Anger Management and Addiction

Anger management may manifest differently in different people. Broadly speaking, thought difficulties with anger could feel like:

• A fast heartbeat
• Muscle tension
• Tightness in the chest
• Increased body temperature
• Anger-related movements (clenched fists and jaw)

If you are feeling very angry, you could be experiencing:

• Tension
• Feeling nervous or anxious
• Feeling threatened or jealous
• Feeling annoyed or irritable
• Feeling humiliated
• Feeling hateful
• Feeling hyper-focused on a specific situation

A peak in anger that is not fully controlled could lead to a range of specific behaviours, such as:

• Social withdrawal
• Giving people the ‘silent treatment’
• Going awol
• Being verbally aggressive or abusive
• Shouting
• Swearing
• Throwing objects
• Breaking objects
• Physically threatening or hurting someone
• Purposefully hurting yourself

All of these signs and symptoms of intense anger could lead to further emotional – and, at times, risk physical – harm.

Existing in our anger for too long can be challenging. It can lead us to feel disillusioned, discontent and apathetic. When in itself makes us feel depressed and distant from others. This is heightened by the fact that anger is typically a response to internal distress. We could, for example, link our anger to low mood, anxiety, guilt, shame, or loneliness. It is common for individuals struggling with their anger to have experienced:

• traumatic events
• abuse
• substance abuse

Anger can be an unconscious reaction to a range of difficult feelings and factors – it is ‘a common symptom among adults seeking mental health treatment.’ That suggests that anger has a complicated relationship with mental health. Emotional distress can feed into anger management, but it can also work the other way around.

The more we sit in our anger, the more likely we are to seek solace in potentially risky places. This is where we may begin to use alcohol or drugs as a way of managing things. Whilst this may seem successful in the short-term (alcohol may ‘chill’ us out and curb our anger for a little while), this is not sustainable. Relying on substances to ‘mellow’ us or allow us to relax has huge addiction potential. This type of us can quickly spiral into dependency.

Existing in our anger for too long can be challenging. It can lead us to feel disillusioned, discontent and apathetic. When in itself makes us feel depressed and distant from others. This is heightened by the fact that anger is typically a response to internal distress. We could, for example, link our anger to low mood, anxiety, guilt, shame, or loneliness. It is common for individuals struggling with their anger to have experienced:

• traumatic events
• abuse
• substance abuse

Anger can be an unconscious reaction to a range of difficult feelings and factors – it is ‘a common symptom among adults seeking mental health treatment.’ That suggests that anger has a complicated relationship with mental health. Emotional distress can feed into anger management, but it can also work the other way around.

The more we sit in our anger, the more likely we are to seek solace in potentially risky places. This is where we may begin to use alcohol or drugs as a way of managing things. Whilst this may seem successful in the short-term (alcohol may ‘chill’ us out and curb our anger for a little while), this is not sustainable. Relying on substances to ‘mellow’ us or allow us to relax has huge addiction potential. This type of us can quickly spiral into dependency.

What Addictions are Commonly Associated with Anger Management?

Anger management concerns can be linked with substance use disorders, so could be linked with addictions to:

• alcohol
• caffeine
• nicotine
• prescription medications
• recreational drugs

Research found that people engaging with crack, cocaine, and alcohol had particularly high levels of anger.

A secondary difficulty with anger and addiction is that this kind of emotion can act as a barrier to accessing treatment. For example, if you are struggling with anger, you may find yourself being naturally defensive and feel frustrated if someone suggests the need for a change. This could mean that concerned loved ones may find it particularly difficult to communicate their perspective on your situation, which could increase the time it takes for you to enter treatment and risk fracturing relationships. This can, unfortunately, act to feed the addiction cycle. 

Identifying an anger management issue requires an element of self-reflection. The British Association of Anger Management’s ‘anger test’ asks the following questions:

• Do you have a tendency to criticise others?
• Do you keep things in until you explode with rage?
• Do you get upset when others disagree with you?
• When you get angry, do you withdraw socially?
• Do you take your anger out on someone other than the person you’re angry with?
• Are you able to discuss a problem without losing control of your emotions?
• Do you become depressed easily?
• Are you able to satisfy differences with others?
• Do you feel guilty after periods of anger?

Asking yourself these questions can be a useful way to start thinking carefully about the nature of your anger and the impact it may be having on your life.

Whilst it is often linked to underlying factors, the truth is that anger can be controlled. This may involve support from a professional (usually in the form of therapy and medication).

Therapy

There are several forms of therapy that can be used to help you change your relationship with anger. These include:

• Anger management classes
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Counselling

Medication

For some people, anger can be a result of symptoms related to emotional distress that may require medication to be appropriately managed. Common types of medications used in these situations include:

• SSRI Antidepressants
• Sedatives
• Mood stabilisers
• Antipsychotics [10]

Addiction Specific Support

If you are struggling with anger and addiction, the most successful form of support is multidimensional. By blending therapeutic and pharmacological treatments with a structured rehab programme, you can create a bespoke plan to target your emotional, psychological and physical needs.

Struggling with addiction is challenging, but you don’t have to face it by yourself. If you’re dealing with a dual diagnosis, we’re here to support you in overcoming your addiction. Reach out to us today to begin your recovery journey. At UKAT, we are committed to ensuring everyone achieves stable mental health and a future free from substance dependency. Our dedicated team of experts is ready to help you take the first step.