It seems like anxiety wears us all down these days, and given that anxiety disorders are the number one mental health condition in the country, you’re probably no stranger to its symptoms: the constant worried thoughts, racing heart, and tension throughout the body. Untreated or unmanaged anxiety—especially when it shows up alongside other illnesses or traumas—can feel like it’s getting the best of you.
When anxiety takes over for long periods, it’s easy to imagine reaching for a drink or getting high to take the edge off. And research shows that people who suffer from anxiety and depression have an even rougher time, and are more likely to resort to substances for relief. But unfortunately, some substances that seem to help in the moment can actually worsen anxiety, complicating the situation for anyone struggling with substance use disorder (SUD).
At Waypoint Recovery in South Carolina, we enrich treatment by focusing on helping you sort through anxiety and SUD together, so you can kick substances for good and manage anxiety confidently without them.
Substances and Anxiety: A Vicious Cycle
Many people might use illicit substances to calm down and, for a short while, those very substances may muffle noisy anxiety, only for it to resurface the next morning as shakiness, restlessness, or irritation. This experience may be substance-induced anxiety disorder, and it can show up while you’re using or as substances leave your system, creating anxiety that’s just as intense as ever. That dynamic can morph into an anxious loop of symptoms and substance use that only fuels both the SUD and the anxiety.
As you navigate negative substance-induced effects, here are substances to avoid, since they tend to trigger anxiety more than others, especially if you use them habitually.
- Alcohol
Alcohol can feel soothing at first, but it often interrupts sleep and messes with your brain chemistry. When it wears off, you might notice a racing heart, feel super annoyed, or experience that familiar anxious pain in your gut.
- Marijuana
Cannabis helps some people relax, but for others, it can bring on paranoia, overthinking, sudden panic, or even fear, especially with stronger products or higher amounts.
- Stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine
Stimulants push your nervous system into overdrive. You might feel energized briefly, then crash into intense worry, agitation, or full-blown panic.
- Hallucinogens
Substances like LSD or mushrooms can heighten emotions and sensations. For some people, that intensity can tip into fear or anxiety that sticks around afterward.
- Opioids and sedatives
These powerful substances can calm the body during use, then trigger anxiety as they leave your system. That emotional whiplash can feel exhausting and confusing.
Substance-induced anxiety often fades once the substance fully leaves your body, but symptoms typically come right back if problematic substance use continues. That cycle can blur the line between anxiety and SUD, which is why support can make such a difference.
Medications and Alternatives That May Help Anxiety
Managing anxiety doesn’t have to mean subbing one medical problem for another. It’s possible to find relief through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), carefully chosen medications, or even simple daily habits that help the nervous system find peace. Combining all three options always works great for some.
Medications That Can Support Anxiety
Doctors may often suggest antidepressants like SSRIs that work slowly and steadily, rather than help you monitor side effects and supplement meds with new routines and habits. SSRIs can help alleviate anxiety over time, but they typically take at least a month or two to take effect. Some people also opt for medications like buspirone for specific symptoms, but it’s best to do so under medical supervision while never mixing medications or adjusting dosages without your doctor’s permission.
Methods and Lifestyle Supports
Everyday tools can matter more than you might expect. Regular exercise, breathing and meditation practices, and even cutting back on that third cup of coffee can all help your body feel safer and calmer. Therapy can also help you understand anxious thoughts without getting pulled under by them, which can feel incredibly empowering in residential recovery in Port Matilda.
But the most important piece may be communication. Talking openly with a healthcare provider or during your therapy sessions can help you build an anxiety-management plan that fits your life, your history, and what you want moving forward.
Manage Anxiety in Recovery With Waypoint
Recovery isn’t just stepping away from substances. It’s also an exercise in curiosity: what does anxiety demand you learn? What new ways can you respond to it?
At Waypoint Recovery in South Carolina, the team understands how tightly anxiety and substance use disorder can be connected, and how important it is to find those answers. Fill out our admissions form to get started.
