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Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be stressful, but it is a treatable condition. It is not uncommon for those with OCD to also be struggling with substance use disorders or addiction. Drugs or alcohol may be used as a way to reduce stress, calm anxiety, or cope with other symptoms of OCD. However, this is only a temporary fix and can lead to even more problems. Co-occurring disorders treatment and OCD treatment programs at Crossroads in Portland, Maine allows clients to regain control over their lives and effectively manage the challenges of these conditions.
Also known as “dual diagnosis“, co-occurring disorders treatment addresses both addiction and mental health simultaneously. Since these two conditions are intertwined and impact one another, clients learn how to recognize symptoms and implement healthy coping strategies. Treating OCD but not addiction or vice versa can increase the risk of relapse because it overlooks underlying issues. That is why Crossroads takes the time to create obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction treatment plans that address the full scope of clients’ needs in Portland, Maine. Clients learn how to live a thriving life in recovery while keeping OCD symptoms in check and abstaining from drugs and alcohol.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that makes a person produce unwanted urges and thoughts that drive them to do repetitive actions on the brink of being neurotic. It might resemble a normal person’s behavior of being obsessive about something like arranging books on a bookshelf or making sure every line on a coloring book is properly shaded. But OCD is in a different spectrum – it is on a higher level. Obsession can diminish within hours and days for normal people, but it can last for a lifetime for those with OCD. They constantly live in fear and worry that something grave will happen if they do not attend to their urges and this evidently damages one’s mental health.
These are the different types of people with OCD:
These are those who constantly clean because of fear of contamination.
Checkers are afraid of harm so they relentlessly make sure everything is safe and in place.
They always worry about things not being arranged properly or aligned with each other.
These are individuals who do not throw away anything out of fear that something bad will happen if they do.
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder are aware of their illnesses. It’s not surprising that many use different kinds of substances just to soothe their disturbing thoughts and persistent urges. OCD can disrupt a person’s life because their repeated rituals can eat the time meant for work, family, and other activities that are beneficial to physical and mental health. Mixing substance use with OCD will worsen the illness. Having addiction and OCD at the same time will completely destroy one’s life.
Due to the calming effects of drugs, alcohol, and any other substances, a person with OCD has the tendency to delay official treatment because they know they have something to fall into. OCD takes time to develop and catching issues early on can allow people to receive the professional OCD and addiction treatment programs they need before the condition becomes severe. Ignoring the signs and symptoms of OCD and addiction doesn’t make these problems go away. OCD and addiction can lead to increased drinking or risky decision making as well as interfere with quality of life.
Crossroads supports clients in working through the challenges they face with substance use and mental health. Our approach to therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction treatment programs are tailored to each client’s unique needs to maximize recovery. Because women and men are affected differently by these conditions, Crossroads provides gender-responsive treatment. This allows men and women to connect with others facing similar challenges and explore more deeply the topics most relevant to their recovery. Clients learn how to manage their OCD and addiction recovery so that they are empowered to make healthier decisions and reduce the risk of relapse.
The obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction treatment options range from residential programs specifically for women to outpatient therapy for women and men. Programs incorporate a variety of evidence-based approaches to treatment including:
With a comprehensive approach to obsessive-compulsive treatment and a focus on the issues most relevant to each client, healing and recovery can begin. Clients build healthy routines and engage in more positive thinking, effective problem solving, and constructive communication to support recovery. OCD and addiction treatment programs at Crossroads in Portland, Maine supports women and men in regaining control of their lives and not letting drugs, alcohol, obsessions, and compulsions take over. These are manageable conditions and long-term recovery is possible.
Ignoring the signs and symptoms of OCD and addiction does not make these problems go away. Catching issues early can allow people to receive the professional treatment they need to manage these conditions before they become more severe. OCD and addiction can lead to increased drinking or risky decision making as well as interfere with quality of life.
Treatment can help clients to recognize triggers, cope with symptoms as they arise, and be proactive in abstaining from using drugs or alcohol. Comprehensive treatment addresses the various ways addiction and mental health disorders impact clients’ lives and creates targeted methods for working through these challenges. Clients can feel more confident in their recovery and their ability to live a sober lifestyle they love.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction do not have to control a person’s life. There is help available and recovery is possible, call 877.978.1667 for you or a loved one. Crossroads empowers clients in remembering who they wanted to be and taking the steps to get there. Through effective obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction treatment programs in Portland, Maine, clients can receive the evidence-based, gender-responsive treatment they need to make the most of their future and live life to its fullest.