Social anxiety is a common mental health disorder and can make it quite challenging for people to function daily. To cope with the symptoms, many people turn to substance use. Unfortunately, this form of self-medication can quickly turn to dependency and lead to the development of substance use disorder (SUD).
This path to addiction is true for many anxiety disorders. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that about 7.7 million adults with SUD also have a co-occurring mental illness. Anxiety disorders are just some of the many co-occurring conditions you may experience if you struggle with SUD.
NIDA also indicates that approximately 52% of individuals with SUD and a co-occurring disorder do not receive treatment for their mental health or substance use concerns. We hope you will not allow yourself to be included in that 52%. Instead, consider treatment today, especially if you are coping with social anxiety.
Social anxiety is a type of anxiety disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains that a person with social anxiety "feels symptoms of anxiety or fear in a situation where they may be scrutinized, evaluated, or judged by others." Some examples of social anxiety NIDA offers include public speaking, meeting new people, dating, or going on a job interview. However, social anxiety can manifest even in more mundane situations, like having to speak to a cashier in a grocery store.
Social anxiety disorders can be crippling. Intense fear can consume individuals to the point where they can no longer function in school, work, or everyday life. While some people can carry on with social situations despite their fears, others may utilize unhealthy coping methods. As mentioned, self-medication typically turns to dependence on addictive substances. Ultimately, individuals must find healthy and constructive ways to cope with their social anxiety instead of turning to substance use.
Before seeking treatment for social anxiety, individuals must be able to identify its signs and symptoms. Signs of social anxiety manifest when individuals must be in front of or around others and experience:
Additionally, common fears that someone with social anxiety may have to include the following:
Like other mental illnesses, there is no one cause of social anxiety. Instead, social and environmental factors can influence its development. However, people with social anxiety are at an increased risk of using dangerous means like alcohol or other drugs to help them cope.
Having a social anxiety disorder and SUD can be challenging, but treatment is possible. Individuals must seek treatment for both conditions simultaneously to heal. For example, by only seeking treatment for SUD, they do not get to the root of the problem, especially if social anxiety leads to substance use. The social anxiety will continue and make them at risk for relapse. On the flip side, if they only seek treatment for social anxiety, excessive substance use may lead to other chronic conditions.
Concurrent treatment for both tackles both problems equally and increases the chances of maintaining sobriety long-term. Individuals can seek treatment for SUD, social anxiety, and other co-occurring disorders through dual diagnosis programs.
A dual diagnosis program helps individuals seek treatment for their substance use and mental disorder. In addition to social anxiety, other common co-occurring conditions with SUD include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, and several others.
Treating both conditions will help individuals learn new coping skills to manage social anxiety and SUD. This way, when social anxiety is triggered, they can cope without substance use and reduce the risks of relapse.
Several kinds of treatment can help individuals with social anxiety. Some of these treatments are:
These are just a couple of therapies that may help with social anxiety. Other ways to manage symptoms include:
While these tips may help people manage their social anxiety, we encourage these individuals to seek treatment today. A life free of substance use and social anxiety is possible.
The line between substance use disorders (SUD) and other mental illnesses is paper thin. That includes co-occurring disorders like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety. Individuals struggling with social anxiety can be fearful and anxious about social situations, particularly where they fear being scrutinized, evaluated, or judged. These fears can be so intense that they struggle to function at school, work, or in everyday life. To reduce their social anxiety symptoms, some turn to substance use which can quickly lead to SUD. If that sounds like your situation, you are not alone, and treatment is possible. Call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 to seek treatment for SUD and social anxiety.
