What is the Connection Between Social Anxiety and Alcoholism?

A person struggles with social anxiety.

It is completely normal for people to experience mild social anxiety in social situations like meeting new people, talking to strangers on a bus, or giving a speech. This might be a slight discomfort, but when that discomfort or fear goes from slight to severe, it might be a social anxiety disorder or social phobia. There is a strong link between social anxiety and alcoholism, as those with social anxiety disorder often report using alcohol to help them feel temporarily more comfortable. In this blog, we’ll explore this link and offer ways to find help. What is Social Anxiety Disorder? Social anxiety disorder is when an individual has excessive fear pertaining to social situations, even the thought of social situations. This fear centers on the fear of being humiliated or made fun of. It often manifests with physical symptoms like excessive sweating, blushing, and hyperventilating.  For some people with social anxiety disorder, the situations they fear most are things like talking to strangers or being in a social setting (like a party) where they are with people they don’t know.  For others, the situations they fear most are things like speaking in public.  No matter the situation, the fears are often unreasonable or excessive, and they can happen regardless of being in that physical circumstance; the mere thought of having to speak in front of people or an invitation to go to a party with people who are unfamiliar can be enough to provoke anxiety symptoms and even a panic attack. From there, people with social anxiety disorder will go to great lengths to avoid these symptoms, doing things like never speaking in front of people and never going to parties. It can be so extreme that it interferes with an individual’s routine, job performance, and relationships. The Connection Between Social Anxiety and Alcoholism  Many individuals who have social anxiety report that they use alcohol as a means of coping with their fears and stress. One of the main theories behind this action is called the tension reduction hypothesis.  Negative Reinforcer For people with social anxiety disorder, alcohol works as what is called a negative reinforcer. This means it helps eliminate negative feelings, namely stress and anxiety. This creates a harmful cycle whereby individuals experience stress relief when consuming alcohol, so they are more likely to turn to alcohol on a regular basis for ongoing relief from anxiety and stress-related symptoms. Placebos While the science behind the efficacy of alcohol in reducing actual levels of anxiety and stress is debatable, the way in which alcohol slows down the prefrontal cortex and reduces inhibition has been shown to create a strong connection between social anxiety and alcoholism. For people with social anxiety disorder, the relationship between social anxiety and alcoholism is based on perception. Even though alcohol doesn’t necessarily do anything to change their social anxiety, individuals expect it to do so, and that placebo effect means that they are more likely to continue using alcohol, operating under the belief that it will help quell social anxiety symptoms. Acute Social Anxiety People can also use alcohol to self-medicate social anxiety in certain situations. In college students, for example, there’s a strong relationship between social anxiety and alcoholism as individuals who are experiencing regular social anxiety but don’t necessarily have a disorder turn to alcohol to release some of their stress and feel more relaxed in new social settings where they regularly interact with new people.  Getting Help for Social Anxiety and Alcoholism If you have noticed developing issues with social anxiety and alcoholism, there is help available. At The Differents, our drug detox center can provide withdrawal management services to help you with your alcohol detox. After that, we can help transition you into a partial hospitalization program or intensive outpatient program for ongoing outpatient care.  We specialize in dual diagnosis treatment where you can get help for social anxiety disorder or any other anxiety disorder at the same time as alcoholism. With a one-to-three staff-to-client ratio, we focus on holistic care in our luxury addiction treatment center. That holistic care includes things like IV infusions, massage, yoga, meditation, outdoor therapy, and recreational therapy. Overall, there is a strong link between social anxiety and alcoholism for those who have acute social anxiety all the way through a severe disorder. If you are struggling with alcoholism or social anxiety, you can get help for both with the right dual-diagnosis drug detox center. Contact us today to learn more about rehab reimagined and your personalized treatment plan.

What Are Hidden Signs of Depression?

A woman shows signs of depression.

