subject: Therapy For Anxiety And Alcoholism In Rehabilitation Centers [print this page] People with anxiety disorders will find ways in dealing with the anxiety and they may find comfort to the sedating effects of alcohol. Those who are alcoholics often develop anxiety on the process. It's difficult to predict which illness occurs first when physicians make a diagnosis but we are certain that both disorders can be dealt with simultaneously in alcohol treatment centers.
Information
Dual Diagnosed clients are suffering from addiction to a substance coupled with a mental problem. In dealing with dual diagnosed clients, medical practitioners should deal with both conditions to obtain success in treatment. If the alcohol addiction is treated, it would be likely that anxiety would trigger relapse and vice versa. Targeting both symptoms will make it easier to cure them.
Types of Therapy
Alcohol addiction requires an intensive treatment program compared to anxiety disorder. Alcohol rehabilitation centers include detoxification, individual counseling, group counseling, support groups and family therapy. Treatment methods could be residential, inpatient, or out-patient treatment plans. The length of stay could be short or long depending on the severity of the case. The treatments for anxiety disorder focus on pharmacology and psychotherapy. Medications used in anxiety include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. The pharmacological therapy begins when the patient stops drinking. Doctors oftentimes don't use benzodiazepines in treating anxiety because these medicines are habit-forming.
Plan of Treatment
The plan of treatment will vary depending on the patient's needs and the severity of the case of alcoholism and anxiety disorder. For example, the patient has moderate anxiety and is taking alcohol but not dependent to it may only need a weekly counselling from a psychologist, family therapy and a support group. A patient who has PTSD may include detoxification and 6 months of residential therapy.
Considerations
Choosing a rehabilitation facility that will fit the needs of the client is not an easy task. Be sure that the center you choose is equipped to treat the alcoholism and anxiety disorder. There are treatment centers that specialize in treating dual diagnosed clients. Medical health practitioners specializing in mental health are trained to treat both symptoms but some alcohol rehabs aren't equipped to deal with mental issues like anxiety disorders.
Warning
It would be best to seek the help from medical practitioners in dealing with your addiction. The withdrawal symptoms brought about by a sudden discontinuation of an addictive substance could be life-threatening. As listed by the Mayo Clinic, withdrawal symptoms include fever, vomiting, sweating, seizures, and black-outs. Assistance and constant monitoring by medical professionals in the detoxification is essential to establish a safe recovery.
