You drink alcohol to let go of the daily stress. It helps you relax, quiets anxious thoughts, and makes things feel easier, at least for a while.
You do this for a week. Then a month. You start needing more alcohol to get the same relief. The anxiety that alcohol once numbed now feels stronger when you’re sober. You feel restless, irritable, and on edge. Sleep is harder. Your mind races. The stress you tried to escape has only gotten worse.
Now, drinking doesn’t feel like a choice. It feels like something you need. You tell yourself you can stop whenever you want. But the moment you try, the anxiety spikes, and the cravings start. So, you drink again.
If this cycle feels familiar, you are not alone. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), nearly 1 in 5 people with an anxiety disorder (AnxDs) also struggle with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), or vice versa.
The only way to break free from this cycle is to treat both alcohol addiction and anxiety at the same time. Dual diagnosis treatment does exactly that. It combines medical detox, behavioral therapy, medication, and long-term support, helping you regain control over your mental health and build a stable, sober life.
Nirvana Recovery is one of the best alcohol rehab centers in Arizona for dual diagnosis care. We are licensed by ADHS and accredited by CARF. Our team of doctors, therapists, and addiction experts treats both alcohol use and anxiety disorders with evidence-based therapy, medical detox, and long-term care.
Verify your insurance for dual diagnosis treatment at Nirvana Recovery. Or, schedule a free consultation with our team to get your custom integrated treatment plan.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Alcohol and Anxiety Disorder
If you quit alcohol but don’t address anxiety, relapse is likely.
If you treat anxiety but keep drinking, alcohol will continue fueling anxiety.
Dual diagnosis, the medical and psychological treatment, breaks the cycle. It includes-
Medical detox to manage alcohol withdrawal
Therapy to develop healthy coping strategies
Medication to stabilize brain chemistry
By treating both disorders at the same time, dual diagnosis treatment reduces-
Relapse risk
Improves mental health
Helps individuals build a stable, sober life
Approaches in Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Alcohol and Anxiety Disorder
Dual diagnosis treatment combines multiple medical, psychological, and behavioral strategies to ensure AUD and anxiety disorder are treated together. Here are the key treatment approaches used in dual diagnosis care:
1 - Comprehensive Assessment
Dual diagnosis treatment starts with a full evaluation to determine:
Prevents complications like panic attacks, seizures, or dehydration
Provides medical and emotional support during the toughest stage of quitting.
Once detox is complete, long-term dual-diagnosis treatment begins.
3 - Therapy for Alcohol Addiction and Anxiety
Detox cleanses the body, but true recovery happens in the mind and emotions. Therapy helps break unhealthy habits, build resilience, and teach addiction-coping skills. Here are the most effective therapy methods used in dual diagnosis treatment:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is widely used to treat both addiction and anxiety. It helps by:
Identifying negative thought patterns that lead to drinking
Teaching healthy coping strategies for stress and anxiety
Developing relapse prevention techniques
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT helps people with strong emotional reactions and includes:
Emotional regulation techniques to handle anxiety in a healthy way
Distress tolerance skills to prevent impulsive drinking
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
MET is helpful for people who feel uncertain about quitting alcohol. It helps by:
Strengthening personal motivation to stay sober
Exploring personal values and recovery goals
Helping individuals build confidence in their ability to change
Exposure Therapy (For Social Anxiety & PTSD)
For those who drink to cope with social anxiety or past trauma, exposure therapy helps by:
Gradually introducing feared situations in a controlled way
Teaching calming techniques to handle stress without alcohol
4 - Medication for Anxiety and Alcohol Recovery
In some cases, medication-assisted treatment is needed to stabilize brain chemistry, reduce cravings, and manage anxiety symptoms. Depending on individual needs, doctors may prescribe:
Acamprosate – Helps restore brain balance after quitting alcohol.
Disulfiram – Causes unpleasant effects when drinking, discouraging relapse.
Important: Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium) are typically avoided in people with AUD due to high addiction risk.
5 - Aftercare and Relapse Prevention
True recovery isn’t just about quitting alcohol. It’s about learning how to stay sober and manage anxiety for life. That’s why ongoing care is essential. Effective aftercare includes:
Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery.
Anxiety management strategies to prevent self-medication.
Family therapy to strengthen support systems.
Lifestyle changes like exercise, mindfulness, and proper nutrition.
Understanding the Link Between Alcohol and Anxiety
Mental health and addiction are significantly connected. Initially, drinking seems to help manage stress, escape overwhelming thoughts, or calm the nerves. It slows brain activity, creating a sense of relaxation. But over time, alcohol worsens anxiety and leads to dependence, trapping people in a cycle that is hard to break.
How Alcohol Affects Anxiety?