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders around the world. Over the last several years, rates of depression have increased. Individuals who struggle with depression are more likely to develop alcoholism or substance abuse disorders as they attempt to self-medicate. For this reason, it’s important to understand the hidden signs of depression so that you can recognize them in yourself and figure out when it’s time to get help. Physical Hidden Signs of Depression Physical signs of depression might go unnoticed if you focus on just one at a time, but when combined, it can paint a picture of bigger issues. Some of the most common physical signs include the following: Emotional Hidden Signs of Depression Some of the most common emotional signs include the following: Other Hidden Signs of Depression Then there are the other signs, which include: Major Hidden Signs of Depression Many of the more hidden signs of depression mirror the signs that someone with high-functioning depression might have.  Inability to Find Pleasure in Achievements Someone who struggles with hidden signs of depression might have an inability to find any pleasure or reward in their achievements. For this reason, they might regularly take on new tasks, always volunteering or accepting additional roles, and perform additional duties at work, yet none of it brings them the reward they are searching for. Changing Tasks Regularly It’s not uncommon for someone with hidden signs of depression to constantly battle feelings of worthlessness. It’s these feelings that drive an individual to take on new tasks, overwork themselves, or volunteer too much, burning out in an attempt to hide or resolve those feelings of worthlessness. These feelings, however, don’t go away no matter how much is achieved. This means that individuals will change their tasks regularly, taking on not just a new assignment at work but a different assignment at work, volunteering not just in an additional way but in a new way with a different group. This regular task changing relates back to the inability to find positive feelings or to overcome feelings of worthlessness while performing any achievement and the subsequent search for new things that might possibly hold satisfaction.  Isolation Another hidden sign of depression is continual isolation. When individuals struggle with hidden signs of depression, they may not realize it, but they tend to isolate themselves from friends and family. A lot of this isolation is driven by feelings of worthlessness and continual self-criticism about other tasks that have to be completed. Self-Criticism Someone with hidden signs of depression will struggle with continual self-criticism, whereby they regularly criticize themselves for not doing enough, doing too much, changing tasks, or not being able to otherwise improve what feels like negativity from within. Avoidance While an individual with hidden signs of depression might isolate themselves socially, they’ll also use avoidance tactics to stay away from anything that brings up negative emotions. Someone who is overwhelmed with feelings of having trouble being productive one day might be encouraged to do meditation, but as soon as they sit quietly with themselves, they are faced with self-criticism and negative thoughts, so they avoid meditation entirely because they don’t want to sit with those feelings. Sitting with those feelings would require facing them and admitting that they are struggling, and subsequently getting help. Getting Treatment for Depression and Substance Abuse If you are struggling with these hidden signs of depression and you have turned to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate, it might be time to reach out to our facility for help. Our luxury addiction treatment center offers several programs with different individual and group therapies. We can help you recognize the underlying causes of your depression, whether you have acute symptoms because of trauma or a depressive disorder because of something else. Overall, hidden signs of depression can be physical, emotional, and behavioral, and include general feelings of hopelessness, negative self-talk or self-criticism, isolation, avoidance tactics, and an inability to find pleasure in any achievements or hobbies. Those with these hidden signs are at a higher risk of alcoholism or drug abuse to try and self-medicate, but with the right type of treatment center, you can get help for both. Reach out to our dual diagnosis treatment center today to learn how we can help! 

What is the Relationship Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Drug Use?

Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder that can affect an individual’s well-being in many areas. Research has found that 78 percent of those with borderline personality disorder develop a substance use disorder at some time in their lives, raising questions about the link between the mental health condition and addiction. Keep reading to explore the relationship between borderline personality disorder and drug use, and find out how to seek professional help if needed. If you or a loved one are in need of addiction treatment, turn to The Differents for comprehensive substance abuse treatment in Reno. Our expert team can help you recover in comfort at our luxury drug rehab in Nevada, where you can learn the tools you need for long-term recovery. What is Borderline Personality Disorder? Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition defined by issues with impulsivity, self-image, and unstable interpersonal relationships.  A diagnosis requires that symptoms begin in early adulthood across several contexts (like school, home, and work) with at least five of the following nine symptoms:  One of the key features of borderline personality disorder is going out of your way to avoid rejection or abandonment, often imagined. People with this condition can experience high sensitivity to environmental changes and impending perceptions of rejection, which can have a negative impact on self-image, behavior, and relationships. Drug use is when an individual abuses prescription or illegal drugs and can develop into an addiction that results in cravings, withdrawal, and an inability to decrease or stop substance abuse behaviors, no matter how hard they try. The Relationship Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Drug Use The relationship between borderline personality disorder and drug use is multifaceted: For example, many people with borderline personality disorder have an intense fear of abandonment, and they usually struggle with inappropriate displays of anger, but most of that perceived abandonment stems from poor self-esteem and a belief that they are bad people. That same person might be overwhelmed at how quickly they change their emotions, feel like something’s wrong with them, and believe that the bad things that happen are because they’re a bad person.  These same feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, and emotional outbursts are also heavily associated with drug use. Relationship Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Substance Abuse: Causes People who have a first-degree relative struggling with borderline personality disorder are five times more likely to develop it themselves. Moreover, those who struggle with BPD are also at a higher risk of also having: Many symptoms that develop in association with long-term substance abuse can mirror the symptoms and signs of borderline personality disorder. This can make it difficult to obtain a proper diagnosis or subsequent treatment. More importantly, many clients who struggle with borderline personality disorder struggle heavily with impulsivity, identity issues, and problems with interpersonal functioning, all of which can exacerbate or increase the risk of developing a substance abuse disorder. Getting Treatment with The Differents If you are noticing a relationship between borderline personality disorder and drug use, you can find support with The Differents.  The most important part of your treatment will consist of individual and group psychotherapy, where you learn how to better express yourself and interact with others. You might also benefit from family therapy because both borderline personality disorder and drug use affect individuals and their families. Clients at our Nevada addiction treatment center benefit from our extensive programs and highly trained staff, including therapies and amenities like: With a 1:3 staff-to-client ratio, you can get highly personalized treatment that offers therapy and holistic care for both borderline personality disorder and drug use, providing the skills necessary to understand the relationship between the two. With the right treatment, you can learn to manage symptoms of both substance use disorder and borderline personality disorder to live a fulfilling life. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our innovative mental health and addiction treatment programs.

