Hoarding Treatment

Hoarding treatment includes addressing the thoughts and behaviors involved with hoarding and in some cases, taking medication to reduce symptoms.

People with a hoarding disorder do not always view their hoarding as a problem. They may refuse help and scoff at the idea of treatment for their disorder. Removing the excess items rather than providing hoarding disorder treatment may cause the person to experience setbacks and they may quickly replace the items. Hoarding treatment includes addressing the thoughts and behaviors involved with hoarding and in some cases, taking medication to reduce symptoms of co-occurring disorders.

Therapy for Hoarding

Hoarding therapy must address the reasons a person hoards to ensure long-term recovery. Without resolving underlying issues, hoarding counseling might be ineffective. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common approach for treating a hoarding disorder. During CBT a person might identify faulty or unhelpful beliefs that cause hoarding, challenge them and then replace them with new ideas. CBT may also involve teaching a person with a hoarding disorder how to resist the compulsion to continue acquiring objects and how to determine whether a possession needs to be saved.

Medications for Hoarding

There is no single medication for hoarding. Instead, medication is used to treat co-occurring depression and anxiety. These conditions may have developed before the hoarding disorder did and caused the hoarding disorder to be exacerbated, or they may have developed as a result of the hoarding.

The most commonly used medicine for hoarding disorder is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, serotonin is the hormone that causes feelings of happiness and pleasure.

Treating Hoarding and Co-Occurring Conditions

People with a hoarding disorder may have co-occurring disorders include depression and anxiety. It is important to treat both disorders simultaneously to avoid any setbacks with either disorder. Treatment for a hoarding and co-occurring disorder will typically involve psychotherapy and medication.

The goal of a treatment provider is to establish a treatment plan that is individualized for a specific patient so that co-occurring disorders can be addressed and treated.

Research shows that hoarding frequently co-occurs with substance use disorders. Some researchers estimate that more than half of people with a hoarding disorder meet the criteria for a substance use disorder.

If you or someone you know struggles with a substance use and co-occurring disorder like hoarding, help is available. At The Recovery Village, a team of professionals establishes an individualized treatment plan for patients who have substance use and co-occurring disorders. Call and speak with a representative to learn about which program could work for you.

Editor – Jennifer Kopf

Jennifer Kopf is a Florida-based writer who likes to balance creative writing with helpful and informative pieces. Her passion for helping people has translated into writing about the importance of treatment for substance use and mental health disorders. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Denise-Marie Griswold, LCAS

Denise-Marie Griswold is a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. She earned her Master's Degree in Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling from East Carolina University in 2014. Read more