Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Addiction

The prevalence of severe mental health problems co-occurring with substance use disorder is alarming. But what’s even more alarming is how many people fail to receive treatment.

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According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, about 50% of those who suffer from substance use disorder (SUD) also grapple with severe mental health issues. Roughly 37% of alcohol abusers have also been diagnosed with serious mental illness.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental health issue that can co-occur alongside SUD. However, due to the complexity of OCD-SUD comorbidity, patients often lack the necessary resources to recover.

Left untreated, these comorbid conditions can drastically affect the well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life of those affected by them.

Thankfully, with personalized treatment options, expert providers, and the right resources, you or any of your loved ones suffering from co-occurring disorders can overcome the crisis. But first, let’s walk you through everything you need to know about OCD and addiction.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and obsessions (urges). It’s the fourth most common mental disorder worldwide with over 70 million reported cases.

In the US alone, roughly 3 million adults are known to suffer from OCD. Research also indicates that 1 in 40 people develops obsessive compulsions in the course of their lives.

Physicians initially classify OCD as another form of anxiety disorder. However, while it involves high anxiety levels in the individual, the recent iteration of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) no longer categorizes OCD as such.

What Causes OCD?

Unfortunately, the disorder’s causes are not yet fully known or understood. However, several risk factors can play in its development, including the following:

  • Family history: People with family members suffering from OCD are more likely to develop the disorder. Some experts associate this connection with genetics while others point to learned behavior or exposure.
  • Learned behavior: OCD can still occur even without hereditary factors at play, though. Some people’s habitual or repetitive behaviors may turn into compulsions when they associate them with relief, particularly from anxiety.
  • Brain structure: Your brain’s chemical structure may be producing functional abnormalities causing OCD to occur. Some people suffering from obsessive thoughts and compulsions typically have low levels of serotonin and bizarrely active brain regions.
  • Overall temperament: Personality is another factor shown to correlate with OCD. In one research by the National Institute of Mental Health, children who exhibit reserved or anxious behaviors are more prone to the disorder. Methodical people with high self-standards are also more likely to develop obsessions or compulsive behaviors.
  • Childhood trauma: There are some studies indicating that OCD may be more common in people who experienced trauma, such as neglect, bullying, or abuse. Often, the symptoms begin during emotional events, including childbirth or the death of a loved one.

What Are OCD Symptoms?

The symptoms of OCD may vary from person to person. But they generally manifest both mentally and physically.

The most common signs of OCD come in frequent episodes of obsessions and compulsions. In some cases, the individual with OCD may also exhibit “tics” where they make involuntary sounds or movements.

Obsessions

Obsessive thoughts are one of the most typical hallmarks of OCD. These are unwanted, intrusive, ideas, or mental images that the individual can have repeatedly, despite their effort to stop having them.

Some examples of unwanted thoughts are:

  • Exaggerated concern and worry that most people don’t have.
  • Unreasonable fear of getting hurt, whether due to accidents or diseases.
  • Bizzare protectiveness and sense of responsibility to protect others, especially loved ones, from harm.
  • Abnormal fear of contamination from viruses, germs, bacteria, or other environmental substances.
  • Hyperfixation over order, exactness, and symmetry.
  • Becoming overly aware of others’ minute movements, such as blinking and breathing.
  • Constant mulling over moral, religious, or political issues.
  • Anxiety over losing control over speech, forgetting things, and losing memories.
  • Intrusive and usually upsetting ideas about violence, sexual encounters, accidents, and other concerns.

Compulsions

Compulsions are behaviors that follow obsessions. A person may believe that doing them can stop the unpleasant feeling or worry about something bad happening.

Over time, these compulsions become habitual, repetitive actions that become lifelong rituals. Here are some examples of compulsive behaviors:

  • Excessive hand washing, toothbrushing, showering, or other hygiene activities.
  • Repetitive cleaning, particularly their home and other personal items.
  • Hoarding behavior or the inability to part with possessions
  • Constant checking of house locks, windows, and electric and gas appliances.
  • You keep a rigid schedule and do tasks in a specific order or pattern.
  • Rearranging anything into something you see or feel as disorderly.
  • You constantly seek approval and reassurance from loved ones or friends.
  • The urge to count anything, such as the number of steps in a building.
  • You move, tap, or touch anything in a specific manner or a set amount of time.

What Links Obsessive Compulsive and Substance Use Disorder?

Co-occurring mental illnesses are a prevalent issue for people suffering from addiction. However, current studies on the links between OCD and drug abuse may vary widely in their findings. The exact estimation of how many people with this dual diagnosis also differs.

That said, in one study in 2019, experts followed over 38,000 military veterans with OCD. They found that more than a third (36%) of the 38,000 also deal with tobacco, opioid, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, and alcohol use disorders.

So, what links OCD and SUD exactly? Well, experts have come up with several explanations for the co-occurrence of mental illnesses and substance abuse issues.

  • Self-medication: Some people may be using addictive substances to cope with the unpleasant symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • Genetics: An individual’s genetics may be causing the individual to become more susceptible to the risk factors of OCD and addiction.
  • Trauma: Unresolved traumatic experiences, especially during childhood, may make the individual prone to developing both SUD and compulsive-obsessive behaviors.
  • Impulsivity: OCD patients usually exhibit increased impulsivity and risky decision-making, which are strong predictors for substance abuse cases.

It’s important to note that some symptoms of OCD may appear similar to the signs of drug use. However, while addiction involves intense compulsive behaviors, the compulsions in an OCD don’t necessarily count as addiction.

Treatment for Co-Occurring OCD and Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorder and OCD are treatable conditions. Treatment plans addressing both disorders simultaneously usually result in considerable improvements.

Supervised Medication

Healthcare providers may prescribe you medicines to help detox or eliminate the substances from your system and manage OCD symptoms.

  • Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These are typically a type of antidepressant drug for alleviating OCD symptoms. SSRIs help balance the brain’s neuroreceptors affecting the individual’s behavior and mood. They’re usually given in higher doses than when used to treat depression. Some examples of these drugs are Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil), Citalopram (Celexa), and Sertraline (Zoloft).
  • Inpatient/Outpatient: Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your clinicians may recommend either an inpatient or outpatient treatment approach. Inpatient, also called residential treatment programs, means the individual will remain in a controlled environment during the recovery. On the other hand, outpatient programs allow you to receive treatment without confinement.

Psychotherapy

Both OCD and addiction have been shown to respond well to psychotherapy (talk therapy). In this approach, you’ll work with a therapist to understand your condition and learn valuable coping skills for long-term healing.

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is an evidence-based treatment used for addressing various mental health conditions, such as SUD and OCD. CBT aims to help the patient identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and learn to change them. As a strategy, it teaches the individual practical skills to bring immediate positive changes in their lifestyle.
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT is another helpful talk therapy for those who suffer from obsessive compulsions. It’s a variant of CBT that focuses on mindfulness and becoming more self-aware (thoughts, emotions, etc.). It teaches several valuable skills to alleviate OCD symptoms, including distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation.
  • Support groups and programs: Recovering from OCD and SUD can be difficult alone. So, besides getting professional help, connecting and talking with other people with similar experiences can be extremely helpful. Some support groups also offer programs that support recovering SUD patients.

Final Thoughts: Seeking Professional Help

The prevalence of severe mental health problems co-occurring with substance use disorder is alarming. But what’s even more alarming is how many people fail to receive treatment, because they lack the resources or deny the reality that they need professional help.

So, don’t let hesitation stop you from seeking help. Reach out to Live Free Recovery Services for the best and most personalized treatment plans to help you get back on track.

References

Published on: 2024-09-09
Updated on: 2024-09-09


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