Addiction treatment helps put a stop to substance use, but that’s not all it can achieve. People often use substances to cope with other mental health challenges like avoidant personality disorder. Treatment can provide support and stability in all areas related to mental health.
The Bluffs is an inpatient addiction treatment center that offers support for co-occurring mental health conditions. Give us a call at 850.374.5331 today to learn more about getting help for addiction and other mental health concerns at The Bluffs.
What Is Avoidant Personality Disorder?
Avoidant personality disorder is one of several clinically diagnosable personality disorders. Some mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety, can be triggered by external events, with symptoms that begin to come on at identifiable points in time.
Personality disorders tend to begin in childhood or early adulthood, and they are usually viewed as being caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Avoidant personality disorder is a mental health condition indicated by a strong desire to avoid interactions with other people. Usually, this is due to fear of rejection or criticism.
A person with avoidant personality disorder may experience heightened sensitivity, which can lead to feelings of extreme shame or embarrassment when they feel they’re being judged by others.
Avoidant Personality Disorder and Substance Abuse Are Connected
Someone diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder experiences the world around them differently than other people. They may find it harder to feel a sense of belonging or normalcy and turn to substance use as a coping mechanism.
Avoidant personality disorder and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand because substances can help to numb or distract from feelings of loneliness, shame, and fear.
Using drugs or alcohol to deal with a physical or mental health concern is termed “self-medicating.” This is a common practice that can lead to the development of substance use disorders.
Although substance use may provide a momentary sense of relief, using substances only harms a person’s health. Over time, substances also tend to worsen the symptoms of avoidant personality disorder.
Treating Avoidant Personality Disorder
Letting avoidant personality disorder go untreated is a mistake. Outcomes can include a heightened risk of suicide, a greater likelihood of developing a substance use disorder, and a generally lower quality of life.
There’s no “cure” for avoidant personality disorder or substance use disorder, but mental health professionals can help patients:
- Build awareness of personal patterns
- Identify and plan for triggers
- Develop skills for coping with intrusive thoughts and feelings
- Teach skills for building healthy relationships
Treatment methods are similar for both conditions. At the right treatment center, an addiction treatment program can easily accommodate additional mental health concerns like avoidant personality disorder.
Find Healing at The Bluffs
Mental health professionals know how to provide support for patients with an avoidant personality disorder. It’s possible to learn how to observe and process thoughts and feelings in a way that reduces fear and shame and supports a positive mental state.
The Bluffs offers inpatient care for both substance abuse and co-occurring mental health concerns, including avoidant personality disorder.
Our dual-diagnosis treatment model works with you to identify the unique ways in which avoidant personality disorder impacts your well-being. We then create an individualized treatment plan designed to help with the specific challenges you face.
If you or a loved one is using substances to self-medicate for avoidant personality disorder, treatment at The Bluffs can give you the tools to overcome substance use and learn how to successfully navigate life with a personality disorder.
Call 850.374.5331 today for more information on how to change your mental health for the better at The Bluffs.
