✦ MARC ✦
OCD Treatment Center In Maryland
Amanda Stevens
Dr. Po-Chang Hsu, M.D., M.S.
Amanda Stevens
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Key points
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition involving intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions), which significantly impact daily life.
- OCD's prevalence (1% to 3% globally) and common misunderstandings surrounding the condition can lead to delayed treatment and unnecessary suffering.
- MARC offers specialized treatment for OCD and co-occurring addiction, integrating several different treatment modalities to alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life.
What is OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions).[2] People with OCD feel driven to perform these compulsions to relieve anxiety or prevent perceived negative outcomes.
Key features of OCD include:[3]
- Obsessions: Unwanted, distressing thoughts, images, or urges that repeatedly occur in a person’s mind.
- Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels compelled to perform in response to obsessions or according to rigid rules.
- Time-consuming: OCD symptoms often take up a significant amount of time, interfering with daily life.
- Distress: The condition causes marked anxiety, distress, or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
OCD can manifest in various ways, such as excessive cleaning, checking, counting, or ordering. While many people experience occasional obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors, OCD is diagnosed when these symptoms significantly impact your overall quality of life.
OCD is more common than many people realize, affecting approximately 1% to 3% of the global population.[4] Despite its prevalence, OCD often goes undiagnosed or misunderstood, leading to delays in treatment and unnecessary suffering. Fortunately, MARC provides comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment services, including specialized care for co-occurring OCD and drug and alcohol addiction.
OCD and Drug Addiction
OCD and substance abuse often co-occur, creating a challenging situation for those affected and their loved ones:[5]
- Self-medication: Some people with OCD may turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to alleviate anxiety or quiet obsessive thoughts. This can lead to substance abuse and eventual addiction.
- Shared neurobiological pathways: Both OCD and addiction involve disruptions in the brain’s reward system and executive functioning, which may explain their frequent co-occurrence.[6]
- Compulsive drug use: The compulsive nature of OCD can extend to drug-seeking and drug-using behaviors, potentially accelerating the development of addiction.
- Increased vulnerability: People with OCD may be more susceptible to developing addictions due to heightened anxiety and difficulty coping with stress.
- Overlapping symptoms: Some OCD-related behaviors, such as excessive washing or checking, may be mistaken for drug-induced paranoia or vice versa, leading to diagnostic challenges.
- Increased severity: When OCD and addiction co-occur, each condition can exacerbate the symptoms of the other, leading to more severe overall impairment.
MARC offers specialized OCD residential treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously, providing a path to recovery and improved quality of life. Our integrated approach recognizes the complex interplay between OCD and addiction, giving you the tools you need to break free from the cycle of compulsion and substance abuse.
With professional help and a commitment to treatment, our patients can learn to manage their OCD symptoms effectively while maintaining sobriety, ultimately leading fuller, more satisfying lives.
What Types of OCD Therapies Are Available for Both OCD and Substance Use Disorder?
This approach uses artistic expression to promote healing and self-discovery. For OCD patients, it can provide an outlet for anxiety and a way to express feelings nonverbally, along with a healthy means of self-expression and stress relief.
Discover New Strength and the Power of Community at MARC
MARC offers a unique and comprehensive approach to treating OCD, addiction, and other co-occurring disorders. MARC’s philosophy centers on the belief that recovery is not just about overcoming addiction or managing symptoms but about building a fulfilling, purposeful life.
We emphasize community and connection, recognizing that healing and growth often happen within a supportive network. MARC is not just an OCD inpatient treatment facility – it’s a welcoming place that helps you cultivate independence, practical life skills, and healthy habits. This approach eliminates the abrupt shift that often occurs when leaving traditional treatment centers. Instead, clients at MARC learn to thrive and reset while still in treatment, ensuring that when it’s time to leave, the transition is seamless.
Our goal is to prepare you for the best of your life. By the time you complete your program at MARC, you’re not just leaving treatment: you’re stepping into a life you’ve already been practicing. You’re equipped with the tools, confidence, and support network needed to maintain your recovery and pursue your goals.
At MARC, we believe in your potential to overcome challenges and build a life of purpose and fulfillment. Let’s work together to prepare you for the brightest chapter of your life—a life of recovery, growth, and endless possibilities.
Ready to take the first step?
Contact us today and discover how our comprehensive, long-term approach can transform your life. Your journey to lasting recovery and improved mental health starts here.
Frequently Asked Questions About OCD Treatment Centers in Maryland
Many insurance plans cover OCD treatment, but coverage can vary depending on the specific plan and provider. It's important to check with your insurance company about your specific coverage for mental health services. MARC is in-network with Kaiser Permanente, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients with Kaiser insurance. We can also help you better understand your out-of-network benefits and explore all your payment options.
Yes, OCD can be treated alongside other mental health conditions, and this is often necessary for effective treatment plans. Many individuals with OCD also experience co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, or substance use disorders.
Our OCD treatment center in Maryland offers integrated treatment approaches that address multiple conditions simultaneously, including substance use disorder and OCD. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of a person's mental health are addressed, leading to more effective and lasting recovery.
OCD treatment can be highly effective, especially when evidence-based approaches are used. Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can also be effective, especially when combined with psychotherapy. However, effectiveness can vary overall, and finding the right treatment approach may take time and patience.
Family involvement is often a crucial component of successful OCD treatment. Many treatment centers in Maryland offer family therapy sessions, educational programs, and support groups for family members. Families can learn about OCD, its symptoms, and effective ways to support their loved one without enabling OCD behaviors.
They can also work on improving communication and addressing family dynamics that may be impacting the individual's OCD. Some centers may offer skills training to help family members respond effectively to OCD symptoms and support the treatment process at home.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2023, December 21). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Mayo Clinic; Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432 on July 18, 2024
[2] National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Obsessive-Compulsive disorder. Www.nimh.nih.gov; National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd on July 18, 2024
[3] National Library of Medicine . (2018). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Medlineplus.gov; National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/obsessivecompulsivedisorder.html on July 18, 2024
[4] Brock, H., & Hany, M. (2023). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553162/ on July 18, 2024
[5] Mancebo, M. C., Grant, J. E., Pinto, A., Eisen, J. L., & Rasmussen, S. A. (2009). Substance Use Disorders in an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Clinical Sample. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23(4), 429–435. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2705178/ on July 18, 2024
[6] Pickenhan, L., & Milton, A. L. (2024). Special issue: preclinical animal models and assays of neuropsychiatric disorders: old problems and new vistas. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11039534/ on July 18, 2024