If you’re struggling with OCD, your days are already consumed by anxiety and compulsive behaviors. Add in the burden of addiction, and recovery can seem impossible.
At Ardu Recovery Center, we don’t use words like ‘impossible.’ Our dual diagnosis treatment program employs addiction and mental health experts to guide you through sobriety and lasting freedom from OCD.
If you need help to overcome addiction, our drug and alcohol rehab center will welcome you with open arms. We offer a positive, supportive environment alongside the tools and resources you need to get clean.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health disorder characterized by intense, uncontrollable thoughts and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Those who have OCD often feel unable to control these intrusive thoughts and ritualized actions that disrupt their daily functioning.
The causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder are still unclear. Medical experts at the Mayo Clinic suggest that a mixture of genetic vulnerability, biological abnormalities, and environmental influences can trigger the onset of OCD.
OCD may develop from a mix of:
As stress often exacerbates the condition, OCD symptoms sometimes fluctuate in severity. The symptoms of OCD can include:
While OCD is a condition with no known cure, some treatments can help manage the symptoms. Medical experts typically prescribe a combination of the following treatments:
Tormented by ceaseless intrusive thoughts and repetitive rituals, many people with OCD turn to self-medicating. They often start drinking or doing drugs to find temporary relief. This can often spiral out of control and lead to addiction, exacerbating rather than alleviating their suffering.
Substance abuse is relatively common among people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. An Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA) study estimates that 24% of individuals with OCD meet lifetime criteria for an alcohol use disorder, and 18% meet lifetime criteria for a drug use disorder. Swedish researchers found that OCD was associated with a 4.5-fold increased risk of alcohol-related disorders, a 6.7-fold increased risk of any drug-related disorder, and a 5.2-fold increased risk of substance use-related death compared with individuals without OCD.
The ECA study also suggests that the debilitating OCD symptoms drive many to seek treatment. Those who receive treatment for their substance use disorder range from 6% to 12%, which is two to six times higher than the general population.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 90% of people with OCD are diagnosed with at least one other mental health condition or substance use disorder. Depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobias, and panic disorder are among the most common.
This is called a dual diagnosis: when a person suffers from two or more disorders simultaneously. Our co-occurring disorder treatment addresses both OCD and coexisting addiction at the same time.
The most effective treatment for co-occurring OCD and addiction involves an integrated approach that addresses both disorders simultaneously. This dual diagnosis program should consist of psychotherapies to treat OCD symptoms and facilitate recovery from addiction.
Ardu Recovery Center is equipped to provide comprehensive dual diagnosis care with a complete spectrum of evidence-based services. Our experienced team specializes in treating co-occurring disorders through coordinated substance abuse and mental health interventions tailored to each client’s needs.
To treat the symptoms of your obsessive-compulsive disorder, we use:
For the addiction aspect, our dual diagnosis program incorporates the following treatment modalities:
Our combined treatment modalities that treat OCD and addiction concurrently provide the best odds for lasting recovery. We focus on coping skills and lifestyle changes for your long-term sobriety and wellness. Our compassionate team will customize an integrated treatment plan to address your unique challenges with evidence-based therapies for the healing of mind, body, and spirit.
Contact Ardu and take the first step toward reclaiming your life.
The beginning of every recovery journey is detox. Our dual diagnosis detox center safely clears substances from your body and helps you through substance withdrawal symptoms. This lays a stable foundation so you can then focus on addressing trauma and mental health needs in our rehab therapy. Our caring staff will provide around-the-clock medical support for your safety and comfort.
Our specialized rehab services provide an inpatient care program in a structured environment through individualized daily therapy and activities geared toward healing. For those wanting more flexibility, we also offer intensive outpatient treatment, allowing you to maintain your daily routines while still receiving thorough therapy tailored to your needs.
Our family counseling program plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with co-occurring issues. Family therapy sessions help repair relationships, enhance communication, and educate families on how to support their loved one’s recovery. You may also need nutritional support to boost energy, stabilize mood, and improve health. Our nutrition counseling services provide education on the importance of a balanced diet and how it can positively impact your treatment and recovery.
You don’t have to face this journey alone—our alcohol treatment center and drug rehab programs are here to support you every step of the way as you get clean and manage your OCD triggers.
