How OCD and Alcoholism Interact

It’s estimated that more than two million people in the United States are living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This mental health disorder is characterized by intrusive, repetitive thoughts and behaviors. It can be debilitating, making it difficult to work or even maintain relationships. 

On top of that, many OCD sufferers also struggle with alcohol use disorder (AUD), which can make their symptoms worse. In the following post, we will explore how OCD and alcoholism interact and what steps someone with both conditions can take to manage them. 

You’ll learn about the warning signs of the two conditions, how they may feed off of each other, and treatment options available for someone struggling with both.

What Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

There are many different types of OCD, but the most common feature is having intrusive and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that lead to anxiety and distress. People with OCD often try to neutralize their obsessions with compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts). For example, a person with OCD might have an obsession with contamination and wash their hands compulsively to reduce their fear of becoming sick.

OCD can be a debilitating disorder that interferes with daily life. It can cause significant distress and impair functioning at work, school, and in personal relationships. People with OCD often avoid situations that trigger their obsessions or engage in rituals that temporarily relieve their anxiety. However, these avoidance strategies and rituals ultimately reinforce the OCD cycle and make the disorder worse in the long run.

People with OCD are at increased risk for developing other psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. The co-occurrence of OCD and other psychiatric disorders is called comorbidity. Comorbidity can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of both disorders. One of these disorders is alcoholism. 

What Is alcoholism And How Does It Interact With OCD?

There are many different types of alcoholism, but all of them involve a strong, uncontrollable craving for alcohol. People with alcoholism often drink too much, too often, and for longer periods of time than they intended to. They may also continue to drink even after it’s causing problems in their lives.

Alcoholism is more than just drinking too much from time to time. It’s a chronic disease that can cause major health problems, including liver damage, heart disease, and cancer. Alcoholism can also lead to mental health problems like anxiety and depression. If you have alcoholism, you may need treatment to help you stop drinking.

So, how do OCD and alcoholism interact?

The interaction between OCD and alcoholism is complex and not fully understood. There is evidence that OCD may increase the risk for developing alcoholism, and that alcoholism may worsen OCD symptoms.

People with OCD may use alcohol as a way to cope with their anxiety and compulsions. Alcohol can help to temporarily reduce anxiety and provide a sense of relief from obsessive thoughts. However, over time, alcohol can make OCD symptoms worse. People with OCD who drink heavily are more likely to experience severe compulsions, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Alcoholism can also trigger or worsen OCD symptoms. Anxiety is a common symptom of withdrawal from alcohol, and people with OCD may be particularly sensitive to this anxiety. In addition, people with alcoholism are at increased risk for developing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is not known exactly why the two conditions are linked, but it is thought that they share certain genetic and/or environmental risk factors.

If you have OCD and alcoholism, it is important to get treatment for both conditions. Untreated OCD can lead to worsening symptoms and increased alcohol use, which can in turn worsen OCD symptoms. Alcoholism can also cause serious health problems, so getting treatment is essential to maintaining your health and well-being.

What are the consequences of OCD and Alcohol Interacting?

There are a few different ways that OCD and alcoholism can interact with each other, and each one comes with its own set of consequences.

If someone with OCD is also struggling with alcoholism, they may find that their compulsions become more intense and/or frequent when they are under the influence of alcohol. This can lead to them engaging in compulsive behaviors more often, which can in turn lead to negative consequences like job loss, financial problems, and social isolation.

Alcoholism can also worsen the symptoms of OCD, making them more difficult to manage. This can lead to a decrease in quality of life and an increased risk of developing other mental health disorders.

So how are these treated in conjunction?

There are a few different ways to get help if you suffer from OCD and alcoholism. You can see a therapist who specializes in treating OCD, you can go to an OCD support group, you can call a helpline like the National Helpline for Mental Health, or you can come to a facility like ours which treat the diseases in conjunction and get to the root of the problem.

If you come to see us, we’ll treat both as inseparable, which they are, as one informs and worsens the other. You can get treatment for alcoholism and OCD all at once, rather than trying to deal with each separately. 

Help for OCD and Alcoholism

If you want to get help for your OCD and alcoholism, the first step is to reach out for help. Call us at (615) 326-6449. We can help you get you life back. 

Overall, OCD and alcoholism interact in a complex way. People with OCD may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism for their anxiety or symptoms of their disorder. On the other hand, people who are already struggling with alcoholism can find that it leads to more severe obsessive-compulsive behaviors down the line. As such, it needs to be treated in conjunction, to get to the root of both problems. 

Give us a call. We can help.