Healing the Core of Addiction Anxiety Treatment at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab

At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we believe that addiction is often a symptom of a deeper issue. It is our goal to help our clients heal that root cause, whether it is trauma or another mental health disorder. We believe that healing the core of addiction can be an empowering experience that leads to better recovery outcomes and long-term wellness. If you struggle with a co-occurring disorder, such as anxiety, it’s important to receive comprehensive addiction and anxiety treatment.

Understanding Anxiety

“Anxiety” can be used to refer to a feeling of uneasiness, fear, or dread often surrounding stressful life events such as starting a new job or having a difficult conversation with a loved one. This feeling of being on edge is normal in many circumstances. However, chronic or extreme anxiety can be a sign of an anxiety disorder, which is a group of serious mental health disorders. Some types of anxiety disorders you may have heard of include:

• Panic disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Specific phobias
• Social anxiety disorder
• Separation anxiety disorder (usually in children)

Each of these anxiety disorders has a specific set of symptoms. For example, panic disorder is usually characterized by sudden episodes of panic, which may cause serious physical symptoms such as hyperventilation, nausea, and sweating. These episodes sometimes do not have an obvious cause, or the reaction is not proportional to the cause. GAD, on the other hand, is when a person experiences persistent and nagging anxiety or worry about many things in their life. They may struggle to get through the day without being constantly preoccupied with anxious thoughts. These two disorders are very different, but both are considered anxiety disorders.

Without professional evaluation, it can be difficult to know where your experience fits. Some common symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:

• Persistent and irrational anxious thoughts
• A feeling of dread or uneasiness
• Trouble sleeping due to anxiety or worry
• Sudden spikes in anxiety without cause
• Physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, and pounding heart
• Difficulty breaking the cycle of anxious thoughts
• Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety
• A sense of danger, impending doom, or intense fear

How Anxiety and Addiction Disorders Interact

Anxiety disorders and substance use disorder (SUD) often go hand-in-hand. For some, substance use or withdrawal from substances can trigger feelings of anxiety. People with SUD may feel that the anxiety won’t go away unless they use substances again, which leads to a cycle perpetuated by addiction and anxiety.

For others, they may have a pre-existing anxiety disorder that is difficult to cope with. They may begin to use substances as a way to dull their anxious thoughts and feelings, finding relief from the mental health disorder by drinking alcohol or using drugs. However, when the effects of the substance wear off, the anxiety usually returns. This, again, creates a cycle of misuse that can lead to addiction.

Common Triggers and Risk Factors

There are a few risk factors for anxiety disorders. Although these factors don’t guarantee that you will develop an anxiety disorder, you may be at a higher risk for one. Factors that put you at higher risk include:

• If someone in your family has an anxiety disorder
• Trauma such as abuse or witnessing violence
• A serious medical condition that causes stress
• Having other mental health disorders, such as depression
• A series of stressful life events
• Using drugs or alcohol
• A medical condition affecting the heart and/or lungs

Warning Signs and Symptoms

Some people may not know if their anxiety is normal or a sign of a potential mental health disorder. A few warning signs and symptoms of anxiety-related disorders include:

• Racing thoughts
• Self-isolating behaviors
• Feeling frequently on edge and nervous
• Restless energy
• Increased heart rate
• Difficulty concentrating
• Avoiding stressful situations

Many people with anxiety-related disorders have panic attacks. Often, panic attacks are caused by significant life stressors or a combination of stressors. People experiencing an attack report sudden extreme fear, dread, helplessness, and hopelessness. The warning signs and symptoms of anxiety may affect a person’s relationships and ability to complete basic tasks of daily living.

Why a Dual Diagnosis Is Essential for Comprehensive Treatment

Dual diagnosis is when an individual is simultaneously diagnosed with SUD and a mental health disorder such as anxiety. This allows for both the client and mental health professional to understand the interaction between the two conditions. When this is taken into account, a treatment plan can be created that targets not only the root cause of both disorders individually but the interconnected origin of the two. This approach reduces the risk of relapse and enhances coping strategies, which leads to overall improved mental health. Without dual diagnosis, treatment may focus solely on the addiction and may not be as successful.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Anxiety Treatment at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab

At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we believe that dual diagnosis is the key to comprehensive treatment of co-occurring disorders. That’s why we create personalized treatment plans for each client that recognize their unique circumstances and center their needs. For effective treatment of anxiety and addiction, we combine evidence-based practices with holistic, integrated therapies that heal the mind, body, and spirit.

We also believe that family involvement is vital to successful recovery. Exclusive Hawaii Rehab aims to involve family members at every opportunity so that they can offer their support and heal alongside their loved one. Family therapy and educational workshops are two opportunities for family members to play an active role in their loved one’s recovery.

Holistic Approach to Anxiety Treatment

As part of anxiety treatment, you may take part in holistic practices, which are an important part of our integrated and comprehensive approach. Stress plays a large role in anxiety disorders, so we employ mindfulness and stress reduction techniques to help ground you in the present moment.

Physical activity and proper nutrition are vital components of well-being and recovery from substance use. Moving your body can be stress-relieving, as exercise releases endorphins from the brain that can boost your mood. Eating nutrient-packed meals not only helps the body heal from the harmful effects of substances but can also make you feel stronger and more energized. Promoting physical well-being through exercise and healthy eating are acts of self-care that tell your brain and body that you matter.

How to Get Started With Our Program

The first step is consultation and assessment with our compassionate mental health and medical professionals. They will thoroughly assess your history and struggles to determine your diagnosis. Then, you’ll talk with them about your needs and goals for anxiety treatment. From there, they’ll help craft a tailored care plan that is as unique as you are.

What to Expect During Addiction and Anxiety Treatment

During anxiety treatment, you’ll follow your personalized treatment plan, which may include one-on-one therapy, group therapy, support group sessions, nature-based activities, and much more. If you feel that you’d like to make changes to your treatment plan, you can always talk to your care team. We believe that flexibility allows each client to get the most out of their recovery journey.

Don’t let addiction and anxiety control your life. Call Exclusive Hawaii Rehab at (808) 775-0200.