Honestly, at some point in our lives, we tend to suffer from bouts of obsessive-compulsive behavior. How many times have you rearranged a silverware drawer because the forks were a little helter-skelter? Perhaps you tend to push your socks into place, so each one is even with each shoe. On the other hand, you might tend to organize candy into neat little color-coordinated rows as you eat it. No matter what little quirk you have, obsessive-compulsion will always be a natural part of human life. However, what are doctors supposed to do when OCD patients, who have a legitimate problem, are also suffering from drug addiction? Let’s take a closer look at how to deal with these comorbid disorders.
What Are the Warning Signs of OCD?
Before we begin, let’s take a closer look at the first issue.
Initially categorized as an anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is now classified as a variety of mental problem related to repetition and overwhelming fear in the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Often, OCD patients will suffer from ritualistic behaviors and will exhibit tremendous terror. Here are some examples of common symptoms:
- Germaphobia
- Hypochondria
- Fear of inflicting harm on other people
- Obsession with counting objects
- Desire to wash hands, brush teeth, and clean the body repetitively
- Continuously sorting items
- Continuously spellchecking documents
The Connection to Addiction
In many cases, OCD patients will start using drugs at the time their symptoms first start to emerge during childhood and adolescence. During this time, they may be psychologically distressed due to frustration and fear of their symptoms, which can lead to more severe forms of mental illness.
One method doctors use to treat comorbid OCD and addiction is called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which helps patients combat symptoms by exposing them to the fears or compulsions that feed their obsessive behavior. A combination of ERP and outpatient addiction therapy can prove lifesaving to some OCD addicts.
Seeking Treatment for Drug Addiction or Alcoholism
Alcoholism and drug addiction are dangerous sicknesses that should never be taken lightly. All it takes to fall off the wagon and become sick is to take that first sniff, snort, injection, or shot before you are rolling downhill into insanity. Still, you can always push the train back up, but it will be a difficult hike. However, with the right mixture of perseverance and determination, you can easily get back on track and be happy once more.
Are you suffering from a severe case of alcoholism or drug addiction? Do you have a friend or a loved one who is coping with the same illness? In both cases, get in touch us at with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of drug withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you are seeking more information about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.
