Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder where an individual has recurring thoughts and anxieties to do certain things in a set manner or a number of times to temporarily relieve those obsessions. OCD and addiction both can be a hindrance to normal, everyday functioning and are based on chemical imbalances in the brain. Obsession and compulsion are common between both disorders. The symptoms of the two may not be exactly similar, but there is a common thread of maintaining secrecy and ignorance to face the problem between the two, which can push the problem to an advanced state.
OCD causes extreme anxiety; to relieve or overcome that anxiety, many people resort to some kind of addiction like drugs or alcohol. Alcohol or any other substance abuse temporarily reduces anxiousness, but once the effect wears off, it can actually cause more anxiety or worry. The solution to mental disorders lies in treating them by seeking help for treatment recovery, taking therapy and medication, eating well, and exercising on a regular basis to channelize your energy. In this regard, dual diagnosis treatment facilities provide a clean and pleasant environment to cleanse the mind, body, and soul altogether. They help you overcome your addiction and win back your normal routine life.
Common Symptoms of OCD
- Repetitive washing of hands or compulsive cleaning
- Repetitively counting things in fear of losing or misplacing them
- Seeking perfection, symmetry, and order
- Fear of contamination, germs, or dirt
- Fear of throwing away anything, which leads to hoarding or collecting of non-required junk
- Excessive belief in religion, beliefs, or superstition
- Double checking and repetitive checking of things
- Explicitly sexual or violent thoughts
- Checking up on loved ones repetitively
- Obsession with food, nutritional value, and food measurement
The symptoms may vary from individual to individual. Individuals suffering from OCD can mainly be categorized into five categories, which are as follows:
- Washers
- Checkers
- Doubters and sinners
- Counters and arrangers
- Hoarders
Addiction can only worsen mental disorders causing further disillusionment and anxiety. The dual diagnosis treatment facilities can bring stability to the mental and physical system, thus also reducing OCD symptoms.
Dual diagnosis of OCD and addiction can be a complex affair as people suffering from it either fail to comprehend their own problem or try to keep it private, and an addiction to alcohol or drugs can only make their situation worse.
If addiction and mental disorders go untreated, they can turn out to be going worse with time and can cause self-harming or suicidal tendencies in patients who start feeling suffocated and trapped in the vicious circle. If you or your loved ones can relate to any of the above symptoms, it is highly advisable that you seek professional medical advice as soon as possible to prevent things get out of control. At a detox rehab and drug recovery center they offer a very relaxed where they give you medication as prescribed and try to make detox as painless and gentle as possible. The efficient and trained staff and psychiatric professionals give you individual attention as per your current situation and requirements for the treatment.