Success Stories

More Success Stories

News and Events

Click here to read "Addressing the Complexities of Chronic Pain," by Dr. James Gagne, an internist at The Canyon. The article was published in Marin Medicine Magazine. (This link is provided solely for educational purposes.)

Recent Articles

• Teen Hitman Is Drug Trade’s Latest Casualty
• Grey’s Anatomy Actor Eric Dane Seeks Drug Treatment
• Cocaine’s Colorful History
• Amy Winehouse Found Dead
• U.S. Military Cracks Down On Drug Abuse
• New Report: Cocaine Supply Cut With Flesh-eating Drug
• Does The Social Network Glamorize Drug Use?
• Welfare Drug Testing Debate
• Relapse Lies
• Drug War Woes

The Need for Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Drug Addiction and Anxiety Disorder

Drug addiction and anxiety disorder: it may seem counterintuitive to those outside of this unique combination of co-occurring disorders, but in fact, it makes perfect sense to those who are in it. There's nothing like a gripping, overwhelming anxiety attack to convince you to immediately self medicate as quickly as possible with a sedative, painkiller or opiate-based drug. Do this frequently enough and anxiety disorder is now just half the problem: drug addiction sets in after only a brief period of regular drug use.

If you or someone you love suffers from the co-occurring disorders of anxiety disorder and drug addiction, then you can find an effective dual diagnosis treatment at The Canyon.

Drug Addiction and Anxiety Disorder: Mental State

Anxiety disorder, in some cases, may be caused by a mental issue or a mental issue in conjunction with a physical problem. These mental causes include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Phobias
• Panic disorder
• Stimulant drug abuse

A true anxiety attack can make you feel like death is imminent. Anything that will assuage the symptoms and put out the ever growing fire of panic feels like a godsend. Some prescription medications are prescribed specifically to be taken in the event of an acute panic attack. These medications, unfortunately, are highly addictive and those in the throes of a panic attack are hardly in a position to moderate their intake.

Drug Addiction and Anxiety Disorder: Stress

It's not just your state of mind that affects whether or not you develop anxiety disorder; every day stressors can also trigger anxiety disorder, which means that this is a problem that can happen to anyone. Some of the external sources of stress that can cause anxiety disorder include:

• Work stress
• School stress
• Relationship stress
• Financial stress
• Grief related stress
• Medical illness
• Medication side effects
• Drug abuse, especially stimulants

Drug Addiction and Anxiety Disorder: Self Medicating Your Emotions

Again, doctors often prescribe medication if stress-related anxiety disorder develops but even these short-term medications can spawn drug addiction. On the other hand, it is more common that those who suffer from an acute attack of anxiety will self medicate, starting with alcohol or pills. Of course, it is difficult to process feelings when you are numb or under the influence, so most will find that when they wake up from their binge, the anxiety inducing stress is still present and the anxious reaction recurs. Without any better way to deal with it, many choose to self medicate yet again. Repeating this for any length of time quickly means that drug addiction will quickly be a new problem to add to the last.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Drug Addiction and Anxiety Disorder at The Canyon

At The Canyon, we are a certified dual diagnosis treatment center for those who suffer from co-occurring disorders like anxiety disorder and drug addiction. If you would like more information about how we can help you or your loved one, contact The Canyon today at .

Articles on Dual Diagnosis

• Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
• Drug Rehab for Individuals with Co-Occurring Disorders
• The Impact of Prescription Drug Addiction and Depression
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment and Drug Detox
• How To Make Mental Health Treatment in Drug Rehab Work for You
• Treatment for Drug Addiction and Anxiety Disorders
• Dual Diagnosis in Drug Rehab for the Elderly
• Bulimia Treatment and Co-Occurring Disorders
• Anxiety Disorder Types in Drug Rehab
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Addiction and Anorexia
• Anxiety Disorder Treatment and Dual Diagnosis
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Co-Occurring Disorder
• The Need for Mental Health Treatment: Drug Addiction and Depression
• Mental Health Treatment and Chinese Traditional Medicine
• Holistic Dual Diagnosis Treatment
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Addiction and Bulimia
• Alternative Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Anxiety Disorder and Depression
• Prescription Drug Rehab and Depression Treatment
• Bipolar Disorder Treatment and Co-Occurring Disorders
• Helping a Family Member with Dual Diagnosis Treatment
• Depression Symptoms and Co-Occurring Disorders
• Anorexia Treatment and Dual Diagnosis
• Drug Addiction Co-occurring With Depression
• Herbal Treatment for Anxiety and Depression
• The Need for Mental Health Treatment: Drug Addiction and Bipolar Disorder
• Co-Occurring Disorders
• The Importance of a Medical Diagnosis With Co-Occurring Disorders
• Women, Drug Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders
• Co-Occurring Addictions and Alcoholism
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Dual Diagnosis Drug Treatment
• Dual Diagnosis and Drug Rehab
• Anxiety Disorder Symptoms and Co-Occurring Disorders
• Drug Rehab Uses Anti-Depressants to Treat Depression
• Painkiller Addiction and Depression
• ADD & Addiction
• Co-occurring Disorders and Healthcare Reform
• Suicide and Addiction
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Treating the Whole Person
• The Importance of Mental Health Screenings
• DBT Makes It About Mindfulness
• Bipolar Warning Signs
• Tragedy In Tucson
• Sexual Abuse and Addiction
• Bipolar and Addiction
• Charlie Sheen Story Not Funny
• What Is Integrated Treatment?
• Reality TV Risks to Those With Co-occurring Disorders
• Paulina Porizkova’s Battle With Anxiety