Addiction and OCD Treatment in Novato, California

On their own, suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and suffering from addiction can come with unique challenges that can greatly impact a person’s ability to live a seemingly “normal” life. While both conditions are treatable, they often require extensive treatment.

What happens though when someone is suffering from both OCD and addiction at the same time? On this page, we will not only answer that but also go more in-depth about OCD, the connections between OCD and addiction, and how Golden Gate Recovery can help with treatment for OCD and addiction.

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

A mental health condition, obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to alleviate the anxiety caused by these thoughts.

While it is not abnormal to experience the occasional obsessions or compulsions associated with OCD, someone suffering from OCD will experience these thoughts in a way where it actively disrupts their ability to go about their daily life and can even consume hours of their day.

For example, while it may be normal to run back inside and check to make sure you turned the oven off or check to make sure to locked the door, someone suffering from OCD may continue to check those things even after the initial checking. Additionally, the urge to want to check again may consume them to the point where they can’t focus on anything else.

Types of OCD

The example above about compulsively checking on something is just one example of OCD. There are many different types of OCD, all with their own unique set of compulsions and obsessions.

Below are some of the most common types of OCD:

Checking

Constantly checking to ensure tasks (like locking doors or turning off appliances) have been completed correctly.

Harm

Intrusive thoughts about causing harm to oneself or others, often accompanied by rituals to “prevent” harm.

Contamination

Fear of germs or uncleanliness leading to excessive cleaning or avoidance behaviors.

Symmetry and Order

A need for things to be arranged in a specific, “just right” way to reduce anxiety.

Obsession

Obsessions without visible compulsions, often involving mental rituals like repetitive counting or reassurance-seeking.

Signs and Symptoms of OCD and Addiction

Because symptoms of OCD aren’t always viewed through the prism of having a legitimate, serious mental health condition and may just be viewed as a “quirk”, it’s important to not just understand what OCD is but also what the symptoms of the condition are. Without properly identifying and diagnosing OCD, it can’t be treated.

If you think that you or someone you know may be suffering from OCD, below are some of the signs to keep an eye out for:

• Recurring, intrusive thoughts or images causing distress.
• Repetitive behaviors or mental acts are performed to relieve anxiety.
• Avoidance of triggers that provoke obsessions.

When someone is also suffering from a substance use disorder, in addition to obsessive-compulsive disorder, they may also display common signs of an addiction in addition to some of the OCD symptoms listed above.

These additional signs and symptoms include:

• Increased substance use to self-medicate or numb anxiety caused by obsessions.
• Development of physical or psychological dependence on drugs or alcohol.
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using substances.
• Difficulty maintaining relationships, employment, or daily responsibilities due to substance use or OCD rituals.

Someone suffering from both OCD and addiction co-currently may find themselves in a seemingly endless cycle where their OCD exacerbates their addiction which, in turn, worsens their OCD.

The Connection Between OCD and Addiction

The reason for this seemingly never-ending cycle is that, while both conditions involve attempts to manage distressing emotions and thoughts, they are actually both making the issues worse and not helping.

For some individuals suffering from OCD, the constant anxiety caused by obsessions can feel unbearable. When this happens, they may find themselves turning to drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medicating to get any sort of relief, even if it is only temporary.

While this may appear to be working, and the person may even experience brief periods of relief in the short-term, long term the constant use of drugs and alcohol may be making their OCD worse due to the drugs or alcohol effects on the brain.

For example, stimulants may heighten anxiety and intrusive thoughts, while depressants can impair cognitive functioning, making it harder to resist compulsions. The only way for this cycle to be broken is through dual-diagnosis treatment where both conditions can be treated simultaneously.

Does OCD Cause Addiction?

While there has been no evidence that shows that OCD directly causes addiction, those suffering from OCD may have a significantly greater risk of developing an addiction compared to someone who doesn’t have OCD.

As we touched on above, someone with untreated OCD may feel so desperate for relief that they will do whatever they can to get even temporary relief including turning to illicit or abusive substances such as alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines.

However, as is often the case with illicit substances, as they continue to use these drugs or alcohol for relief, their body and brains become dependent on the substance for any feelings of normalcy, leading to a cycle of addiction.

Addiction vs Compulsion

One of the most common questions about OCD and addiction is whether compulsive behavior is the same as addiction. While the two share similarities, they are fundamentally different.

Compulsion is defined as a repetitive behavior or mental act performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome. Compulsions are often not pleasurable, instead done in a way that feels more like an obligation than anything else. On the other hand, addiction often involves some sort of “reward”, such as the effect the drug has on the body and the brain to make it feel pleasurable.

One trait that the two do share is the need to continue doing them despite the negative consequences. Many people who have OCD know what they are doing isn’t healthy for them, yet they continue doing it because they feel as though they have no other option. The same can be said for addiction. Despite knowing the negative consequences associated with the substance use, or even attempts to stop, the person continues using because stopping comes with unpleasant and even possibly dangerous consequences (withdrawals).

Treatment for OCD and Addiction in Novato, CA

Men often face unique challenges when seeking help for OCD and addiction due to societal expectations and stigma. Cultural norms may discourage men from expressing vulnerability or admitting they need help, leading many to delay treatment. However, acknowledging the need for support is a sign of strength, and early intervention can make a significant difference in recovery.

Suffering from OCD and addiction is completely treatable through a specialty treatment program called dual diagnosis treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment is designed to address several different co-occurring disorders (in this case OCD and addiction) by trying to better understand and address the underlying causes that may have led to the development of the two conditions.

Treatment for co-occurring disorders, such as OCD and addiction often involves: