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Comorbidity of Anxiety Disorders and Substance Use

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Co-occurring Addictive and Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract

Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder with and without agoraphobia, social phobia, and specific phobias are frequently associated with substance use disorders. Since anxiety symptoms may occur as a consequence of withdrawal from drugs such as alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines or as a result of intoxication, the differential diagnosis between substance-induced anxiety disorders and comorbid psychiatric disorders can be difficult. Epidemiologic studies indicate a two to threefold increased risk for alcohol use disorders in patients with anxiety disorders; specifically, the prevalence of alcohol dependence but not abuse is increased. The increased risk for substance use can be explained only in part by self-medication or tension reduction. The best option for the treatment of comorbid patients might be standard treatment for substance use plus cognitive–behavioral therapy.

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Abbreviations

CBT:

Cognitive–behavioral therapy

GAD:

Generalized anxiety disorder

OR:

Odds ratio

PD:

Panic disorder

PTSD:

Posttraumatic stress disorder

SAD:

Social anxiety disorder

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany

    Michael Soyka

  2. Private Hospital Meiringen Willigen, Meiringen, Switzerland

    Michael Soyka

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  1. Michael Soyka
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Correspondence to Michael Soyka .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Collaborative Psychiatric Research Institute, Antwerp University PC Alexian Brothers Boechout, Boechout, Belgium

    Geert Dom

  2. Clinical Psychological Service and Department, University Hospital of Psychiatry & University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Franz Moggi

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Soyka, M. (2015). Comorbidity of Anxiety Disorders and Substance Use. In: Dom, G., Moggi, F. (eds) Co-occurring Addictive and Psychiatric Disorders. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45375-5_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45375-5_11

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