Usually, stress creates a fear response that generally ends after the situation returns to normal. However, many women have chronic anxiety that makes them feel this stress response during a significant portion of the day. For those who already have a substance use disorder, anxiety can worsen the addiction. Those who have both may self-medicate through the practice of substance use. However, some women may develop an addiction when they turn to alcohol or drugs to calm their anxious feelings. Over time, regular use of the substance results in addiction. The best way to address both situations is with a women’s recovery program that includes anxiety treatment and substance use addiction care. Please call The Willows at Red Oak today at 855.773.0614 to learn about our dual diagnosis treatment options.

What Are Types of Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders take many forms, depending on their symptoms and what triggers them. Common forms of these disorders include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Phobias
• Social phobias
• Panic disorder

Technically, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not one of these disorders. However, it can also cause a fearful stress response from things that trigger memories of a traumatic event. Additionally, an obsessive-compulsive disorder causes fear when the individual fights against compulsive acts or obsessive thoughts.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a severe form of the condition that does not have a specific focus, as many phobias do. In fact, daily stresses balloon in the person’s mind to create the worst-case scenarios, leading to fear. The constant anxious thoughts and feelings with this condition often lead to physical symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset or sore muscles.

Phobias happen when someone feels fear or terror from a specific thing that generally does not present a danger. For instance, someone may fear going on an airplane, though flying is one of the safest travel methods.

Social phobias can cause severe disruptions in a woman’s life because this form of anxiety disorder occurs when anxious feelings arise in typical social situations, such as going to a friend’s home or even attending an event.

Lastly, panic disorder can create such strong feelings of fear and terror that the woman may confuse the chest pain and dizziness for a heart attack. A panic attack may happen without warning and make the individual feel intensely afraid. Some women may disrupt their lives to avoid the embarrassment of having a panic attack in public.

Is Women’s Anxiety Different from Men’s?

Anxiety does differ between men and women. Women report having all forms of anxiety disorders and panic attacks much more frequently than men. However, in some mixed-gender addiction recovery centers, this condition may not be a topic they address due to its rarer occurrence in men. At The Willows at Red Oak, though, we cater specifically to women and their needs, including offering anxiety disorder treatment programs as part of our rehab options.

Getting Help for Anxiety and Addiction

Seeking addiction recovery is only one piece of the puzzle. For those who have anxiety disorders, the stress of the condition may lead to an addiction relapse after rehab. One way to avoid this situation is by seeking a dual diagnosis treatment program that provides therapy solutions for both issues.

During dual diagnosis treatment at The Willows at Red Oak, clients have different forms of therapy. These treatments help them learn ways to cope with their anxious thoughts and to handle temptations as they fight their addiction. Some types of treatment options we provide our patients with include:

• Experiential therapy
• Acupuncture
• 12-step program
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program
• Yoga and fitness
• Individual therapy
• And many more addiction therapy treatments

By providing dual diagnosis treatment and offering multiple forms of therapy to address these, we can help women recover and avoid relapse for healthier lives after rehab.

Reach Out to The Willows at Red Oak

Young women with substance use disorders and anxiety can find the help they need at our supportive, resort-like facility near Asheville, NC. For more information about The Willows at Red Oak, phone us today at 855.773.0614. We also respond promptly to information requests or questions submitted online. Find out how to unlock your potential by freeing yourself from the things that hold you back. At The Willows at Red Oak, we strive to give you the tools to do this with our recovery programs.