As a man, having a panic disorder can be challenging. You may have been criticized about your symptoms or you may simply feel self-judgment about dealing with panic. Additionally, you might feel unsure about how to manage your panic disorder. Reaching for alcohol or drugs such as opioids may seem like a simple solution. However, turning to opioids to manage panic disorder symptoms can lead to addiction. Fortunately, you can learn better ways to manage panic disorder from opioid treatment centers. At Buena Vista Recovery, you can go through a treatment program that can help you to learn the necessary skills to stay sober long-term. You can find freedom from addiction and learn to manage your panic disorder while sober.
Panic Disorder and Opioid Abuse
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about 2.7% of adults in the United States experience panic disorder. While panic disorder is more prevalent in women, men are also at risk for experiencing it. Panic disorder falls under the broad category of anxiety disorders. Its symptoms are repeated and unexpected episodes of intense fear or panic.
When you experience this intense fear, you may have symptoms that include shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or feeling like your heart is beating out of your chest. This experience of panic disorder is distinctly different from other types of panic. What’s more, the episodes occur out of the blue rather than being related to certain stimuli.
Why Men Choose Opioids
As a man, feeling panicked can be embarrassing. You may feel shame about experiencing panic attacks and want to make it go away. As a result, you may find yourself reaching for a substance to control the feeling. Opioids are a common choice for men who are seeking a way to escape uncomfortable feelings and relax.
However, opioids are a highly addictive class of drugs. While they are effective for immediate relief, using opioids as a way to self-medicate puts you at risk for opioid addiction and opioid overdose. Additionally, if you use opioids to manage your panic disorder, your body will need more frequent and higher doses of opioids to achieve the desired result. Therefore, over time you can become highly dependent on opioids.
Healing at Opioid Treatment Centers
If you find yourself struggling with panic disorder and opioid addiction, it is important to seek help from professionals. Your experience at opioid treatment centers will be unique to you. However, treatment often involves determining the root causes of your addiction and learning new skills that will help you find freedom from opioid addiction.
Getting to the Root Cause at Opioid Treatment Centers
While you may share many experiences with other men who struggle with opioid addiction and panic disorder, your story is unique. Identifying your root causes is an important piece of your treatment. However, it can be challenging to identify those without help. By working with a counselor, you can improve your understanding of how you got to where you are now. A counselor can help you pinpoint the origin of your panic disorder. They can also likely help you understand how your panic disorder played a role in developing opioid abuse.
Learning New Skills at Opioid Treatment Centers
Once you have a clear understanding of your path to opioid addiction, the next step is to learn new skills. You will need many new skills in order to manage your sobriety after treatment. With panic disorder, these skills will include learning to manage your anxiety symptoms. Other skills you will need include learning to manage triggers, maintaining overall good mental health, and caring for your needs physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Managing panic disorder is not an easy task. However, many techniques can help you to deal with panic. With multiple strategies at your fingertips like breathing, exercise, and getting support, you can make different choices in the future regarding your panic disorder. Remember, managing panic disorder takes time and practice. Treatment at Buena Vista Recovery offers support that will help you to gain a better understanding of the path to successfully managing panic.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Buena Vista Recovery
A dual diagnosis is when you have a mental health disorder such as panic disorder and also struggle with addiction. Panic disorder and addiction impact each other. If you receive help for addiction without managing your panic disorder, or vice versa, you are at risk for relapse in the future.
However, with dual diagnosis treatment at Buena Vista Recovery, you can heal fully and permanently. This is because dual diagnosis helps you to understand the role your mental health plays in your recovery. When you learn to identify your deeper issues and the connection between disorders, you will have a clearer picture of your situation. This clear picture helps you to better identify and build the skills you need. These much-needed skills will help you to maintain your mental health and your sobriety.
Managing panic disorder and addiction together is no easy task. That is why getting help is so important. With support, you can find freedom from addiction and find healthy ways to maintain your mental health.
Many men struggle with panic disorder. However, due to the stigma related to it, panic disorder is often hard for men to manage. Therefore, many men turn to opioids as a way to cope and manage their anxiety symptoms. Unfortunately, opioids are highly addictive. At Buena Vista Recovery, we understand that the stigma of mental health disorders can make seeking treatment difficult. We work with men to understand this stigma, work through their challenges, and build skills to find freedom from addiction and manage mental health disorders. If you are struggling with a mental health disorder and addiction, we can help. Call us today at (480) 741-9414 to learn more about our programs and how we can help you heal.
