Recovering from addiction is a life-long battle that requires long-term care, psychotherapy, support, and sometimes medication. It also requires underlying treatment of other mental health disorders, such as OCD, that can co-occur with addiction. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder characterized by uncontrollable thoughts and repetitive, ritualistic behaviors. It can be debilitating, and without proper treatment, can also negatively impact relapse and addiction recovery. How OCD can impact relapse is a bit complex to understand. Here are a few things to consider about the relationship between OCD and substance use.
OCD and Substance Abuse
OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder. OCD is characterized by having intrusive thoughts (or obsessions) that then lead to rituals or other acts, known as compulsions, which aim to help reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession.
For instance, someone with OCD may have an obsession that they ran over someone on the way to work. Instead of being able to dismiss this thought, they might do rituals like circling the same street they drove down until they feel calmer. This is a somewhat more extreme example, but it highlights how intrusive and life-disrupting OCD can be.
It also shows why many people with OCD report that the disorder came before their substance use disorder (SUD). While research is still being conducted on the link between OCD and SUD, possible reasons why OCD can lead to addiction include:
- Poor coping skills to manage anxiety
- Effect that opioids can have on OCD symptoms
- Self-medication of obsessions
- Genetic predisposition to both disorders
These are only a few potential links, but they highlight the complexity of how OCD can impact relapse, substance abuse, and addiction.
OCD Itself Has High Relapse Rates
It’s clear that OCD and addiction can be linked, with people who are diagnosed with both disorders suffering from more impairment in overall psychosocial functioning than individuals with OCD but without addiction issues. Research also shows that those who have both conditions may also have an increased risk for suicide.
How OCD can impact relapse might be due to OCD having high relapse rates in and of itself. OCD relapse is when people who have undergone treatment for OCD continue to engage in compulsions. The rate of relapse for OCD is as high as 59%.
Unfortunately, when someone relapses from OCD, it can trigger a relapse in their substance use disorder as well. The more anxiety someone feels due to their compulsions, the more likely they are to also feel shame, depression, and even guilt, which can all lead to addiction relapse. While relapse rates are unclear between people with OCD and SUD, what is clear is that people with OCD and addiction can benefit from support to treat both conditions.
Treating Co-Occurring OCD and Substance Use Disorder
When someone has co-occurring OCD and SUD, it’s important to address both disorders simultaneously. This means finding a treatment program that specializes in treating these dual diagnoses. Treatment may involve:
- Medication management for both disorders
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address negative thoughts related to obsessions, compulsions, addiction, or all of these elements
- Exposure and response prevention therapy, or ERP, to help manage OCD compulsions and improve coping skills
- Newer treatments like TMS, which are now approved for use in treating OCD by the FDA
It’s also crucial for people to be on the lookout for signs of relapse for both OCD and addiction. Knowing the triggers that lead to obsessions, compulsions, and using substances can be difficult to manage. However, professional mental health treatment can help people develop coping skills and relapse prevention strategies to reduce the risk of relapse for both disorders.
Finding Support and Hope
Living with co-occurring OCD and SUD can be challenging, but recovery is possible. At Pacific Mind Health, our team is here to help guide you through the recovery process of both addiction and OCD. We know that having both conditions can be difficult at times. That’s why we offer treatment for a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, OCD, substance use disorder, PTSD, and more. We’re also innovators in mental health treatment in Long Beach, offering ketamine therapy, TMS, psychotherapy, and other evidenced-based treatments. Don’t suffer alone. Reach out to us today and find the support and hope you need to live a fulfilling life in recovery.
