It’s common for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and addiction to occur together. In fact, in one study of over 38,000 veterans with OCD, 36.7% were found to have a substance use disorder. Fortunately, both of these conditions can be treated.
Many people with OCD are told that they need to “fix” their mental health before addressing substance use. At Groups, we know this doesn’t have to be an either/or decision. Our integrated treatment can address both conditions together because they often connect with one another. For instance, people with OCD may use substances to self-medicate, manage compulsions, or ease anxiety. This can create a cycle that may make recovery more difficult, but change is still possible. The most effective treatments take care of the whole person, not just one condition at a time. That’s why we offer group therapy, medication, care planning, and help with meeting life goals outside of recovery. Together, these provide comprehensive treatment.
Knowing how OCD and addiction overlap can help you discover how to address both effectively. Here’s what you need to know.
5 ways OCD and addiction intersect
Many people don’t know how closely OCD and addiction connect with each other until symptoms begin affecting their daily life. Obsessions, compulsions, and stress can wear you down over time, and substance use may bring some temporary relief. Due to this interaction, co-occurring OCD and addiction can make recovery more complicated.
The gold standard treatment for OCD is exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, which can be combined with medication. Receiving this treatment alongside support groups can provide shared experiences, connection, and coping strategies. If you’re interested in exploring ERP, Groups can help you find this treatment option.
Fortunately, the right support helps make recovery possible for both conditions. Many biological and behavioral factors play a role in how OCD and addiction start and continue over time.
Below are five common ways these conditions intersect:
1. Shared genetic predispositions
Research suggests that some people may inherit a higher risk for both OCD and addiction from their families of origin. This doesn’t mean that you’re destined to develop both conditions if they run in your family. It just means that there’s a chance of experiencing both.
Knowing this can help you be proactive. And while no one is to “blame” for substance use or mental health issues, understanding where they can stem from can help reduce feelings of shame and blame. Biology playing a role also reinforces the fact that these are treatable conditions.
2. Self-medication
Sometimes people with OCD use substances as a way to cope with stress or challenging situations. Alcohol, cannabis, or other substances may temporarily relieve anxiety, but they do not address the underlying OCD. For instance, someone might have a drink to ease obsessive thoughts. But when the effects of alcohol wear off, the anxiety may return stronger than it was before.
Over time, self-medication can lead to a pattern of dependence and addiction. This cycle can make symptoms worse and increase the risk of returning to use.
3. Anxiety management
OCD usually leads to intense anxiety. People may have intrusive thoughts or feel compelled to do certain behaviors to calm distress. Some people use substances to manage these feelings, looking for temporary relief from fear, panic, or worry.
While it might seem helpful at first, relying on substances can lead to dependence and make it harder to reduce anxiety safely. Group therapy, coping strategies, and medication, if needed, can work together to make a difference in recovery. This type of integrated treatment may teach you to manage anxiety in a healthier way, addressing both OCD and addiction.
4. Compulsive behaviors
OCD is characterized by compulsions. These are repetitive behaviors that are difficult to control. They are a response to obsessive thoughts. When addiction is present, compulsive substance use can become another repetitive behavior that may be hard to stop or reduce.
For example, some people have a compulsion to check things repeatedly or ruminate on a specific thought. They may also feel an urge to use a substance to cope with the resulting anxiety. This overlap can lead to continuing unhealthy patterns and may make recovery more difficult. An effective treatment can identify these cycles and their underlying triggers. During this process, you can learn how to replace these patterns with healthier habits.
5. Impulsivity
Even though OCD is usually associated with careful, repetitive behaviors, it can also involve impulsivity, especially when it’s combined with addiction. People may respond quickly to urges to use substances without thinking about the consequences. This may happen while trying to follow treatment routines or manage OCD behaviors.
Impulsivity might lead to a return to substance use for some people, but treatment may make a difference. Therapy can help people recognize triggers, pause before acting, and respond in a healthier way. Learning how to manage impulses can strengthen recovery and help people gain control over both conditions.
What does this mean for recovery?
Knowing how OCD and addiction intersect can help you make recovery more achievable. If treatment addresses just one condition, the other may get in the way of you making progress. Integrated care treats the whole person. It can give you the tools to help you manage anxiety and compulsions. This can lead to breaking cycles of substance use.
When both conditions are treated together, people usually notice improvements in different parts of their lives. Reducing OCD symptoms can lower stress and lessen the urge to use substances. Addressing addiction can help make it easier to handle intrusive thoughts and compulsions. An integrated treatment can shed light on patterns you may not be able to see on your own, helping you gain more control.
Recovery may feel challenging at times, but knowing how these conditions affect each other can help you in many ways. You can expect challenges and develop coping skills to overcome them without returning to use. Progress in one area, like managing OCD symptoms, may help make progress in another, such as reducing or discontinuing substance use.
How Groups treats OCD and addiction together
At Groups, we know that integrated treatment can be highly effective. We offer virtual and in-person group therapy, medication, and personalized care planning to help with your goals. Treatment can be tailored to meet your needs, helping you address OCD and addiction at the same time.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a core part of our approach. This type of treatment can help you understand and change thought and behavior patterns to improve your well-being. CBT can be done individually, in groups, in person, or online. Research has shown that online therapy can help with mild to moderate OCD. Through CBT, you can learn to manage your triggers, resist compulsive behaviors, and build healthier habits to manage stress.
Find support for OCD and addiction at Groups
OCD and addiction can connect in many ways, creating challenges that may make recovery feel overwhelming. Both conditions are treatable. You also never have to choose which one to treat first. An integrated treatment can help address both conditions together to improve your well-being. Now that you know how OCD and addiction can intersect, you have a better idea of how recovery can help.
If your thoughts, behaviors, or substance use are interfering with your daily life, it may be time to consider treatment. Finding support early can lead to better outcomes and help you regain control. At Groups, we offer integrated care for both OCD and addiction, and recovery is possible. To get started, you can reach out to us at any time.
Have questions about your treatment options? Our Recovery Support Coordinators are here to help. Call 888-858-1723 for more information. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups does not offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
