Dual diagnosis occurs when someone struggles with a mental health disorder like OCD and addiction simultaneously. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may turn to substances to try to cope with compulsive behaviors and intrusive thoughts.1 Read on to learn more about co-occurring disorders, connections between OCD and substance use, and how an integrated treatment approach can help.
If you or a loved one is struggling with co-occurring OCD and addiction, contact Empowered Recovery Center today. Our drug and alcohol rehab in Atlanta can help you manage your OCD symptoms and find long-term stability and sobriety.
What Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where people have unwanted, recurring thoughts or feel compelled to repeat certain behaviors. OCD symptoms can significantly interfere with daily life by disrupting work, school, personal relationships, and other responsibilities.1
Living with OCD is more than just “being neat”. OCD is a serious condition that affects people of all ages.1 Someone experiencing OCD can get stuck in the cycle of unwanted thoughts and repeated actions while attempting to relieve anxiety.1 When a person with OCD tries to ignore obsessions, they keep coming back, driving them to perform certain rituals.1
The cycle of OCD is time-consuming and can cause intense stress.1 People with OCD often have obsessions or compulsions related to specific fears, like germs, religion, or harming themselves or others.1 For example, someone with repeated doubts might constantly wonder if they left the stove on. They would then repeatedly check to ensure it’s off. This ritual would temporarily relieve the stress caused by their obsession.
Signs & Symptoms of OCD
Specific OCD symptoms and signs can differ from person to person. OCD manifests as obsessions and compulsions that cause distress or anxiety.1
An obsession is an unwanted, intrusive image, thought, or urge that persists despite efforts to suppress it.1 Compulsions are repeated behaviors or mental rituals someone performs to prevent a feared outcome or reduce anxiety.1
Some might only experience compulsions and obsessions, while others may experience both. Symptom severity and frequency can also vary.1
Research has also shown differences in OCD symptoms among genders. For example, cleaning and contamination-related symptoms tend to be more common in women, but religious and sex-related symptoms can be more common in men. Despite individual differences, some obsessions and compulsions are consistently seen in OCD:1
- Contamination
- Aggressive impulses
- Need for order
- Sexual imagery
- Repeated doubts
- Religious
- Cleaning
- Checking
- Mental acts
- Ordering
- Repetitive actions
- Reassurance seeking
- Hoarding
How OCD & Addiction Are Connected
Addiction and OCD both involve compulsive behaviors driven by strong urges. The anxiety caused by OCD can lead people to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.1 For example, someone with OCD might attempt to cope with the distress of their thoughts with alcohol use or benzodiazepines.
While substances may temporarily relieve OCD symptoms, self-medicating with drugs or alcohol promotes an increased risk for dependency or addiction over time. Without professional treatment, this cycle can continue and worsen both conditions. Integrated treatment for OCD and substance use is often the most effective approach.1
Co-occurring OCD and substance use can create challenges in daily life, affecting work, school, relationships, and overall wellness.1 People may experience increased compulsive behaviors, heightened anxiety, or social withdrawal while trying to manage both conditions on their own. Professional treatment provides ongoing support to help patients overcome self-medicating and develop healthy coping strategies to address both conditions.
Signs of Co-Occurring OCD & Substance Use
Although specific experiences of OCD and substance use can vary, certain patterns suggest that both issues are happening at the same time. People may also have overlapping symptoms, consistent with addiction and OCD, that are more severe and resistant to treatment than having either disorder alone.3
Using substances to cope with obsessions and compulsions is a significant sign of co-occurring OCD and substance use disorder.1 Other signs of co-occurring OCD and substance abuse could include:
- Worsening compulsive behaviors during periods of sobriety3
- A greater difficulty in daily social and personal functioning1
- An increased risk of suicidal thoughts1
- Withdrawing from treatment or chronic relapse3
How Is OCD & Addiction Treated?
Behavioral health professionals generally offer integrated treatment for OCD and addiction, including behavioral therapies, medications, and mindfulness interventions.1 Most importantly, practitioners treat both illnesses simultaneously to promote long-term recovery. Focusing on wellness and recovery empowers patients to manage their overall health and well-being.1
Professional OCD and addiction treatment helps patients recognize their triggers and gain healthy coping skills. Exposure and response prevention (ERP), a specialized type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is the leading approach for OCD treatment. This therapy involves gradually exposing the patient to a trigger or feared situation while preventing them from responding by engaging in their typical compulsive behavior.1
Along with ERP, treatment plans often include group and individual therapy, family counseling, and relapse prevention strategies to address both conditions holistically. Patients learn about the connections between OCD and addiction while building healthier coping skills. By combining therapeutic approaches with ongoing support, integrated treatment helps reduce symptoms while providing vital tools to promote lasting recovery.1
Medications for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
People can also manage or treat OCD with medications. Medications can help balance brain chemicals that play a part in mood and behavior, especially serotonin.2 There are currently five Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications for OCD treatment.1
While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and antidepressants are popular options, SSRIs are considered the preferred choice to treat OCD. Often paired with therapy, these medications can lessen compulsive behaviors, reduce obsessive thoughts, and improve daily functioning.1
Finding the proper medication and dosage often takes time, as recovery looks different for everyone. Some may need to try more than one medication or adjust dosages with the help of a medical professional to find the best fit.1 Here are the most common OCD medications:1
- Fluoxetine
- Fluvoxamine
- Paroxetine
- Sertraline
- Clomipramine (antidepressant)
Treatment for OCD & Addiction in Atlanta
Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta provides a comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment approach, including therapy, medication management, relapse prevention, and ongoing support. Our skilled clinicians offer a personalized treatment plan catered to your unique needs and recovery goals.
We offer several rehab programs to meet you where you are in recovery, including partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and standard outpatient care. You can begin treatment on a schedule that works for you. With our flexible programs, you can receive treatment without compromising on work, school, or family obligations.
Empowered Recovery Center accepts many major insurance plans, both in-network and out-of-network, so the cost of rehab won’t stand in the way of getting the support you need. Our rehab admissions team is always here to help, online or by phone. From using insurance for rehab to how to verify your insurance benefits, they can answer any questions you have. Contact us to learn more about dual diagnosis treatment and start your recovery journey today.
References:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Substance Use Disorders. Retrieved August 18, 2025, from https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma16-4977.pdf
- Mental Health America. (n.d.). Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Retrieved August 18, 2025, from https://screening.mhanational.org/content/selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-ssris/
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Co-Occurring Disorders and Health Conditions. Retrieved August 27, 2025, from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/co-occurring-disorders-health-conditions#health-conditions
Program Links