Alcohol is a depressant that affects the central nervous system. It increases the effects of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter that makes you feel calm. At the same time, it reduces glutamate, which is responsible for excitability. This is why drinking temporarily relieves anxiety.
However, as alcohol leaves the body:
GABA levels drop, leading to increased anxiety and agitation.
Glutamate spikes, making you feel restless and on edge.
The body releases stress hormones, which trigger panic and worry.
This often leads to a “rebound effect,” where anxiety feels even worse than before drinking.
Why Anxiety Leads to Alcohol Dependence?
Many people start drinking as a way to self-medicate their anxiety symptoms. This is common in individuals with:
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) – Fear of social situations
Panic Disorder – Sudden, intense fear and physical symptoms
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Anxiety triggered by past trauma
Over time, the brain begins to rely on alcohol to feel calm. This leads to:
Increased tolerance – Needing more alcohol to feel the same effect
Withdrawal symptoms – Feeling anxious, shaky, or irritable when not drinking
Dependence – Feeling like you need alcohol to function
Addiction – Losing control over drinking despite its negative effects
How to Start Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Here’s a clear step-by-step guide to help you navigate how to start dual diagnosis treatment.
1. Reach Out to a Dual Diagnosis Rehab Center
The first step is to contact a licensed rehab center that specializes in treating both mental health and addiction. A quality dual diagnosis treatment program, like Nirvana Recovery in Arizona, will start with a simple phone call or online form. From there, a trained counselor will walk you through what to expect.
2. Get a Personalized Assessment
Once you reach out, the next step is a comprehensive assessment. This includes:
Reviewing your alcohol use history
Understanding your anxiety symptoms
Evaluating medical, emotional, and behavioral needs
This helps create a treatment plan built just for you, with the right combination of detox, therapy, medication, and aftercare.
3. Verify Your Insurance or Payment Options
Before starting treatment, the admissions team will help you verify insurance coverage or explore payment options.
4. Begin Detox and Stabilization (If Needed)
If you have moderate to severe alcohol dependence, you may begin with medical detox. This step helps you:
Safely manage withdrawal symptoms
Stabilize physically and emotionally
Prepare for long-term healing
Not everyone needs detox, but if you do, it’s handled by licensed medical professionals in a safe, supportive setting.
5. Enter Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment
After detox (if needed), you begin your full treatment plan, which includes:
Therapy for both addiction and anxiety
Medication (if recommended by your psychiatrist)
Group and individual counseling
Family involvement and support
Daily structure and long-term relapse prevention
Whether you’re in an inpatient program or an intensive outpatient program setting, the goal is the same: treat both conditions together for lasting recovery.
You Don't Have to Do This Alone
At Nirvana Recovery, we know what it takes to treat both alcohol addiction and anxiety. We’re licensed by ADHS and accredited by CARF, and our team of specialists, doctors, therapists, and recovery coaches work together to guide your healing.
Treatment Approaches For Alcohol And Anxiety Disorders
Published On April 9, 2025
Table of Contents
You drink alcohol to let go of the daily stress. It helps you relax, quiets anxious thoughts, and makes things feel easier, at least for a while.
You do this for a week. Then a month. You start needing more alcohol to get the same relief. The anxiety that alcohol once numbed now feels stronger when you’re sober. You feel restless, irritable, and on edge. Sleep is harder. Your mind races. The stress you tried to escape has only gotten worse.
Now, drinking doesn’t feel like a choice. It feels like something you need. You tell yourself you can stop whenever you want. But the moment you try, the anxiety spikes, and the cravings start. So, you drink again.
If this cycle feels familiar, you are not alone. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), nearly 1 in 5 people with an anxiety disorder (AnxDs) also struggle with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), or vice versa.
The only way to break free from this cycle is to treat both alcohol addiction and anxiety at the same time. Dual diagnosis treatment does exactly that. It combines medical detox, behavioral therapy, medication, and long-term support, helping you regain control over your mental health and build a stable, sober life.
Nirvana Recovery is one of the best alcohol rehab centers in Arizona for dual diagnosis care. We are licensed by ADHS and accredited by CARF. Our team of doctors, therapists, and addiction experts treats both alcohol use and anxiety disorders with evidence-based therapy, medical detox, and long-term care.
Verify your insurance for dual diagnosis treatment at Nirvana Recovery. Or, schedule a free consultation with our team to get your custom integrated treatment plan.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Alcohol and Anxiety Disorder
If you struggle with both mental health and addiction, treating only one condition won’t be enough.
