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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that affects 2.5% of the American population. OCD is characterized as experiencing unwanted or obsessive thoughts and repetitive compulsory actions.
This cycle of obsessions and compulsions differs from typical worry or stress thoughts. To be classified as OCD, the obsessions and compulsions must be so extreme that they interfere with daily life and activities.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the inability to control the consumption of alcohol to the point of addiction and alcoholism. Often, OCD and AUD co-occur.
Common obsessions that people with OCD may experience include:
Common compulsive behaviors that people with OCD may experience include:
Some compulsions aren’t obvious. OCD can only be diagnosed by a medical professional and is unlikely to go away on its own.
Like other mental health disorders, there is a link between OCD and addiction.
Alcohol, and other substances, may provide relief from symptoms related to OCD. Studies show that people with OCD are more likely to abuse substances, including alcohol.1 There are a few reasons why addiction is more likely in people with OCD.
These include:
It may also be that compulsions are linked to impulsive behavior.2 This could explain why addiction rates seem higher for people with OCD. The more impulsive you are, the more likely you might make impulse decisions about substance use.
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Alcohol can negatively impact people with OCD in unique ways. Alcohol can make you feel relaxed, euphoric, and at ease. However, it can also lower inhibitions and increase impulsivity.
People with OCD may find it easier to ignore obsessive thoughts and compulsions that plague them when they’re sober.
However, some experience increased OCD symptoms when the alcohol wears off. This may cause someone to avoid hangovers altogether, resulting in them drinking alcohol again.
The more you drink, the higher your alcohol tolerance gets. The need to drink more to feel the effects of alcohol can lead to an AUD.
To explain why alcohol triggers OCD, you must look at the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is the body’s naturally occurring mood stabilizer.
At healthy and stable levels, serotonin induces feelings of:
At unhealthy levels, the lack of serotonin in the body can produce symptoms, such as:
One study shows that people with OCD have reduced serotonin transmitters, which help carry serotonin to receptors in the brain.3 This means that, although the brain may produce serotonin, there isn’t enough being delivered to the brain.
Similarly, another study showed that people with OCD might be less able to process serotonin.4 So, even when transmitters bring serotonin to the brain, it has a reduced capacity to process and accept it.
Drinking alcohol increases serotonin production in the brain. People who have low levels of serotonin are more likely to develop alcoholism. Therefore, people with OCD are more likely to abuse alcohol.5
It’s very risky to use alcohol if you’re diagnosed with OCD. Some of these risks include:
As mentioned, alcohol increases the production of serotonin in the brain. It also can induce feelings of euphoria and relaxation. These effects can be appealing to someone who struggles with OCD.
Alcohol may allow people with OCD to “turn off” their obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Unfortunately, this relief can feel so good that it becomes addictive.
In addition, OCD is a highly underdiagnosed mental health issue.6 This is partly because many symptoms of OCD are kept private. Due to this, many people with OCD fail to be diagnosed for 10 years or more.
This lack of diagnosis and support may lead people to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.
Both OCD and alcoholism are familial. Therefore, if a person with OCD has a family history of AUDs, the chances of them also coping with alcohol is higher.
Similarly, experiencing early childhood trauma or stress has been linked to OCD and alcohol use.7 Here, alcohol is used to numb or distract a person from internal distress.
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Alcohol use disorders can be spotted if you know what to look for. Some common psychological, behavioral, and physical signs and symptoms of excessive alcohol use are:
For heavy drinkers, withdrawal symptoms after reducing alcohol use can begin as soon as two hours after their last drink.
Symptoms of withdrawal can be intense, including:
Delirium tremens (DTs) is a dangerous, life-threatening withdrawal symptom that can induce confusion, rapid heartbeat, and fever.
If you or someone you know is experiencing DTs, seek emergency help immediately.
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Alcoholism and OCD are both treatable conditions. While a person may never be fully “cured” of either, symptoms and side effects can improve significantly with the proper treatment.
Most healthcare professionals agree that co-occurring disorder treatment is the best way to overcome both conditions. This treatment addresses both OCD and alcoholism together to work towards a full recovery.
Both addiction and OCD can improve with talk therapy and counseling. A therapist or counselor can work with you to better understand your triggers, behavioral motives, and obsessive thoughts.
Counseling can help to address traumas and dark life experiences to overcome them. A therapist can also help you practice healthy coping skills and ways to overcome triggers for both OCD and AUD.
Several medications are used to treat OCD. Clomipramine (Anafranil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft) are some of the most common.
Similarly, there are medications to aid a person in detoxification and withdrawal. For example, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an addiction treatment that helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
The most common drugs to help alcoholics quit drinking are:
Medication can be an essential part of treatment and recovery. However, medications should always be administered by a medical professional.
People don’t go to rehab for OCD. However, rehab is often an important step in alcoholism recovery. You can take many different rehab routes to recover from an AUD.
These include:
If you or someone you know is experiencing co-occurring OCD and alcoholism, consider consulting a professional. There are many treatments and services available to help overcome obsessive thoughts, compulsive actions, and addiction.
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