Individuals with agoraphobia often find it challenging to engage in treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) or dual diagnosis. Rehabilitation programs require clients to engage with peers and put their trust in clinicians. Some people with anxiety-related disorders find it difficult to feel comfortable in social situations. Agoraphobia impacts how people think about themselves, other people, and social situations. Driftwood Recovery provides a safe and welcoming space where clients feel comfortable healing alongside peers who share similar life experiences. We treat agoraphobia and SUD using integrative care and evidence-based therapies.
What Is Agoraphobia?
Individuals with agoraphobia have an intense, visceral fear of being in a physical location or social situation where they may feel trapped or helpless. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “An estimated 1.3% of U.S. adults experience agoraphobia at some time in their lives.” People with agoraphobia are often afraid of embarrassing themselves in front of others, leading them to withdraw and avoid most social interactions. The symptoms of agoraphobia make it challenging for some people to accomplish life goals, including joining the workforce and maintaining healthy relationships. Driftwood Recovery helps clients manage agoraphobia and heal from the effects of substance abuse using psychotherapy and other tools.
Signs and Symptoms of Agoraphobia and Panic Disorder
Some people with agoraphobia have additional mental health issues, including panic disorder or SUD. A few of the most common signs and symptoms of agoraphobia include:
- Avoiding people or situations that may cause panic
- Fear of spending time alone
- Panic attacks, including physical symptoms like dizziness, difficulty breathing, and muscle tremors
- Fear of going out in public
- Anxiety when outside of familiar environments
- Depressive episodes
- Low self-esteem and self-confidence
Social events cause a great deal of emotional distress. Studies have shown that agoraphobia “is characterized by the fear that a panic attack or panic-like symptoms may occur in these situations.” Individuals diagnosed with panic disorder have a higher risk of experiencing agoraphobia.
How Agoraphobia Affects Quality of Life and Functioning
People with agoraphobia often find it difficult to function outside of familiar environments. Public spaces and social situations may cause extreme panic and severely affect their quality of life. Some individuals have difficulty acquiring or maintaining employment, while others may struggle to develop healthy social connections with peers, colleagues, or loved ones.
A few of the ways agoraphobia may affect quality of life include:
- Social isolation
- Limited independence
- Persistent anxiety and emotional distress
- Financial strain or instability
- Barriers to medical care
Driftwood Recovery helps clients improve their overall health and wellness by providing healthy strategies for managing stress triggers.
The Connection Between Agoraphobia and Major Depressive Disorder
Individuals with agoraphobia have a higher risk of experiencing major depressive disorder (MDD). Social isolation, loneliness, chronic anxiety, and limited independence affect a person’s mood and ability to manage stress. MDD often worsens the symptoms of co-occurring agoraphobia and SUD. We address all factors impacting a client’s ability to establish and maintain sobriety, including multiple co-occurring mental health conditions. Our rehabilitation and community integration programs support client recovery by offering prescription medications, evidence-based therapies, and holistic treatments to individuals with complex dual diagnoses.
Identifying the Causes and Risk Factors for Agoraphobia
Some people may have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with anxiety-related mental health disorders, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias.
Many risk factors determine who has the potential to develop agoraphobia, including:
- Genetic and environmental factors
- Substance abuse
- Mental health disorders
- Family history of substance abuse or mental health disorders
- Witnessing or experiencing traumatic events
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- Medical conditions
Most people diagnosed with agoraphobia have multiple factors affecting their mental health and ability to manage stress. Treatment programs build confidence and give clients the tools to address these factors in a healthy way.
Effective Therapeutic Approaches for Treating Agoraphobia
Some of the most effective therapeutic approaches and treatments for addressing agoraphobia include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Exposure therapy
- Prescription medication to manage anxiety and other symptoms
Exposure therapy and other modalities desensitize clients to triggers and help alleviate fears related to going out in public and engaging in social activities. The welcoming community and safe spaces at Driftwood Recovery make it ideal for establishing and practicing coping strategies learned in therapy.
