OCD and Addiction

Many individuals have co-occurring disorders such as OCD and addiction. But, there seems to be a misunderstanding concerning these disorders. Contrary to popular belief, OCD (or obsessive-compulsive disorder) does not have to do with simply being neat or clean. How many times have you heard or seen the following: a person puts a coaster under your glass and says “Sorry, I have OCD.” Or, perhaps you have a loosely strewn stack of pens and said person rearranges them to look neat, under the guise of OCD. This condition involves more than that, it includes compulsive behavior and other internal elements.

This notion, that OCD is just hyperactive cleanliness, does harm to those suffering and struggling with OCD. Yes, obsessive-compulsive disorder can sometimes appear through obsessions or rituals with cleaning, compartmentalizing, etc. This is otherwise known as dual-diagnosis or co-occurring conditions.

When it comes to mental health and substance abuse, addiction treatment centers like Discovery Institute offer comprehensive help for both conditions to properly understand OCD and substance abuse, as well as treat both illnesses, we must be educated on each subject. In this article, we will run through the basic understanding of what OCD and drug and alcohol addiction are.

It is recommended to seek treatment for drug or alcohol addiction and mental health disorders like OCD. Once we have developed a basic understanding, we will look at three ways in which we can take steps toward recovery.

What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common mental illness in which a person may have uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and compulsive behavior (compulsions) which they feel the need to perform over and over. This can include flipping the light switch on and off repeatedly every time they enter a room. Or, perhaps, it can be having to polish every doorknob they open. OCD symptoms vary and may include numerous possibilities of what these obsessions or compulsions can manifest into. However, as we can see, it is much more complex than simply “hyper-cleanliness.”

Since we have discussed what OCD is not, to understand the connection between OCD and addiction, we must understand what it is. These obsessions are repeated thoughts, urges, or mental images that cause anxiety. They can include common symptoms such as aggressive thoughts towards others or self, unwanted taboos sexually, religiously, or harmfully, or needing to have objects symmetrical/in order. Negative consequences can arise from these compulsive behaviors. Mixing mental illnesses, like an anxiety disorder, and abusing drugs can be a problem as well.

A person suffering from OCD does not get a sense of pleasure from these tasks. But there may be a brief relief from the anxiety caused by obsessive thinking. Most people who suffer from OCD are diagnosed by 18 and roughly 1.8% of adults were diagnosed in the past year. There is also an estimated total of 2.2 million people living with this disorder. OCD symptoms tend to vary from case to case.

Is Addiction a Disease?

While many argue that addiction is a choice, just like any other, what science tells us is that addiction (or substance use disorder) is a disease. Recently the surgeon general has declared addiction to be a disease, which sparked much debate. The problem surrounding the idea that addiction is a choice stems from ignorance of science and the benefits of the disease model.

See, the way our brains are wired is to want more things that make us feel good. Due to evolution, we are wired to want the tastiest fruit or the yummiest berries. These were usually the most healthy. However, when we use substances such as narcotics or alcohol, our brain starts to change. The substances rewire the memory, pleasure, and motivation centers in our brain, so we no longer feel normal without the substance. This is called dependency. “Choosing” is never black and white when it comes to addiction.

What Is A Co-Occurring Disorder?

A co-occurring disorder, or a dual diagnosis, is when two diseases occur simultaneously, such as OCD and addiction. When a person has a co-occurring disorder, it is not just two different illnesses in one body. Instead, they intertwine and strengthen one another. This makes it even more difficult to cope, and more difficult to treat both illnesses. This is why it is so important to treat the whole person. Holistic care is an incredible way to combat co-occurring disorders like OCD and addiction.

All too commonly, co-occurring disorders are seen in the context of mental illness and addiction. Not only do these two illnesses intertwine, but they can also depend on one another, This not only affects how we cope (self-diagnosing), it affects how we recover. No longer is it possible to simply treat one disease. Many now argue that proper treatment must act as though the co-occurring disorders are one disease, and tackle both together (rather than separate).

Now that we have covered co-occurring disorders, we can address the connection between OCD and addiction. We at the Discovery Institute believe dual diagnosis must be treated together, and want you to know that we are here for you with the most medically backed treatment there is.

Is There A Connection Between OCD and Addiction?

Unfortunately, there is a close tie between those who struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction. Of those who have obsessive-compulsive disorder, roughly twenty-five percent also struggle with addiction. Thus, forming a co-occurring disorder.

Symptoms of OCD can often be debilitating for many individuals. Individuals who struggle with this disorder constantly have anxious thoughts and compulsions. In an attempt to escape these thoughts, it is easy to want to nullify the brain.

Professionals are not certain whether, in a dual diagnosis case, addiction causes mental illness or vice versa. But self-medicating, isolation, and anxiety are all triggers of addiction. The connection between obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction is clear. Substances are a quick relief to those suffering from OCD. Yet again, the choices we make are not so black and white.

Alongside this, secrecy and isolation are hallmarks of OCD. Many of those who struggle with this disorder feel as though they cannot be around people due to their thoughts and compulsions. However, this is yet another trigger of addiction.