Positive SpaceAt Clearview OCD Counseling, LLC, we understand that mental health challenges are rarely one-dimensional. If you are struggling with alcohol or substance use, or feel stuck in compulsive behaviors like constant scrolling, gambling, or compulsive shopping — you are not alone. These patterns often develop alongside anxiety, trauma, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and they can feel impossible to untangle on your own.
We specialize in helping individuals make sense of these overlaps—especially when addiction and OCD, PTSD, ADHD, and anxiety show up together. One of the most under-recognized pairings is OCD and addiction—whether that’s alcohol/substance use or behavioral addictions like tech, food, or sex. One study shows up to a 70% overlap between OCD and process or behavioral addictions.
Clearview Founder, Jayme Valdez, LMHC, recently spoke about this important topic on the Fear Less Podcast, where she shared both her professional insights and personal experience navigating OCD and addiction recovery. At Clearview, Jayme also personally trains every clinician to deliver individualized, compassionate care for people facing these complex challenges.
We take a whole-person approach to treatment. That means we don’t just focus on stopping a behavior—we work with you to understand what’s driving it, reduce shame, and build lasting tools for healing and change. Clearview clinicians are knowledgeable about a variety of addiction recovery models including, but not limited to, 12-Steps (AA, NA, etc.), Recovery Dharma, SMART Recovery, Women in Sobriety, and MAT’s (medication-assisted therapies).
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or compulsive behaviors that are interfering with your relationships, career, or well-being, we’re here to help.
The Overlap Between OCD and Addiction
In this podcast interview, Jayme shares current research indicating that about 1 in 4 individuals with OCD also have an alcohol or substance use disorder. Additional studies show that a significant portion of individuals with OCD—upwards of 70% — also struggle with behavioral addictions, including problematic internet use, compulsive eating, or pornography addiction.
While this correlation is clear, the cause-and-effect dynamics are still being explored.
Jayme and the host discuss how addictive behaviors may function as coping mechanisms for those with OCD. Whether through alcohol, drugs, or other behaviors, individuals may try to reduce the intensity of their anxiety and discomfort, quiet intrusive thoughts, or avoid emotional pain—essentially using these behaviors to self-soothe or escape distress. Addictive behaviors can also loop in with OCD rituals and revolve around themes of perfectionism, feeling “just right,” or a sense of “completeness.”
The podcast also highlights how OCD and addiction share cyclical patterns. Both involve an urge or intrusive thought/memory/emotion/body sensation, followed by discomfort, and then a behavior aimed at relief—whether compulsive or impulsive. Research in neuroscience supports the idea that these disorders may involve similar neural (brain) pathways, which helps explain why they frequently co-occur.
Integrated Treatment for OCD and Addiction
Treating these conditions together can be highly effective, especially given their overlapping features. Drawing from both her clinical work and personal recovery experience, Jayme outlined a clear framework for working with clients navigating both OCD and addiction:
- Assessing Priorities
We begin by evaluating safety concerns and then address whichever issue is most significantly impacting the individual’s functioning. This helps establish a focused and intentional treatment plan.
- Emphasizing Harm Reduction & Individually-Tailored Approaches
Recovery goals vary. For some, full abstinence might be the target. For others, reducing the harmful impact of behaviors may be more realistic and empowering.
- Offering Psychoeducation
Many clients misunderstand their own symptoms. We emphasize the importance of educating individuals about how OCD and addiction work, their shared cycles, and effective treatment options that are tailored to the individual.
- Applying ERP to Addiction
Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD, can also be used to manage addictive urges. Helping clients tolerate distress without acting on compulsions or cravings is key to both kinds of recovery.
- Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps individuals take actions based on their personal values—even when faced with intrusions, anxiety, or cravings. This therapeutic approach is especially helpful in breaking the compulsive cycles found in both OCD and addiction.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction, know that you’re not alone. Reach out to Clearview today—we’re here to help. Click below to get started.
CONTACT CLEARVIEW COUNSELING
If you would like to contact Clearview Counseling, please feel free to email Jayme Valdez at info@ocd-therapy.com. You can also click on the Contact Us button as well to fill out our form and we’ll get back to you in a timely manner.