In the past decade or two, our pursuit of advancement has led to rapid developments in the field of technology & science. It has enabled us to have self-driving cars, 3-D printed organs, instant connectivity, access to information at the click of a button and apps that essentially do everything for us. However, these rapid and constant changes have resulted in us having busy and extremely stressful lives. No one is immune to stress. Not even therapists who treat it. Very few people are able to go 24 hours without experiencing the stress of some kind, whether it is at the workplace or at home. And because it is an omnipresent part of our lives, we tend to minimize the effects of stress on our wellbeing.
Stress exacts a very heavy toll on our mental and physical wellbeing. From high blood pressure to obesity to ulcers to psoriasis to heart disease to dementia to depression and anxiety, stress can give rise to a variety of health conditions/illnesses. It interferes with our sleeping patterns, making us tired and ill-equipped to handle daily challenges; it weakens our immunity, making us far more prone to colds and other illnesses; and a lot of times, chronic stress drives people to employ unhealthy coping mechanisms
such as alcohol or drug addiction.
Research suggests that there is a connection between stress and addiction. When a person experiences acute stress and consumes alcohol/drug to get some relief from it, then that substance becomes a way of coping with the stress and thus the substance often becomes addictive. Studies suggest that people who abuse drugs/alcohol may have a lower tolerance for stress to begin with. Alternatively, it is also possible that substance abuse lowers the threshold for stress tolerance, making people more prone to engage in substance use. The connection between stress and addiction only serves to reinforce the fact that addiction is a disease and stress is one of the biggest triggers for substance use and relapse.
Stress management is hence a very important step in overcoming addiction and relapse prevention. There are small changes that can be made in day to day life which will help in stress reduction:
- Exercising: It’s a great way to blow off some steam and is known to relieve stress. Exercise makes the brain release endorphins, serotonin, adrenaline and dopamine, also known as the “happy hormones” which make you feel good. Additionally, workout results in muscle relaxation which eases tension and strain.
- Meditation: In today’s busy pace of life, we often overlook our emotional and mental wellbeing. Meditation helps to reconnect with our own thoughts and feelings and can help a recovering addict to stay mindful of his/her needs. Meditation along with Yoga, when employed on a regular schedule, can help alleviate stress.
- Healthy Habits: Eating balanced, nutrient-packed meals can help improve moods and is also physically beneficial and immunity boosting. Studies have proved that eating properly, getting good sleep and staying active are important factors in recovery.
- Support: Recovery in itself can be very stressful. In addition to physical and emotional withdrawal, addiction has a lot of social stigmas which can induce stress. It is important to get the right support through support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, as well as seeking Counseling. Getting this kind of support can help deal with emotional stress in a healthy way and can often help in relapse prevention.
