How Are Panic Disorder and Addiction Connected?

Panic disorder is a common type of anxiety disorder, and many with panic disorder use substances to cope. However, as we know, self-medicating with drugs and alcohol can quickly lead to dependency. So, for those using drugs and alcohol to cope with panic disorder, should you now consider treatment for substance use disorder (SUD)? How are panic disorder and addiction connected? Would you benefit from dual diagnosis treatment? What can you do to manage your panic disorder instead of using drugs or alcohol? Today, we will focus on answering these questions. 

Of course, the first step toward treating any substance use or mental health condition is recognizing and accepting your need for professional support. From there, you can find a program that can treat your SUD, panic disorder, and any other conditions you may be grappling with. Call to learn more about our substance use and mental health treatment at West Coast Recovery Centers today. 

What Is Panic Disorder?

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes panic disorder as “an anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress.” These episodes or panic attacks generally occur frequently and unexpectedly. 

Of course, not everyone who experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorder. Nevertheless, panic attacks can be physically debilitating, even becoming easily mistaken for heart attacks. When someone experiences a panic attack, they often find themselves worried about the possibility of having another. These fears may cause them to make significant changes to their lives to avoid causing panic attacks. Unfortunately, these changes can make it nearly impossible to function day-to-day. The mear fear of experiencing a panic attack can cause someone to experience a constant state of anxiety, making them unable to manage, cope, or function within their daily roles and responsibilities. 

Other debilitating aspects of panic disorder include:

• It's unpredictable nature 
• Increases risk of avoidant behaviors and intense physical symptoms
• It's negative impact on overall quality of life 
• Psychological ramifications or the development of other mental health conditions 

Thankfully, with the help of therapy and other treatments, panic disorder is manageable. However, the first step is recognizing the warning signs, accepting the problem, and seeking proper help. 

Signs and Symptoms

The first telltale sign that you or a loved one may be struggling with panic disorder is the recurrence of panic attacks. Other signs and symptoms, according to the NIMH, include: 

• Feeling out of control or fearing death during a panic attack 
• Intense worries about when another panic attack will occur 
• Fear or avoidance of places where panic attacks have occurred 
• A variety of physical symptoms that accompany panic attacks, which may include but is not limited to 
  • Racing heart 
  • Trembling 
  • Trouble breathing 
  • Weakness or dizziness 
  • Tingly or numb hands 
  • Chest and stomach pain
  • Chills, sweating, and nausea 

Additionally, it's not uncommon for panic attacks to occur along with other anxiety disorders like social anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Untreated anxiety disorders can lead to chronic and distressing day-to-day thoughts or feelings. We encourage you to seek treatment if you or a loved one experiences debilitating symptoms of other anxiety disorders. 

How Are Panic Disorder and Addiction Connected?

The main connection between panic disorder and addiction is that individuals struggling to cope with symptoms may use alcohol or drugs to self-medicate. Admittedly, these substances may temporarily relieve symptoms of anxiety. However, it can quickly lead to dependency. 

If you or a loved one has developed SUD because of an attempt to cope with panic disorder through substance use, you must seek treatment. However, treating the panic disorder will no longer suffice. To fully heal and recover, you must seek treatment for all conditions. This is where dual diagnosis treatment comes into play. 

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Co-occurring disorders occur when someone experiences both a mental illness and an alcohol or drug use problem simultaneously. The presence of one or more conditions may alter the landscape of your addiction treatment program, but dual diagnosis ensures an integrated approach to treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously. 

Dual diagnosis treatment for panic disorder and SUD may consist of: 

• Psychotherapies, including exposure therapy, motivational interviewing (MI), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Medication-assisted treatment to help manage both conditions, especially during detox 
• Group therapy to help people find support from the community and empathize through shared experiences
• Other services, including aftercare, case management, and relapse prevention 

How Can You Manage Your Panic Disorder Without Substance Use?

It would be helpful to learn how to manage panic disorder without substance use until beginning a treatment program. Some tips and tricks to try today include: 

• Practicing mindful meditation 
• Utilizing breathing exercises to calm the body and reduce hyperventilation 
• Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) to alleviate physical tension 
• Exercising regularly and developing healthy habits like nutrition and prioritizing sleep 
• Finding and connecting with a support group of peers also struggling 
• Journaling, writing, or trying a new creative activity or hobby 

Things may feel grim right now, but we promise you there is hope. Call West Coast Recovery Centers to learn more about how we can help you heal and recover from panic disorder and addiction today. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with panic disorder and substance use, know you are not alone and help is available. The pain of panic attacks and the pull of substance use can be overwhelming, but recovery is possible through dual diagnosis treatment, which provides an integrated treatment approach that addresses both conditions. Located in San Diego, California, West Coast Recovery Centers offers specialized care designed to support you on your journey. We believe in treating the whole person, not just the conditions you struggling with. Ready to start your journey? Take the first step toward a better, brighter future free from panic disorder and addiction by calling (760) 492-6509 today.