Adjustment disorder is a mental health condition that can develop in response to challenging life events, causing emotional and behavioral symptoms like sadness, anxiety, and social withdrawal.
For some people, these symptoms can feel overwhelming, leading them to seek relief in unhealthy ways, such as substance use. When someone with adjustment disorder starts using drugs or alcohol to cope, the risk of addiction increases and the two conditions can quickly become intertwined.
Understanding adjustment disorder and its connection to addiction can empower those struggling or their loved ones to seek the help they need to find lasting solutions.
What Is Adjustment Disorder?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) says adjustment disorder is a group of symptoms that occur as a reaction to stress that arises when someone has difficulty coping with something like a stressful event or life change.1
These symptoms vary from person to person but typically start within three months of the triggering event and are often more intense than what might be expected in response to the event, causing distress that affects daily functioning.
Subtypes of Adjustment Disorder
The types of adjustment disorders are categorized based on predominant symptoms, which provide insights into the primary emotional or behavioral response to the stressor:2
- Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood: Shown by tearfulness, feelings of sadness, and hopelessness as a predominant response.
- Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety: Manifests through nervousness, excessive worry, jitteriness, or separation anxiety.
- Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood: Combines both depression and anxiety symptoms, resulting in a complex emotional state.
- Adjustment Disorder with Disturbance of Conduct: Shows predominantly behavioral issues, like impulsivity, defiance, or risky actions.
- Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct: Involves both emotional symptoms (such as depression and anxiety) and behavioral disturbances.
- Adjustment Disorder Unspecified: Used for maladaptive responses that do not fit any specific subtype.
Common Triggers of Adjustment Disorder
Adjustment disorder can develop from various life changes or stressors. These triggers for adjustment disorder may include:3
- Death of a loved one
- Divorce or relationship issues
- Life transitions
- Health issues
- Financial stress
Triggers in younger people may differ but can include family conflicts, school stress, or navigating personal identity issues, like sexuality. No single event or life change can predictably lead to adjustment disorder, as everyone’s capacity to cope with stress varies.
Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder
The symptoms people experience with the disorder are intense enough to impact a person’s social, professional, or personal life. These symptoms of adjustment disorder include:3
- Emotional Symptoms: Individuals may feel persistently sad, hopeless, or anxious. Many may cry frequently or withdraw from social interactions.
- Behavioral Symptoms: Some people exhibit defiant or impulsive behaviors, reflecting a struggle to process their emotions.
- Physical Symptoms: Physical signs of stress can include nervousness, skipped heartbeats, trembling, or muscle tension.
To meet the criteria for adjustment disorder, these symptoms must be more intense than expected for the type of event that triggered them and should not be due to another mental health condition. In severe cases, individuals may have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, signaling a need for immediate support.
The Link Between Adjustment Disorder and Addiction
When symptoms of adjustment disorder persist, the emotional toll can feel unbearable. For many, substances like drugs or alcohol seem to offer quick relief, numbing difficult feelings or providing a temporary escape. However, using substances as a coping tool can quickly lead to dependency, as the temporary relief fuels continued use.
Coping Mechanisms and Substance Use
People with adjustment disorder may turn to substances as a means of self-medicating. The sadness, anxiety, or stress associated with adjustment disorder can feel all-consuming, and substances appear to ease these symptoms in the short term. Unfortunately, these coping mechanisms create a pathway to addiction, as the brain starts associating substance use with relief.
Risk Factors for Addiction
Adjustment disorder can increase susceptibility to addiction because of the emotional instability it causes. Since the disorder impairs one’s ability to manage stress, those struggling with it may find that they lack healthy coping skills. This vulnerability, combined with the intense need to alleviate pain, can lead someone down the path of addiction more quickly than those without adjustment disorder.
The Escalating Cycle of Addiction and Adjustment Disorder
The relationship between the two often forms a vicious cycle. When someone uses substances to cope, they might initially feel relief, but the side effects of substance use and the potential for withdrawal symptoms can worsen their emotional state. This often results in an increased reliance on the substance, creating a cycle that is difficult to break without professional intervention.
Importance of Dual Diagnosis in Treatment
Dual diagnosis is a treatment approach designed for individuals who face both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. This integrated approach is critical for people dealing with adjustment disorder and addiction, as it addresses the complex interaction between both conditions. Effective treatment for dual diagnosis considers how each condition influences the other to create a tailored approach that can help break the cycle.
Dual diagnosis treatment from mental health professionals can significantly improve outcomes for people dealing with both adjustment disorder and addiction, by treating the root causes of both issues. This approach may include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps individuals identify and alter thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress and addictive behaviors. By understanding these thought processes, individuals can build healthier coping skills and responses to stress.
- Medication Management: In some cases, medication can help manage symptoms of anxiety or depression associated with adjustment disorder, easing the intensity of these emotions and reducing the need for substances as a coping mechanism.
- Group Therapy and Peer Support: Peer support and group therapy create a safe place for individuals to share their experiences, learn from others, and feel less isolated in their struggles.
Addressing both conditions through dual diagnosis allows for a holistic view of recovery. By managing the emotional symptoms of adjustment disorder and treating the addictive behaviors associated with substance use, dual diagnosis gives individuals the tools they need to work through their issues simultaneously, promoting long-lasting recovery.
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery With Lumina Recovery
Adjustment disorder can be a difficult condition to face, especially when it intensifies emotions to the point where substance use becomes a means of coping. However, understanding this connection and seeking dual diagnosis treatment can make a significant difference in recovery.
Lumina Recovery offers dual diagnosis treatment for mental health issues like anxiety, PTSD, and depression, alongside addiction treatment, providing a balanced approach that addresses the roots of each condition.
Reach out to Lumina Recovery today to begin a path toward lasting healing and well-being from adjustment disorder and addiction.
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