Millions of people in the United States live with mental health conditions and substance use disorder (SUD). Mental health experts refer to living with both conditions as having a dual diagnosis. People with co-occurring disorders require specialized treatment programs to address both conditions at the same time.

This article will explore the relationships between avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) and addiction. You will learn:

  • The symptoms of avoidant personality disorder
  • The connection between AvPD and SUD
  • How to treat avoidant personality disorder and addiction
  • Where to find comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment

If you or someone you love struggles with avoidant personality disorder and addiction, you are not alone. Comprehensive, compassionate mental health and addiction treatment is available at First Step Behavioral Health. Contact our intake specialists to learn more about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.

What is Avoidant Personality Disorder?

Avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) is a mental health condition. It is one of three Cluster C personality disorders. These personality disorders have anxious features.

Generally, personality disorders affect how people think, feel, and behave. They can cause people to have behaviors and thought patterns that don’t align with cultural norms.

AvPD causes feelings of inadequacy in social situations. People with avoidant personality disorder may have an intense fear of rejection. They may have poor social skills, low self-esteem, and excessive sensitivity to criticism.

These symptoms can cause people with AvPD to avoid social situations. When people with AvPD cannot avoid these situations, they may feel intense dread or distress.

Avoidant personality disorder is different from social anxiety disorder (SAD). People with SAD feel intense anxiety that causes them to withdraw from social situations. People with AvPD avoid social situations because of a fear of embarrassment or judgment.

Avoidant personality disorder may respond to treatment, which can include education, lifestyle changes, and talk therapy. People may also benefit from taking prescription medications to manage their anxiety.

Symptoms of AvPD

Avoidant personality disorder can cause symptoms that significantly disrupt a person’s life. People may feel intense distress or alter their daily lives to avoid social situations. The symptoms of AvPD can have a profound impact on a person’s life.

Some symptoms of avoidant personality disorder include:

  • Having a poor self-image
  • Preferring isolation over social situations
  • Interpreting neutral feedback as critical
  • Feeling self-conscious in social situations
  • Experiencing chronic feelings of being inferior or unappealing to others
  • Extreme sensitivity to criticisms
  • Intense fear of criticism or judgment

People with AvPD may avoid social situations where they are unsure of what others will think of them. They may seek excessive validation or reassurance from others before joining a social situation.

The symptoms of AvPD can shape people’s lives in harmful or limiting ways. People may reject jobs that involve working with others. They may have trouble forming and maintaining healthy relationships with others. Many experience intense, ongoing anxiety about others judging or shaming them publicly.

It can be challenging to overcome a personality disorder. However, beginning treatment as soon as you recognize the symptoms can help people manage these conditions.

How are AvPD and Addiction Related?

Research shows that there is a connection between personality disorder and substance abuse. Research from 2012 showed that nearly half of all people (46%) in treatment for SUD also had a personality disorder.

But what is behind this connection?

Mental health experts believe that addiction and AvPD have similar features. Both conditions typically involve shame, guilt, inadequacy, and low self-worth. Many experts believe that the intense emotions associated with AvPD may be overwhelming. Without healthy coping skills to manage these emotions, people with AvPD may turn to drugs and alcohol for relief.

When someone uses addictive substances to relieve emotional pain, experts call this “self-medication.” Self-medicating mental health conditions is not effective and can lead to serious long-term complications, including addiction.

Long periods of substance abuse can lead to tolerance (needing more to get the desired effects) and physical dependence. People with avoidant personality disorder and addiction require specialized treatment programs that address both conditions simultaneously.

Treating Avoidant Personality Disorder and Addiction

Comprehensive dual diagnosis programs provide evidence-based addiction and mental health treatment. A dual-diagnosis treatment plan might include:

  • Behavioral therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy
  • Medically-supported detox programs (medications, supervision, assessment, emotional support, and holistic therapies)
  • Mental health treatment
  • Individual, group, and family therapy
  • Relapse prevention education
  • Coping skills
  • Holistic therapies, like exercise, mindfulness, and nutrition support
  • Aftercare planning and support

People with AvPD may take medications to address their mental health symptoms. Or, they may engage in therapies and holistic care, including lifestyle changes.

Treating avoidant personality disorder and SUD at the same time usually leads to the best outcomes. People with SUD and AvPD can receive the tailored treatment they need in one program. This allows people to address the roots of their substance use and learn to manage their mental health symptoms.

Find Treatment Now

If you or someone you love lives with AvPD and SUD, you are not alone. Find the comprehensive, compassionate treatment you deserve at First Step Behavioral Health. Contact our intake team to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.

References:

  1. National Institute of Health (NIH): Avoidant personality disorder: current insights
  2. NIH: Avoidant Personality Disorder
  3. American Psychological Association (APA): Avoidant Personality Disorder and Social Functioning: A Longitudinal, Observational Study Investigating Predictors of Change in a Clinical Sample
  4. NIH: Comorbidity of Personality Disorder among Substance Use Disorder Patients: A Narrative Review

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