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The Mis-handling Of Stress With Drugs and Alcohol

By Stacy Barnes | June 9, 2011

Stress is a major factor known to increase alcohol and drug relapse risk.  While those recovering from an alcohol or drug addiction can often resist most environmental triggers that may remind them of their former addiction, an addict may find that resisting the urge to use is exceptionally difficult when they are faced with an emotionally stressful situation. Job loss, loss of loved one, divorce, custody battles, money issues and even smaller problems such as heavy traffic, while a way of life, all can easily be the cause of a relapse.

It is very common for those who have a hard time coping with these stressful situations to use alcohol and drugs in an effort to relax themselves or self-medicate.  Unfortunately the effects of chronic alcohol and drug abuse can take a very dangerous toll on a person’s health and life, and will most likely only worsen or prolong the symptoms of stress and anxiety. By habitually using drugs or alcohol as a means of coping with stress, the substance abuse itself will become the stressor, which could easily trigger a cycle of drug use and ultimately lead to the development of an addiction.  Also, in addition to the development of a physical addiction, it is also common that those who use drugs to self medicate will develop substance use disorders and mental health conditions, which will only compound the situation at hand.

No matter who you are in this world, stress is a part of life and it is important that we learn how to confront these stressful situations and frustrations, rather than escaping and ignoring them. While stress cannot be avoided, addiction can, provided stress is managed in a healthy way. If you haven’t already sought out drugs or alcohol to relieve stress, but have often found yourself contemplating doing so, understand that there are many techniques that can be used to cope safely and without the use of harmful substances. Relaxing the mind with Yoga and massages is a common holistic approach used by many alcohol and drug rehab centers to help their patients cope with stress. Exercise is also very effective because doing so leads to a natural release of endorphins, the hormones that produce our “happy” feelings. Even every day “emotional” tasks such as staying positive, embracing change, accepting what you can and cannot in life, and taking one day at a time can have a huge impact on the outlook you may have on your life.

Unfortunately some may already find themselves ensnared in the vicious cycle of using drugs or alcohol to cope with life’s stressors and in these cases, it is important that addiction treatment is sought out, as drug or alcohol addiction is near impossible to overcome our own. While 12-step meetings outside an alcohol or drug rehab facility may be effective for some addictions such as mild alcoholism, it is important to remember that medical detox is sometimes necessary to fully rid the body of addictive toxins that have resulted from drug use and a more structured drug or alcohol treatment is essential for full recovery. If you feel that in order to cope with stress you have no other choice but to turn to harmful and potentially addictive substances, seek treatment in a Florida drug rehab center immediately.

Topics: Addiction, Alcohol Treatment, Detox, Drug Addiction, Drug Rehab | Comments Off

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