Relationship Between Substance Abuse And Panic Attacks
Substance abuse and panic disorder form a risky comorbidity that requires immediate treatment. Read on to learn more.
Substance Abuse And Panic Attacks
Most people try to alleviate panic attack symptoms by consuming substances that create a sense of calm. However, this sense of stability goes away as soon as the substance’s effects fade. Alcohol panic attacks can quickly return much more potent and worse than before.
Many people start to take more of the substance in order to help with increasing symptoms, but over time, they can develop a tolerance to the substances that quickly leads to addiction. This may lead to substance-induced panic attacks or drug-induced anxiety and panic disorder.1
There are many symptoms and disorders that may cause panic attacks, including:
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is a stimulant and a depressant that speeds up the functioning of your brain. Drinking too much alcohol can cause uncontrollable feelings or thoughts of death related to panic attacks.2 An alcohol panic attack may last between five to thirty minutes and can be quite scary, although they aren’t dangerous and should not harm you. Alcohol affects your brain chemistry because it impacts the GABA neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that cause a relaxing effect. Mild amounts of alcohol stimulate GABA and cause feelings of relaxation.
In contrast, heavy drinking depletes GABA, increasing feelings of panic and tension. Quitting alcohol altogether may lead to withdrawal symptoms in the form of panic attacks and other anxiety symptoms.3
Cocaine or Methamphetamine Abuse
Marijuana Abuse
Many people believe that marijuana is harmless. However, it can cause mental health conditions, including panic and anxiety attacks. Though panic attacks don’t affect everyone, long-term use increases the risks of panic disorder symptoms.
Opioid Abuse
Signs Of Panic Attacks
Alcohol can cause panic attacks, and the following are common symptoms of a panic attack setting in:
- Sense of impending doom or danger
- Rapid, pounding heart rate
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or faintness
- Numbness or tingling sensation
- Fear, worry, or panic
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Excessive sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Dry mouth
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle tension
Causes of Panic Attacks or Panic Disorder
Several factors are associated with panic attacks, including:
- Genetics: Some mental conditions like panic disorders run in families. Research does not precisely know how this happens, but they attribute it to several genes that pass down from parents to children.
- Significant Stress: People with anxiety disorders, stress, and depression are at a higher risk of developing panic attacks.
- Temperament: Those that are more sensitive to stress or prone to negative emotions can increase the risks of panic attacks.
- Brain Changes: Changes in the way parts of your brain function may perceive sad or emotional feelings of panic attacks.
- Substance Abuse Problems: Drug addiction and alcoholism increase the risks of panic attacks.
Complications That Panic Attacks May Cause
Panic attacks from drugs cause several complications, like:
- Developing specific phobias like fear of leaving home alone or driving
- Frequent medical care for medical conditions
- Avoidance of social situations
- Heightened risks of suicidal thoughts
- Financial problems
Impacts Of Substance Abuse On Panic Disorder Symptoms
Using certain substances in the presence of panic disorders is risky because it heightens the effects of those panic disorders. Different substances affect symptoms of panic disorders in the following ways:
Panic Disorder and Alcohol
Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol stimulates the GABA receptors and induces feelings of relaxation. However, heavy drinking depletes GABA, elevating panic attacks and tension.
Panic Disorder and Marijuana
Marijuana has potentially dangerous side effects for people battling panic disorders because it:
- Increases heart rate
- Causes looping or racing thoughts
- Causes short-term memory problems, or problems concentrating
- Leads to irritability or mood changes
- Can cause paranoia, hallucinations, and other psychosis symptoms
- Causes brain fog, or a “numb” state
- Decreases motivation
- Creates difficulty sleeping
Panic Disorder and Stimulants
Stimulants like nicotine, caffeine, ecstasy, and others have damaging effects on individuals with panic disorders. Stimulants increase feelings of anxiety and change how your body mimics panic attacks. Be careful if you take stimulants and already have symptoms of panic disorders.
Treatment For Panic Disorder And Addiction
Treating dual diagnosis is not as simple as treating substance abuse or panic disorder alone. Your doctor has to diagnose you before advising on the best panic disorder recovery plan. These plans can include medically supervised detox, which allows you to safely abstain from substance or alcohol usage under medical supervision.
These treatments can also include counseling, as talk therapy helps you to understand what causes these panic attacks and can teach you how to manage them.6
Medication-Assisted Treatment and Other Options
Medication-assisted treatment allows you to take safe medications that will help mitigate withdrawal symptoms and helps to make sure you don’t relapse.7
Lastly, group and family therapy allow you to discuss with others – including your family – what may be going on and learn how to cope with your disorders with support and understanding from others.
Below are some additional tips to alleviate panic and anxiety.
Calm Your Breathing
Breathing exercises boost oxygen intake and carbon dioxide expulsion, leading to a relaxed and calm mind. Take a break when you feel anxious and deeply breathe in and out between time intervals until you feel comfortable.
Relax Your Muscles
When anxious, your muscles are strained and tense, making it challenging to manage your anxiety. Relaxing your muscles will reduce your anxiety levels.
Think Realistically
Panic attacks are associated with racing thoughts and rapid heartbeats. Take time and get to a quiet environment and clear your thoughts. Practice meditation and mindfulness to find balance, be calm, and relax.
Resources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/medgen/4405
- https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Depressants-2020.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2689328/
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html
- https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids
- https://medlineplus.gov/dualdiagnosis.html
- https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/MH/sud/MedicationsForTheTreatmentOfAlcoholUseDisorderBrochure92816.pdf
Questions About Treatment?
We are a patient-first substance abuse and mental health treatment facility located in Los Angeles, California. At Essence Healthcare, we provide different levels of care from detoxification to drug rehab aftercare. Our team is standing by to address your questions. Your call is confidential and no obligation is required.