Dual diagnosis, the medical and psychological treatment, breaks the cycle. It includes-
By treating both disorders at the same time, dual diagnosis treatment reduces-
Approaches in Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Alcohol and Anxiety Disorder
Dual diagnosis treatment combines multiple medical, psychological, and behavioral strategies to ensure AUD and anxiety disorder are treated together. Here are the key treatment approaches used in dual diagnosis care:
1 - Comprehensive Assessment
Dual diagnosis treatment starts with a full evaluation to determine:
2 - Medical Detox and Stabilization
If you have moderate to severe alcohol dependence, detox may be needed. This process:
Once detox is complete, long-term dual-diagnosis treatment begins.
3 - Therapy for Alcohol Addiction and Anxiety
Detox cleanses the body, but true recovery happens in the mind and emotions. Therapy helps break unhealthy habits, build resilience, and teach addiction-coping skills. Here are the most effective therapy methods used in dual diagnosis treatment:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is widely used to treat both addiction and anxiety. It helps by:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT helps people with strong emotional reactions and includes:
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
MET is helpful for people who feel uncertain about quitting alcohol. It helps by:
Exposure Therapy (For Social Anxiety & PTSD)
For those who drink to cope with social anxiety or past trauma, exposure therapy helps by:
4 - Medication for Anxiety and Alcohol Recovery
In some cases, medication-assisted treatment is needed to stabilize brain chemistry, reduce cravings, and manage anxiety symptoms. Depending on individual needs, doctors may prescribe:
For Anxiety:
For Alcohol Use Disorder:
Important: Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium) are typically avoided in people with AUD due to high addiction risk.
5 - Aftercare and Relapse Prevention
True recovery isn’t just about quitting alcohol. It’s about learning how to stay sober and manage anxiety for life. That’s why ongoing care is essential. Effective aftercare includes:
Understanding the Link Between Alcohol and Anxiety
Mental health and addiction are significantly connected. Initially, drinking seems to help manage stress, escape overwhelming thoughts, or calm the nerves. It slows brain activity, creating a sense of relaxation. But over time, alcohol worsens anxiety and leads to dependence, trapping people in a cycle that is hard to break.
How Alcohol Affects Anxiety?
Alcohol is a depressant that affects the central nervous system. It increases the effects of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter that makes you feel calm. At the same time, it reduces glutamate, which is responsible for excitability. This is why drinking temporarily relieves anxiety.
However, as alcohol leaves the body:
This often leads to a “rebound effect,” where anxiety feels even worse than before drinking.
Why Anxiety Leads to Alcohol Dependence?
Many people start drinking as a way to self-medicate their anxiety symptoms. This is common in individuals with:
Over time, the brain begins to rely on alcohol to feel calm. This leads to:
How to Start Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
Here’s a clear step-by-step guide to help you navigate how to start dual diagnosis treatment.
1. Reach Out to a Dual Diagnosis Rehab Center
The first step is to contact a licensed rehab center that specializes in treating both mental health and addiction. A quality dual diagnosis treatment program, like Nirvana Recovery in Arizona, will start with a simple phone call or online form. From there, a trained counselor will walk you through what to expect.
2. Get a Personalized Assessment
Once you reach out, the next step is a comprehensive assessment. This includes:
This helps create a treatment plan built just for you, with the right combination of detox, therapy, medication, and aftercare.
3. Verify Your Insurance or Payment Options
Before starting treatment, the admissions team will help you verify insurance coverage or explore payment options.
4. Begin Detox and Stabilization (If Needed)
If you have moderate to severe alcohol dependence, you may begin with medical detox. This step helps you:
Not everyone needs detox, but if you do, it’s handled by licensed medical professionals in a safe, supportive setting.
5. Enter Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment
After detox (if needed), you begin your full treatment plan, which includes:
Whether you’re in an inpatient program or an intensive outpatient program setting, the goal is the same: treat both conditions together for lasting recovery.
You Don't Have to Do This Alone
At Nirvana Recovery, we know what it takes to treat both alcohol addiction and anxiety. We’re licensed by ADHS and accredited by CARF, and our team of specialists, doctors, therapists, and recovery coaches work together to guide your healing.
Contact us now to speak with a care coordinator.
Verify your insurance.
Recovery is possible. You’ve made it this far, let our dual diagnosis treatment specialists at Nirvana Recovery help you take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you drink to cope with anxiety, or feel worse when you stop drinking, you may need dual diagnosis care. A professional assessment can confirm it.
Yes. You don’t need to be fully ready to quit. Some therapies help you explore your readiness and build motivation.
Relapse is part of recovery for many people. It doesn’t mean you failed. Your team will help you adjust and move forward.
Not necessarily. In many cases, laws like FMLA can protect your job. Our admissions team can guide you through your options.
Yes. Your privacy is protected by law. Everything you share during treatment stays confidential.