“Are OCD and drug addiction related?”
My friend was addicted to prescription painkillers for several years. He is okay now, but he has started behaving in ways that look to me like OCD. Are OCD and drug addiction related?
8 Answers
It can be. Therapist and psychiatrist could find out a more comprehensive information and provide recommendations and options
He needs treatment for addiction of drugs and also for OCD, Serotonin reuptake inhibiters are helpful.
In his particular situation they may very well be. But, he would need a thorough psychological evaluation to determine if there is a common root. However, OCD ands OC are different and not everybody who show obsessive compulsive behavior is in need for psychotherapy. OCD interferes with functioning but OC improves efficiency,
Not that I'm aware of. But the larger issue is believing it's okay to diagnose your friend with a psychiatric disorder. Unless you're a trained mental health professional, this is hard to do accurately. Instead, you might tell your friend you've noticed a change in behavior and ask if he's okay. Does he think there's a problem? If not, you're maybe best off dropping the whole thing.
About 25% of patients with an addiction diagnosis also meet the criteria for OCD.
Victor M. Santiago-Noa, MD
Victor M. Santiago-Noa, MD
Yes it can be. They both have an addictive personality and are different in cases for sure but similar in other factors.
Dear Asker,
I am not your doctor and the following is not medical advice. This is an interesting question. It is thought there is a strong component of compulsive behavior in addictions, and compulsive behavior is seen also in obsessive compulsive disorder. Addictions do occur in the absence of OCD, so the compulsive drug seeking behavior isn’t as much due to the OCD as it is a result of changes in the brain from the addiction to sustain that new addicted state. Those with mental health disorders are at increased risk for addictive disorders, including those with anxiety disorders like OCD. Thank you for the question.
I am not your doctor and the following is not medical advice. This is an interesting question. It is thought there is a strong component of compulsive behavior in addictions, and compulsive behavior is seen also in obsessive compulsive disorder. Addictions do occur in the absence of OCD, so the compulsive drug seeking behavior isn’t as much due to the OCD as it is a result of changes in the brain from the addiction to sustain that new addicted state. Those with mental health disorders are at increased risk for addictive disorders, including those with anxiety disorders like OCD. Thank you for the question.
This link and associated info will be insightful in answering your question:
https://www.intrusivethoughts.org/?topic=addiction
https://www.intrusivethoughts.org/?topic=addiction
