Most of us have experienced the release of tension a glass of wine or a drink can bring after a long hard day at work. We may have learned this practice from our parents. Stress for many people is dealt with by having a few drinks. A low mood could be made better, an upsetting day can be resolved for the moment.
For those dealing with addiction tor dependency, stress is something they need to pay attention to as it can derail any progress that has been made in recovering from addiction or reducing alcohol or substance use.
Stress can take many forms
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) outlines three different types of stress.
- Routine stress — related to daily pressures that come from work, school, and meeting other everyday responsibilities.
- Stress from sudden changes — such as the loss of a job, relationship, developing an illness or experiencing other unforeseen circumstances.
- Suffering a traumatic event — such as an accident, loss of a loved one, natural disaster, assault, or any type of incident that places you in actual or perceived danger.
Each type of stress needs to be relieved in some way. How we do this depends on many things. Watching how our parents coped with their challenges when we were young provides a guide for many of us. Sometimes our parents used unhealthy coping strategies. But there are many ways to cope with stress, and it is important to understand stress is a force that needs to be handled in healthy ways.
The impact of stress on the body
Stress causes a range of changes in the mind and body. It is important to remember that stress is not always bad. When we feel alarmed for our immediate safety or anxious about our future, the body will react in a way that mobilizes both the motivation and physical resources we need to act. In the case of physical danger, the brain engages a “fight or flight” reaction.
The fight or flight reaction causes the body to release stress hormones that cause a range of changes such as increased heart rate and breathing, muscle tension and heightened alertness. In an emergency, this reaction is useful as it enables us to run or face whatever is threatening us. In terms of worry over the future, (for example, concern over performing well in school) our heightened stress provides us with the motivation we need to work hard and do well.
The above examples are ways in which stress can be helpful. Stress that continues, however, such as being in an abusive relationship or a job that makes us unhappy or even suffering from a chronic illness, can cause ongoing stress that can hurt us over time.
Chronic stress can cause people to look for relief in alcohol and other substances. Researchers have determined that stress is a well-known risk factor in the development of addiction, as many people will use substances and alcohol to self-medicate. Substances that dampen the fight or flight response can provide relief but if this behavior continues, dependency will develop and eventually, addiction. Additionally, chronic stress can lead to depression and anxiety which in turn can lead to substance use as a means to bring relief.
Stress and alcohol or substance use
Addiction, in reality, is always about trying to fix something that is wrong. Substances change the way we feel, if only for a limited time and at a huge cost to our health. But the fact is, substances and alcohol bring a kind of relief, and in the beginning, we can feel a little better. But if dependency develops, substance use becomes a necessity for functioning. The body goes into withdrawal when you cut back or try to stop completely. Now you have a new problem that needs to be fixed, an even more urgent and demanding one.
If you are using substances or alcohol to relieve stress, it is time to find healthier ways to manage how you feel. Working with an addiction therapist will help you develop healthy ways to relieve stress and overcome your addiction. When you develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle your wellbeing will improve on all levels. Do not wait, reach out for help for stress management and addiction.
A holistic treatment strategy
All medication recovery options are most effective when used in combination with counseling and behavior modification therapy. Addiction recovery is a complex process that involves first a willingness and motivation to change. Physical detox, counseling, and identifying the underlying problem is also part of recovery. Follow up aftercare treatment may also helpful for long-term lifestyle changes.
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