Medication and Agoraphobia: What You Should Know
Clinicians may use antidepressants and benzodiazepines to treat agoraphobia and co-occurring conditions. Individuals with substance use disorder must be mindful of how medications could impact their recovery. Our team of addiction recovery and mental health experts use comprehensive assessments and screening tools to determine if clients may benefit from medications for their condition.
Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders: Substance Use and Anxiety
Most people with co-occurring SUD and mental health disorders experience a significant amount of anxiety in their day-to-day lives. We address co-occurring disorders using a range of evidence-based and holistic modalities. Clients learn to change their thought patterns and behaviors to reduce stress and improve emotion regulation.
Creating a Supportive Environment for Agoraphobia Recovery
Community and family support plays a vital role in recovery for many people with SUD and mental health disorders. We ensure clients and their loved ones have the resources to manage agoraphobia during and after treatment.
Driftwood Recovery creates a supportive environment for recovery by offering clients access to the following:
- Personalized treatment plans
- Aftercare support and alumni services
- Various therapeutic approaches
- A safe and calming environment
- Supportive group therapy
- Gradual exposure techniques to reduce anxiety
- Medication management
Comprehensive treatment plans for agoraphobia and dual diagnosis help create a supportive and empowering environment for client healing and growth.
How Driftwood Recovery’s Residential Treatment Center Supports Healing
Our residential treatment center offers luxury amenities and innovative treatment plans. Clients have access to 24/7 support services. The highly structured programs help individuals with agoraphobia feel more at ease during rehabilitation. We encourage clients to build connections with peers and uplift one another during treatment. Individuals with high levels of anxiety and agoraphobia benefit from learning to establish healthy social skills in a controlled environment.
Coping Strategies and Self-Help Techniques for Agoraphobia
Clients living with agoraphobia often find it challenging to participate in group events and make necessary lifestyle changes. Fear, helplessness, and anxiety about failure or potential embarrassment can stop people from getting the help they need.
We teach clients essential coping strategies and self-help techniques for overcoming these barriers to treatment, including:
- Gradual exposure
- Breathing exercises
- Mindfulness exercises
- Meditation
- Positive self-talk
- Relaxation exercises
- Setting achievable and realistic goals
We collaborate closely with clients to help them determine which approach to symptom management will provide the best outcomes and greatest emotional support.
Tips for Reducing Anxiety and Panic Attacks During Rehabilitation
Many people with agoraphobia struggle to manage panic and anxiety attacks. A few practical tips for reducing stress during addiction treatment include:
- Taking frequent breaks
- Remaining open to therapy
- Limiting exposure to triggers
- Practicing mindfulness
- Eating nutritious, balanced meals
- Getting quality sleep each night
- Establishing a daily routine
- Limiting negative media consumption
Creating healthy lifestyle changes reduces the risk of relapse, improves the effectiveness of therapy, and decreases anxiety.
Holistic Approaches at Driftwood Recovery: Exercise, Meditation, and Lifestyle Adjustments
Our luxury accommodations make it easy for clients to create healthy new routines. We have dedicated exercise areas, meditation sessions, and holistic therapies to help clients relax and reduce stress. Individuals with agoraphobia make lifestyle changes more quickly if they experience less stress during periods of transition. Driftwood Recovery offers a full continuum of care, including residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, and community integration programs. Individuals with agoraphobia can take their recovery at a pace that works for them and allows them to make steady progress without causing emotional distress.
If left untreated, agoraphobia can have a devastating effect on a person’s life and their ability to function. Driftwood Recovery helps clients thrive and manage symptoms of agoraphobia during treatment for substance abuse. To learn more about our services, call us today at. (512) 759-8330.
Contact us
Break the cycle of suffering through surrender.
Contact Driftwood Recovery today to get more information or schedule a tour.