What is the difference between ocd and addiction

Of course, there is always the risk of them developing an addiction. Once someone has been struck with the disease of addiction, it becomes a permanent part of who they will be until the end of their time.

The other danger is not so obvious. While hiding their OCD under the cloak of addiction, the individual is probably not doing anything about getting treatment for the OCD.

It demands treatment if the individual has any designs on living a normal life. Under this category, there are two things to address. As far as treatment for OCD on its own, there are two common treatment options.

The first one is prescribed medication. The medication most doctors prescribed come from the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors group SSRIs. This includes antidepressants and antipsychotics. There are also certain forms of therapy psychologists use to treat OCD. This process involves repetitively exposing the patient to the triggers that create their compulsive behavior. Through overexposure, the hope is the patient will get desensitized to the stimuli, and the compulsive behavior will diminish.

The treatment process takes on a whole new dimension when an addiction gets intermingled with the OCD. In such cases, the individual should be seeking treatment in a rehab facility because of the specialized nature of addiction treatment. In fact, the addiction treatment community has a term for treating coexisting conditions. The premise behind dual diagnosis therapy is the client needs treatment for both issues at the same time.

He or she will complete this ritual despite being an hour late to work. The stress of OCD obsessions and compulsions on daily life can cause co-occurring drug addiction to take root. The key to effectively beating co-occurring addiction and OCD is treating the disorders at the same time. This form of mental health counseling teaches addicted people with OCD to cope with unwanted thoughts and feelings that can lead to drug abuse.

Antidepressant medications can also treat OCD symptoms. An inpatient or outpatient rehab can provide medically-assisted detox , mental health counseling for OCD symptoms and life coaching to stay sober.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction can leave you feeling helpless and alone. Treatment providers can discuss treatment with options with you. After graduation, he decided to pursue his passion of writing and editing. All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. David embarked on his journey into sobriety in June of , which led him to his current career path as a Certified Professional Addiction Recovery Coach in private practice in Greater Nashville.

David is also a public speaker and the author of two books. David is cohost of the weekly Positive Sobriety Podcast, as well as being a frequent contributor to various articles and recovery based materials.

As a member of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors NAADAC , David works closely with Nashville area treatment centers, nonprofit recovery organizations, and consulting with faith-based groups trying to bridge the gap between the recovery communities and faith-based organizations who wish to understand addiction. Mallorca, Spain. View Center. Athens, Greece. Andover, MA. Boston, MA.

Wakefield, MA. Quincy, MA. Canton, MA. Ashby, MA. Falmouth, MA. Ottawa, ON. Baldwinville, MA. Bethlehem, CT. Calverton, NY. New York City, NY.

Waymart, PA. New Brunswick, NJ. In fact, compulsions and addictions can be debilitating or damage relationships if untreated, for the individual and their family, friends, and others around them. Folks living with compulsions or addiction may find it beneficial to seek evaluation from a medical or mental health professional. They can recommend behavioral therapy, medication, and group-run recovery programs to help restore a sense of control over their behavior and get them the support they need.

If you are in an urgent situation, please visit our Emergency page to view a list of 24 hour support services and hotlines. All About Alice! Go Ask Alice! In Your Box.

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