once so that relapse is minimized. Cognitive behavioral therapies,
psychotherapy, group sessions and other strategies have helped thousands of people free themselves from the grip of addiction and anxiety.
When Bad Feelings Won't Go Away
Avoiding true feelings is called denial or repression. Instead of managing difficult feelings such as grief, sadness or unhappiness, the person denies they exist. The fact is that you can't simply deny or suppress feelings forever. They will continually bubble up and haunt a person, and that is when it's tempting to turn to drugs or alcohol. Getting drunk or high seems to give temporary relief from the nagging feelings and thoughts.
Anxiety is an expression of negative thinking patterns leading to negative behaviors. Life is complicated and filled with treacherous moments including death of loves ones, loss of a job or financial problems. On the other hand, some people have many good events going on in their lives but are still filled with trepidation and a constant feeling of doom.
Two-Way Street
Drug and alcohol abuse is a two-way street when talking about anxiety. People may have an anxiety disorder and begin abusing drugs or alcohol believing they will bring mental and emotional relief. On the other hand, some people will become substance abusers and then develop an anxiety disorder. No matter when the anxiety develops, you need professional counseling for both anxiety and substance abuse.
When living with anxiety Pittsburgh, PA residents may experience a number of symptoms that can make life very difficult.
> Worry that never subsides
> Constant sense that something bad is going to happen
> Constricted sense in throat or chest
> Sleep problems
> Muscle tension
> Difficult concentrating
> Memory loss
> Racing heart
> Problems breathing
When you add the consequences of abusing drugs or alcohol, the sensations are life altering. The anxiety and substance abuse work in tandem and a vicious cycle is formed. You use drugs or alcohol in an attempt to get relief from the anxiety. When they wear off, you feel even more anxious and so turn to substance abuse once again in a misguided attempt to feel better.
Break the Cycle
Substance abuse can lead to health issues and that aggravates the anxiety. Drugs and alcohol impact the central nervous system and can damage the circulatory system and organs. The body is not able to manage stress reactions properly which makes the anxiety symptoms even more pronounced. The vicious cycle goes on and on.
If you are experiencing anxiety Pittsburg, PA counselors can help. It's important to seek professional help when dealing with substance abuse and anxiety. It takes a carefully planned treatment program to deal with both issues at once so that relapse is minimized. Cognitive behavioral therapies,
psychotherapy, group sessions and other strategies have helped thousands of people free themselves from the grip of addiction and anxiety.
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