The maximization on non-medical treatment strategies for SUD is critical for patients with co-occurring disorders. Moreover, it is essential that substance abuse patients find ways to self-control anxiety symptoms to break the cycle of abuse. Substance induced anxiety can be addressed using individual or group therapy (Brady et al., 2013). Patients are taught on the use of meditation and yoga to facilitate emotional self-regulation. Some studies highlight the application of herbal and dietary products to help address withdrawal symptoms (Brady et al., 2013). When it comes to artificial medications, the use of benzodiazepines is known to undermine substance abuse control. Therefore, they are highly discouraged in SUD treatment (Strawn et al. 2018). Antidepressants can be used in the early phases of treatment due to their low latency or activation state. Disulfiram and naltrexone are recommended as treatment alternatives for SUD in patients with substance abuse (Brady et al., 2013). Nevertheless, the efficacy of the medications remains under-researched.
References
Brady, K. T., Haynes, L. F., Hartwell, K. J., & Killeen, T. K. (2013). Substance use disorders and anxiety: a treatment challenge for social workers. Social Work in Public Health, 28(3-4), 407–423. https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2013.774675
Strawn, J. R., Geracioti, L., Rajdev, N., Clemenza, K., & Levine, A. (2018). Pharmacotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder in adult and pediatric patients: an evidence-based treatment review. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 19(10), 1057–1070. https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2018.1491966