Stress And Addiction

What Is Stress And Addiction?

Many clinicians and addiction treatment specialists back that stress is the number one cause of relapse to drug abuse and alcoholism, including smoking.  Now, research is clarifying a scientific basis for these clinical observations.  For individuals, stress magnifies the brain levels of a peptide known as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF).  The increased CRF levels, in turn, triggers a cascade of biological responses.  [1]

Stress is a well-known risk factor in the progress of addiction and addiction relapse vulnerability.  In addition, a series of population-based and epidemiological studies have recognized specific stressors and individual-level variables predictive of substance use and abuse.  Furthermore, people subjected to chronic stress or those who show symptoms of PTSD often have hormonal responses that are not sufficiently regulated and do not return to normal when the stress is over.  This may make somebody more inclined to stress-related illnesses and prompt individuals to relapse to addiction.

“Good And Bad” Stress And Addiction Correlation

“Stress” refers to manners affecting perception, appraisal, and response to harmful, threatening, or challenging situations or stimuli.  Stress encounters can be emotionally or physiologically challenging and activate stress responses and adaptive processes to regain homeostasis (Homeostasis is a healthy state maintained by the constant adjustment of biochemical and physiological pathways.)

However, the more lengthened, repeated, or chronic the stress—for instance, states correlated with increased intensity or persistence of distress—the greater the uncontrollability and unpredictability of the stressful circumstance, lower the sense of mastery or adaptability, and more significant magnitude of the stress response and risk for stress and addiction to co-occur.

Types Of Adverse Life Events, Trauma, Chronic Stressors, And Individual-Level Variables Predictive Of Addiction Risk

The stressors tend to be exceptionally emotionally distressing events that are uncontrollable and unpredictable for children and adults.  The themes vary from loss, violence, and aggression to poor support, interpersonal conflict, isolation, and trauma.  There is also evidence for a dose-dependent relationship between accumulated adversity and addiction risk—the greater the number of stressors an individual is exposed to, the higher the risk of developing an addiction.

Work-related stressors have weaker support, but individual-level variables such as trait negative emotionality and poor self-control (probably comparable to poor executive function) appear to also contribute uniquely to addiction risk.  In addition, exposure to such stressors early in life and increased stress (chronicity) result in neuroendocrine;  physiological, behavioral, and subjective changes that tend to be long-lasting and negatively affect the development of brain systems involved in learning;  motivation, and stress-related adaptive behaviors. 

Interim Relief

Stress is something that influences the physical and mental well-being of individuals.  Those who cannot deal with stress positively and efficiently may turn to alcohol or drugs for momentary relief.  Unfortunately, those who self-medicate with alcohol or drugs risk several other problems, including addiction, eventually worsening their problems.

What Induces Stress

Many things can leave people feeling stressed and in danger of turning to chemical substances. Some of these can include:

Most people get stress from time to time, but they can handle it effectively.  It may leave them feeling upset or frustrated, but it will pass.  Although, some individuals live with stress regularly, which can harm their lives.  Chronic stress causes certain chemicals to be released by the brain, affecting the immune system.  Those dealing with chronic stress will develop physical and mental health issues because they are run down, and their immune systems are not working adequately.

Chronic stress can cause depression and exhaustion, and some will turn to drugs or alcohol to make themselves feel better.  Alcohol, for instance, is a central nervous system depressant, which makes the user feel carefree and calm in the short term.  But, continued abuse of alcohol can lead to dependence, ending in even more stress for the individual.

Dangerous Self-Medication Of Stress And Addiction

It is never a good plan to drink alcohol or take drugs to make oneself feel better.  Self-medicating with chemical substances can lead to several concerns, not least of which is addiction.  Those influenced by alcohol or drug addiction are in danger of losing their friends, families, jobs, wealth, and homes.

Substance abuse may make a person feel better in the short term, but it will intensify problems if it proceeds.  Those who are bound to use drugs or drink alcohol will be powerless to live everyday healthy lives.  They could find it troublesome to hold down a job, and their relationships will suffer as the impact of the addiction begins to affect other individuals in their lives.

Exercise is another powerful way to alleviate stress.  A good workout or a long walk can help to make you feel calm and comfortable.  Working out with others is also a good plan, as talking about your problems will help subdue any feelings of stress you may have.

Not Sure What To Do Next?

Free personal, private consultations with one of our counselors 24/7 for stress and addiction programs.

Here at We Level Up NJ, creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal to substances of abuse;  the psychological connection with drug use, and managing underlying mental health disorders is part of setting clients up for success. [3]  A thorough mental health analysis identifies opportunities for treatment.  Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means access to behavioral therapy and medication treatment.  Proper treatment leads to change for better, healthier living.  This is all possible at our dual diagnosis treatment center in We Level Up, New Jersey.