The Connection Between Social Anxiety and Substance Abuse

Social anxiety and substance abuse represent two common co-occurring disorders. People who struggle with a social anxiety disorder or acute social anxiety may be likely to self-medicate with alcohol, especially so they can feel more at ease and less anxious in social situations. In most cases, people self-medicate regularly, leading to tolerance and addiction.  Social Anxiety and Substance Abuse: Self-Medicating Anxiety is a common emotion experienced by people in various situations throughout life. However, for some, anxiety becomes much more severe than this, manifesting as a legitimate mental health disorder.  There are different types of anxiety disorders, and a diagnosis for one or more comes from your primary care physician. Some anxiety disorders overlap, and it is common for people struggling with anxiety to have more than one disorder, such as social anxiety and panic disorders.  Social Anxiety Disorder Social anxiety disorder involves intense and regular fear, particularly around social situations. This fear often involves a fear of being judged by others, and it can be so intense that individuals with a social anxiety disorder avoid social situations altogether. Those who don’t might try to control some of their symptoms or hide them with drugs or alcohol.  Symptoms of a social anxiety disorder include the following: It’s common for people who struggle with social anxiety to also experience feelings of fear, irritability, problems concentrating and sleeping issues. These feelings can be significantly disruptive. Let’s look at example: Someone who knows that they have to attend a company party in three months might start feeling anxious now, and over the next three months they may struggle with anxiety that gets significantly worse as the event approaches.  In this example, that same individual might have trouble concentrating, and this can lead to sleep problems. Poor concentration can cause problems at work. Poor sleep quality can result in irritability, which increases the fights they have with their partner or their children and makes them generally unpleasant to be around. This can compromise the safety of driving to and from work as well.  Getting Professional Help for Anxiety Drug Abuse If you are struggling with social anxiety and substance abuse, you can find treatment programs that specialize in care for co-occurring disorders. These programs are called dual diagnosis treatment. At The Differents, a trusted drug rehab in Reno, you can get help for anxiety drug abuse with several levels of care, including: No matter which level of care you choose at our luxury addiction treatment center, social anxiety and substance abuse are best treated with our Nevada dual diagnosis treatment program, where the symptoms of addiction and anxiety can be treated simultaneously. These programs include several types of evidence-based practices, from individual and group therapy sessions to holistic treatment. Holistic care and therapy can provide the coping skills needed to control the symptoms of social anxiety without turning to drugs or alcohol.  Detox Treatment for anxiety and substance abuse starts with detox, where you can flush out any remaining compounds from your substance abuse and tackle your long-term recovery from a sober starting point. Therapy Therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective way to treat anxiety disorders. Acceptance and commitment therapy or other psychotherapy might focus on relaxation techniques that you can use when you struggle with acute symptoms of social anxiety or how to cope with your symptoms without using drugs and alcohol. Medication In certain cases, medication like benzodiazepines or beta-blockers might be used to help you manage symptoms. You may use these for acute symptoms that arise before a social setting or even for long-term management.  The right type of dual diagnosis treatment can offer solutions for managing both addiction and social anxiety in a sober and successful fashion. Contact The Differents today to learn more about our dual diagnosis programs for anxiety drug abuse.

The Essential Guide to Dual Diagnosis Sober Living: What You Need to Know

Overcoming addiction and mental health disorders can be full of struggles that require you to change many things in your life, such as: There are unique challenges associated with dual diagnosis situations. In addition to tackling the physical and mental struggles associated with addiction, you must take on the responsibility of managing mental health issues. Most Common Dual Diagnosis Situations Dual diagnosis refers to any situation where you have a co-occurring mental health disorder alongside an addiction. Common dual diagnosis examples include: How to Manage Dual Diagnosis Sober Living If you are living with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, try these strategies to manage dual diagnosis sober living after treatment. Get Treatment The first step is getting professional treatment. Professional treatment can ensure you have a proper and correct diagnosis. It’s not uncommon for people struggling with bipolar disorder or PTSD to be mistakenly diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders, as these can have very similar symptoms. Know Your Triggers It’s important to identify your triggers. Knowing what your triggers are can help you prepare yourself with extra coping skills before you find yourself in a triggering situation or may even help you avoid certain triggers altogether. Practice Emotional Regulation Next, you need to know how to practice emotional regulation. Emotional regulation is a tool that you can use to change the way you automatically respond to stressful situations or triggers. Many of the emotional regulation techniques that are used today are based on cognitive behavioral therapy, one of the most common evidence-based practices for mental health disorders and addiction.  Emotional regulation technqiues include: Use Medication If Needed If you participate in dual-diagnosis treatment and are prescribed medication for part of your mental health symptoms, don’t stop using it because you don’t feel relief straight away. The medication may take several weeks to become fully effective, so it’s important to be patient. Many dual diagnosis services include medication management, which means a chance to review the medication you are taking regularly with a professional to determine how effective a given prescription is.  Sometimes, the medication you are prescribed is designed to help with acute symptoms or is something you can wean yourself off of with time and other coping skills. Work with your care team to ensure you get the right solution.  Keep a Sleep/Mood Diary A sleep or mood diary can help you uncover activities or lifestyle habits that might interfere with sleep quality. With dual diagnosis sober living, it is important to identify which sources of stress, mental health symptoms, or triggers might contribute to your poor focus or poor sleep.  For example: If you are struggling with dual diagnosis sober living, make time for journaling either during the day or before bed. This can be great for reflecting on your day and the quality and quantity of sleep you had the night before.  Dual Diagnosis Treatment at The Differents Overall, don’t be afraid to get the right type of treatment when the time comes. Dual diagnosis sober living relies on your ability to regulate emotions and apply coping skills to stressful situations. You can learn more about these techniques in treatment at The Differents, a trusted drug rehab in Reno. We offer dual diagnosis treatment in Nevada at our luxury addiction treatment center. Reach out to The Differents today to learn more about dual diagnosis care.