I’ve been to many other treatment centers but none of them feel like Ardu. Ardu is such a loving, compassionate, and spiritual place! The staff truly cared about me and taught me so much about myself. They’ve made such a positive impact on my life. Ardu will always be my family and I’m eternally grateful For the safe place they create in order for me and others to heal.
Anyone struggling with drug or alcohol abuse or addiction is eligible to enroll in our dual diagnosis facility. To enroll in an Ardu program, contact us online or via phone (801-872-8480). With our guidance, you will find a recovery path that works for you during the detox process and beyond.
You can pay for treatment with your insurance if your health insurance providers cover our treatment services (we accept most insurance companies). If you want to verify your insurance coverage and gather more payment information, visit our insurance verification page.
The gold standard for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder is an integrated approach including cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant medications like SSRIs. CBT helps patients modify distorted thinking patterns related to obsessions, while medications can help regulate serotonin levels and brain chemistry linked to OCD.
This combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy provided by a specialized multidisciplinary team allows for a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the patient’s specific symptoms and changing needs. Many patients find relief through consistent adherence to this integrated approach.
You can still have children even with an OCD diagnosis. With ongoing treatment plus strong social support, many parents with obsessive-compulsive disorder raise happy, psychologically healthy families. Discuss plans surrounding pregnancy and parenting openly with your treatment providers to ensure appropriate coping techniques are in place beforehand. Therapy empowers the development of stress management and self-care skills vital for parents with OCD. You can also join parent support groups to find help in facing everyday challenges.
Double-checking compulsions, while providing temporary relief, can be overcome through cognitive behavioral therapy techniques like exposure and response prevention therapy. This involves gradually facing uncertainty and fears and intentionally refraining from giving in to the intense urge to check excessively.
Though extremely distressing initially, resisting such rituals ultimately reinforces that the resulting anxiety does pass naturally. As coping skills grow, activities like mindfulness, art therapy, or lifestyle changes that reduce stress can further empower resilience against obsessive doubts. With time and commitment, freedom from the exhaustive cycle of double-checking is possible.
The dual diagnosis care model provides a fully integrated treatment of both primary mental health issues like OCD alongside any co-occurring addiction issues. Coordination between mental health professionals and addiction specialists leads to long-term recovery by comprehensively addressing the interconnectedness of both disorders.
While there is no medical cure for obsessive-compulsive disorder, the ultimate goal of therapy is equipping individuals with effective psychological skills for independent management of symptoms so OCD minimally impacts quality of life. Our evidence-based strategies can help you remain actively involved in treatment even during periods of remission. This is crucial for continued success, as personalized therapy can empower coping both during difficult times and for lifelong wellness.
With mutual understanding and healthy communication habits, two partners with OCD can build satisfying marriages. Committing to relationship-focused therapy provides positive strategies for identifying triggers, expressing needs, and supporting one another during difficult times. Continually collaborating with specialized providers individually and as a couple ensures issues are skillfully handled before posing threats. Shared intimate knowledge of OCD’s challenges can uniquely enrich compassion.
Full recovery from obsessive-compulsive disorder is possible through commitment to daily recovery practices over two to three years on average. Though acute OCD symptoms may periodically surface due to emotional stress or other factors, intensive cognitive behavioral therapy can equip individuals with tools to manage challenging symptoms themselves. Healthy lifestyle adjustments empower further stability.
The life experience for someone with OCD depends on factors like symptom severity, treatment consistency, financial resources, and social support systems. Those receiving appropriate therapy and medication through integrated care often see dramatic improvements in overall quality of life. This includes things like interpersonal relationships, professional accomplishments, and self-confidence.
People with OCD live in cycles, so it’s important to develop sustainable self-care practices with support groups and compassionate support from loved ones.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. (2023, December 21). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432
Mancebo, M. C., Grant, J. E., Pinto, A., Eisen, J. L., & Rasmussen, S. A. (2009). Substance Use Disorders in an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Clinical Sample. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23(4), 429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2008.08.008
Virtanen, S., Kuja-Halkola, R., Sidorchuk, A., Rück, C., Lundström, S., Suvisaari, J., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., Mataix-Cols, D., & Latvala, A. (2022). Association of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms With Substance Misuse in 2 Longitudinal Cohorts in Sweden. JAMA Network Open, 5(6). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.14779
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2016). https://www.samhsa.gov/. Retrieved February 29, 2024, from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma16-4977.pdf
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