Are People With Anxiety At A Higher Risk Of Substance Abuse?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that individuals with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are twice as likely to suffer from substance abuse issues as the general population.
Individuals struggling with anxiety are at a significant risk of developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol due to the symptoms of the mental illness. As unwanted symptoms develop, individuals who have anxiety may turn to substances to self-medicate and relax, in an attempt to put the taxing symptoms they are experiencing on hold.
What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
Everyone gets anxious sometimes, but if your worries and fears are so constant that they interfere with your ability to function and relax, you may have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).