Stress and Substance Abuse

Stress-induced substance abuse is an all-too-common pathway to addiction. Individuals experiencing chronic stress often turn to drugs or alcohol as a panacea to help them manage the condition.

Daily stress may arise from a demanding job, a troubled relationship, parenting, or financial problems – and can become debilitating. Using a substance for the purpose of mitigating the discomforts of stress is considered a maladaptive coping response. Due to the strong link between stress and substance abuse, the path to recovery must include healthy stress management techniques.

What Causes Stress?

The root causes of stress may not be related to any current stressor, but instead in early childhood trauma. Research shows that children confronted with chronic stressors or acute traumatic events become more vulnerable to stress as adults. This vulnerability then places them at risk of developing a substance use disorder.

Although stress is part of everyday life and experienced by all, some individuals are much more sensitive to stressors they encounter. Neuroscience points to the limbic and amygdala regions of the brain, which controls executive functions. These include emotion regulation, memory, impulse control, reasoning, and problem solving. When the executive functions are underdeveloped, the individual struggles to manage his or her reaction to stressors.

Symptoms of Stress

The stress response is basically the same thing as the fear response. It is a visceral response of the body and brain when encountering a stimulus that creates a sense of fear, dread, or danger. The brain immediately begins producing cortisol and adrenaline, which fuels the stress response symptoms. These include:

• Headaches
• Muscle tension
• Insomnia
• Change in eating habits
• Rapid heartbeat
• Loss of interest in sex
• Gastrointestinal conditions
• Shortness of breath
• On edge, jumpy
• Excessive worry
• Mood swings
• Frequent colds due to compromised immune system
• Irritability
• Trouble concentrating
• Anxiety
• Depression

Using Substances to Manage Stress

Unrelenting stress can cause health and mental health problems because high cortisol levels are hard on the body. Someone experiencing chronic high levels of stress may seek ways to subdue the effects of the stressful situations. Often the coping method of choice becomes alcohol or drugs.

Stress and substance abuse often go hand in hand. The substance becomes a form of self-medication, providing relief from the symptoms of stress. Common substances used to self-medicate chronic stress include alcohol, benzodiazepines, and marijuana. As an occasional remedy, having an alcoholic drink after a stressful event is not a problem for most people. However, when stress levels do not subside and the substance use becomes habitual, addiction can develop.

Link Between Stress and Addiction

The close connection between stress and substance abuse has been well studied. Research has shown that environmental factors like acute or chronic stress can instigate a cycle of substance abuse and relapse. This occurs when the brain’s stress systems interact with the brain’s reward system, initiating maladaptive coping methods and addictive behaviors.

The result of this combination of stress and substance abuse may develop into what is referred to as a dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis simply means that the individual has co-occurring mental health challenges and substance use disorder. Substance abuse, when habitual and chronic, can escalate to addiction. This only complicates the person’s ongoing battle with stress, as addiction comes with its own stressors.

Signs of Substance Abuse and Addiction

So, how do you know when the substance you are counting on to calm your nerves has become a liability? Review the following common signs of substance use disorder to assess whether you or a loved one might have become addicted:

• Consuming higher and/or more frequent doses of the substance
• Being obsessed about the substance, having it readily available, and planning the day around using the substance
• A loss of interest in the things once enjoyed
• Displaying secretive or deceptive behaviors
• Sleeping too much or not enough
• The ability to complete basic tasks at work or home becomes impaired
• Ignoring personal hygiene
• Continuing to use the substance, even with increasing negative consequences
• Trying to quit drinking or using the drug but can’t
• Getting into legal trouble
• Having cravings
• Impulsive behaviors
• Exhibiting withdrawal symptoms

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Substance Abuse and Stress

If you or someone you love has acquired a dual diagnosis from chronic stress and substance abuse, help is available. Dual diagnosis is an integrated treatment approach that combines mental health treatment with the addiction recovery program. The prevailing opinion is to treat both disorders at the same time for best long-term recovery results.

Dual diagnosis treatment includes:

• Detox and withdrawal. Detox is the process of ridding the body of the substance, allowing the individual to stabilize before entering treatment.
• Individual psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, is an essential core element for treating both disorders.
• Group counseling. Group therapy supports peer interaction and is a source for sharing and accountability for individuals in treatment.
• Family therapy. These family sessions guide family members to improve communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Medication management. Medications are generally a core treatment element for a dual diagnosis.
• Holistic healing. Activities like yoga, meditation, and art therapy enhance the treatment experience.
• Relapse prevention. New coping skills and relapse prevention strategies help to formulate a personalized recovery plan.

Managing Stress in Recovery

Stress is the number one cause of relapse. To reduce that risk, it is essential that individuals who’ve completed treatment practice activities that can quickly reduce feelings of anxiety or stress. By prioritizing self-care in recovery, you’ll integrate holistic therapies that help manage stress throughout the day. Some of these activities include:

• Yoga classes
• Deep breathing techniques
• Massage therapy
• Aromatherapy
• Acupuncture
• Mindfulness meditation
• Gardening
• Art therapy
• Journaling
• Guided meditation
• Grounding techniques

To further the effects of these stress-reducing activities, it is important to establish healthy lifestyle habits. These routines include getting at least seven hours of sleep, eating nutritious meals, and daily exercise.

Bright Future Recovery Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment

Bright Future Recovery offers a life-changing luxury treatment experience for individuals struggling with stress management and substance abuse or addiction. Our dual diagnosis program is personalized to address your unique treatment and recovery goals. To learn more, please reach out to us today at (831) 245-1623.