Coping Strategies for Dealing with Stress and Anxiety in Daily Life

Everyone deals with stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety are biological imperatives that keep you alive. For example, it is heightened adrenaline and stress that might cause you to pause when you hear an unfamiliar sound and wait to determine if that sound is an intruder in your home or your trash cans being knocked over outside by a raccoon. What happens when things get out of hand or if you don’t have coping mechanisms? Coping Strategies for Dealing with Stress and Anxiety: Why They Matter While stress and anxiety historically were useful tools in keeping you alive, today, many people experience heightened levels of stress and anxiety in non-threatening situations. This can cause elevated resting cortisol levels, depression, mental health disorders, and compromised physical health, particularly immune health. You can use stress and anxiety coping strategies to help you manage these emotions in your everyday life. These strategies can help you build tolerance to stressful situations and enable you to perform at your best mentally and physically. For example: If Margaret doesn’t develop coping skills to learn how to tolerate stressful situations in daily life, simple changes or disruptions like missing a flight, not reaching a deadline, or having the car break down can cause unnecessarily high distress and emotional impairment that disrupt daily function. If Thomas doesn’t learn healthy stress and anxiety coping strategies, then when things get stressful at work or with his family, he might turn to harmful coping techniques like avoidance or substance abuse. Different Stress and Anxiety Coping Strategies We all have different ways of handling stress. Some people like to take comfort in quality family time or time spent with pets, while other people like to focus on hobbies. When you are struggling with high stress or anxiety levels, you need positive coping mechanisms that help you pragmatically tackle problems and manage your emotional response to things outside of your control. Problem Solving The first set of coping strategies is more practical. This is a problem-centered approach where you focus on the causes of your stress and anxiety within your control. You can’t control the death of a loved one, but you can control whether or not you stay in a job with an abusive workplace or whether you rely on drugs and alcohol to cope with anxiety. The source of your stress or anxiety might be somewhat within your control. You might not be able to control financial strain, but you can learn how to budget and control your reaction to that stress.  Meditation Meditation is a useful coping strategy for stressful situations. Elevated concentrations of cortisol are a natural reaction to high stress levels. However, elevated daily cortisol levels can have several harmful effects on your mental and physical well-being. A meta-analysis reviewed cortisol or stress levels in several samples. This research concluded that there was a measurable change in cortisol levels using blood samples when individuals practice meditation, especially at-risk sample groups like those who are struggling with substance abuse or mental health disorders.  Yoga Similar studies have concluded that yoga on its own was an effective antidepressant, lowering cortisol levels. Research has indicated that no level of experience with yoga is necessary to reap a significant decrease in cortisol levels and anxiety. Even those with no experience who participate in basic yoga poses on a regular basis are able to control stress levels and anxiety as well as alleviate depressive symptoms significantly more effectively than antidepressants. Getting Professional Help If you are still struggling with stress or anxiety and are interested in learning new coping skills, The Differents can provide co-occurring treatment that offers personalized coping strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety.  Our luxury drug rehab in Nevada provides partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs in Reno, both of which incorporate therapies like: With a staff-to-client ratio of 1:3, we focus on cultivating creativity at our private addiction treatment center in Nevada, offering individuals stress and anxiety coping strategies in addition to a deeper understanding of the causes of these emotions.  Stress and anxiety are regular parts of life. If you are working on recovery for substance abuse or co-occurring mental health disorders, you have control over your stress levels and the impact anxiety has on emotional and physical health through coping methods.  Contact our team today to learn more about our services and how they can help your stress and anxiety levels.

