Can You Treat Avoidant Personality Disorder and Substance Abuse?

Personality disorders are marked by a how a person experiences the world around them and their patterns of thoughts and behaviors. People with personality disorders tend to have very rigid ways of viewing the people and situations around them, and they tend to experience conflict and distress because of their worldview.

Personality disorders typically begin in adolescence and remain stable over time. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that personality disorders occur at an overall rate of about 9.1 percent in the United States.

Avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) is characterized by an avoidance of interacting with other people due to fear of criticism or rejection. People with this condition will avoid developing close relationships with others because of an intense fear of shame. They may be concerned about being judged to the point that they limit their interactions with others and may have low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy. Those with avoidant personality disorder may also be reluctant to engage in activities or take risks due to fear of failure or embarrassment, per the American Psychiatric Association. This can lead to ongoing and persistent distress due to the lack of quality relationships in their life.

Avoidant Personality Disorder and Substance Abuse

Due to the persistent loneliness and feelings of shame associated with avoidant personality disorder, some people may self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. A study from Psychology Research and Behavior Management notes that avoidant personality disorder occurs often with depression and substance abuse. It is also a risk factor for increased levels of suicidal ideation and attempts.

People with avoidant personality disorder may choose to drink or use alone as a way to get relief from the distress of their fears temporarily. Alcohol is a common drug of choice for many people who may find that drinking temporarily alleviates that distress associated with their personality disorder.

Unfortunately, substance misuse may make the symptoms of avoidant personality disorder worse, as guilt and shame associated with their use increase fear of being judged or shamed by others. This becomes more problematic as symptoms of withdrawal may manifest in symptoms that mimic ACPD, such as increased anxiety, sweating, nausea, and headaches.

Research from BMC Psychiatry has found that people with co-occurring substance use disorders and personality disorders tended to be younger when they first sought inpatient treatment, used more illicit drugs, had more anxiety disorders and depressive symptoms, and had less engagement in work or school. This discovery highlights the need to identify and address the needs of people with co-occurring personality disorders and substance abuse, as early intervention may prevent further escalation of problems.

If left untreated, the risks may increase as people age. Research from the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry found that avoidant personality traits were associated with an increased risk of death by suicide in older adults. This study also found that older suicide victims were less likely to be open to experiences than younger victims, suggesting that as people age, they may become less receptive to interventions. Sadly, this may also mean that people have suffered throughout their life with symptoms that caused distress but were unable to access the appropriate treatment.

It’s important to understand how substance abuse and avoidant personality disorder interact in order to know how to effectively treat the conditions together. For some people, their escalating misuse of alcohol or drugs may have contributed to their loss of interest in social interactions and fear of embarrassment or shame. For others, they may have had an avoidant personality disorder prior to developing a substance use disorder, which may have escalated as they self-medicated to relieve the fear associated with their personality disorder. In this slight difference in the course of the dual diagnoses, two people with similar struggles may need a different approach to treatment because of how their symptoms developed.

That being said, the consensus among professionals is that co-occurring disorders should be treated simultaneously. Both disorders should be treated at the same time for the best chances of recovery on all fronts.

Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders

Some people assert that personality disorders cannot be treated, yet many people with personality disorders come into contact with mental health providers seeking relief from their symptoms. It is important to understand how mental health impacts a person’s use of alcohol or drugs when building a plan to confront these co-occurring disorders. A treatment team may offer individual therapy, group therapy, or medication management in order to help clients process their fears in a safe environment and develop more resilience in social interactions.

Depending on the level of impairment and which substances a person may have been using, their doctor may utilize a medication protocol to manage the symptoms of withdrawal through medical detox. It is important for a doctor to assess the need for a medical detox protocol because people have individual risk factors that need to be considered when attempting to withdraw from substance dependence. Other therapeutic treatment approaches could include:

When seeking treatment for avoidant personality disorder, you may want to build the confidence to have a healthy intimate relationship with a partner or feel more confident when you interact with others in social situations. You may also want to learn how your substance use has impacted your ability to develop the relationships you really want and your ability to attain other goals. Treatment for avoidant personality disorder may include developing self-esteem and communication skills in order to build confidence in your ability to interact successfully with others.

If you struggle with avoidant personality disorder and co-occurring substance abuse, it’s important to know that help is available. While asking for help may be difficult, there are professionals with experience in helping people with avoidant personality disorders overcome their fears and break free from patterns of addiction. Although everyone has a unique journey toward recovery, with the right support and treatment plan, people can see an improvement in their symptoms and learn to take control of their lives.

For more information on personality disorders, visit the nonprofit Personality Disorders Awareness Network. For help finding treatment for co-occurring disorders, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.