Anger Management and Addiction Recovery

Anger management problems and substance use disorders often appear together. The reasons for this are nuanced and may differ from person to person.¹ Many people in addiction treatment benefit from therapy to manage anger issues.

This page will explore the connection between anger, its related behaviors, and addiction. And it may help you find a starting place for anger management and addiction recovery.

The Connection Between Anger and Addiction

The use of substances can influence anger and aggressive behavior through a variety of mechanisms. Substance use disorders (SUDs) may be connected to aggressive behavior due to the , or the indirect influence through social context while engaging in substance use and potential exposure to violence.¹

Conversely, some people may misuse substances to self-medicate when under extreme emotional distress, exacerbating mental health conditions in the long run.²

Therapy for Anger Management and Addiction

Evidence-based therapies are available to manage anger and recover from addiction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common therapy for addiction that is used successfully in both addiction and anger management.⁷

One of CBT’s main components is learning to anticipate problems and strengthen self-control by developing coping strategies.⁸ Examples of cognitive skills and strategies developed through CBT include:⁸

• Self-monitoring to detect cravings early.
• Recognizing and avoiding situations that increase the risk of substance use.
• Ways of coping with cravings such as exploring both positive and negative consequences of substance use.

CBT works to treat anger problems through:⁷

• Relaxation training, which aims at the emotional and physiological aspects of anger.
• Cognitive skill development. Cognitive skill development creates an awareness of anger cues or other situations that may quickly escalate, maladaptive beliefs, and thinking patterns that stir up anger.
• Communication skill development, which helps patients resolve conflicts and develop healthy assertiveness.
• Combined interventions: Combined interventions target multiple unhealthy responses by integrating two or more CBT techniques.

Treatment for Anger and Addiction at Laguna

Laguna Treatment Center is an inpatient rehab facility in Orange County, CA, that offers anger management as part of group therapy. If you or a loved one need help, call to start addiction treatment or learn more about the various addiction treatment levels and therapy modalities.

Other types of drug and alcohol therapy provided at Laguna include motivational interviewing, contingency management, community reinforcement, family therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and more.

Admissions navigators can also answer your questions on how to pay for addiction treatment, such as paying for rehab with health insurance, what to expect in treatment, and more. Check your insurance coverage at Laguna using the confidential .