Discovering Hope and Transformation: A Closer Look at Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Reno at The Differents

Discovering Hope and Transformation: A Closer Look at Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Nevada at The Differents

Dual diagnosis, also referred to as co-occurring disorders, is a complex condition wherein individuals grapple with both addiction to substances and a mental health disorder. The intricacies of co-occurring disorders necessitate a dual-focused approach where each condition is addressed individually. In this exploration, we delve into the realm of dual diagnosis and how you or your loved one can find support at a leading dual diagnosis treatment in Reno. Understanding Dual Diagnosis Dual diagnosis, sometimes known as dual disorder or dual pathology, characterizes a situation in which an individual contends with two psychiatric disorders simultaneously. For instance, someone dealing with bipolar disorder along with addiction to drugs or alcohol falls into the category of dual diagnosis. Common Types of Dual Disorders Dual disorders most commonly involve the interplay of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder with substance addiction. Additional diagnoses encompass: The Significance of Dual Diagnosis Rehab Centers Recovery necessitates a dual-pronged strategy when facing both mental illness and substance use disorder. This implies that addiction and the underlying mental disorder must be concurrently addressed using evidence-backed methodologies. Failure to treat both disorders simultaneously may exacerbate the dual diagnosis and transform it into a chronic condition. Our trusted drug rehab in Reno specializes in managing dual diagnoses and are equipped to offer comprehensive treatment for individuals grappling with such complexities. What Occurs in a Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Program Treatment options for dual disorders entail a combination of medication-assisted therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, group counseling, and family therapy. Duration of a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program The length of treatment programs varies, contingent on the severity of one’s drug or alcohol addiction. Programs can span from 30 days to six months. It is crucial to bear in mind that dual diagnosis treatment demands an individualized approach, and timelines may fluctuate in accordance with an individual’s unique requirements. Our addiction treatment center in Nevada can help. Varieties of Treatment Approaches Available Diverse treatments are accessible to address physical, behavioral health, and recovery concerns pertaining to dual-diagnosis disorders. These treatment services comprise: Key Considerations for Choosing a Dual Diagnosis Rehab Center Selecting the right treatment center is pivotal in the realm of dual diagnosis. For dual diagnosis treatment centers in Nevada, The Differents emerges as an exemplary choice. At The Differents, a team of highly trained professionals leads the dual diagnosis program, boasting extensive experience in caring for patients with mental health and sobriety challenges. Critical factors to contemplate when seeking quality care facilities in Nevada encompass: Location: Opt for a dual diagnosis facility in close proximity to enable easy visits from family and friends. Individualized Treatment Plans: Seek rehab centers offering tailored plans that cater to each patient’s unique needs, ensuring the best possible care. Qualified Staff: Ensure facilities boast staff qualified in treating dual-diagnosis patients, like the dedicated team at The Differents who understand the distinctive needs of such individuals. Cost: Confirm that rehab centers offer affordable dual diagnosis treatment, with The Differents providing various payment options to enhance accessibility. Insurance Coverage: Check if local facilities accept your health insurance plan, a convenience provided by The Differents, which accommodates multiple health insurance plans. The Differents – Pioneering Dual Diagnosis Rehab Center in Nevada At The Differents, we comprehend the arduous journey of navigating dual diagnoses. Our team of seasoned counselors and clinicians possess extensive experience in treating dual-diagnosis patients. We deliver personalized treatment plans, tailor-made to cater to each patient’s distinct needs. Our dual-accredited dual-diagnosis care hinges on evidence-based practices that have proven efficacy in dual diagnosis treatment.If you or a loved one grapples with dual diagnoses, hesitation is not an option. Reach out today to The Differents dual diagnosis rehab center in Nevada, where we stand ready to provide the dual diagnosis care and support you seek. Your path to hope and healing begins here.