Have you been diagnosed with heroin addiction and an anxiety disorder? You are not alone. Your dual diagnosis is common, and you can cope. Let’s jump right into this topic with the first step to coping: Understanding why these two conditions co-exist.
Anxiety Before Heroin
Chronic anxiety has been referred to as “living hell.” The body’s fight or flight response is flickering on and off like a neon sign. One second, you’re fine. The next, a paralyzing amount of fear and worry well up inside of you for no apparent reason. It’s stressful and exhausting.
Many find solace in heroin. It calms their nerves and provides an escape from the anxiety. It also opens the door to substance abuse and addiction, beaconing them in.
Anxiety After Heroin
For others, anxiety is a product of their heroin abuse and addiction. As the effects of the drug wear off, they experience extreme anxiety episodes, sometimes panic attacks. Their need for a fix triggers these attacks, and over time, their mind becomes conditioned; an anxiety disorder develops.
Some only experience anxiety during detox or after quitting heroin. The feelings of stress and worry can be so strong that they push the previous user back to drugs. If the anxiety is not diagnosed, it can singlehandedly undermine all recovery efforts.
The Best Coping Methods
So how can you cope with this fearsome beast called Anxiety? There are many ways, but four of the most successful methods for heroin abusers and addicts include:
- Talk It Out: Don’t keep what you’re experiencing to yourself. You are not weak, and you are not incurable. Confide in someone you trust. Putting effort into trying to talk sets a positive domino effect in motion, even if you find describing what you’re feeling a struggle.
- Get Checked Out: Talk to a medical professional and get checked out. The Mayo Clinic can help you study up on what to expect from physical and psychological standpoints.
- Prescription Medications: Your doctor might discuss the use of any number of prescription medications to quiet the anxiety. Understand that finding the best medication for you may take a bit of trial and error, and your communication about how a prescription affects you will be critical. Prescription medications can provide short and long-term support as you get back on track.
- Counseling: It’s proven extremely successful for both substance and anxiety disorders. You’ll need to locate a counselor or therapist who is well-versed in the complexities of how heroin dependence and anxiety are interwoven.
It’s important for the conditions of a dual diagnosis to be treated in harmony. If you see numerous professionals, they all need to work together to tailor the best treatment plan for you, and it must take into consideration all of the factors contributing to your conditions.
Remember, as scary and stressful as your situation is today, it can and will improve with the right help. Don’t keep your struggle a secret.