Stress is a part of everyday life, but it is also a risk factor for many illnesses, including substance use disorder. Stress and addiction tend to go hand in hand. Research has found that stress can play a role in starting to abuse drugs or alcohol and continuing to use them even after treatment. Consider ways stress impacts addiction, then reach out to Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston today at 866.516.8356 for treatment.
The Effect of Stress on the Body
Stressful events lead to the release of stress hormones. When that happens, your body goes into ‘fight or flight’ mode. Your muscles tense up and fill with blood, so you are ready to defend yourself or to run if necessary.
It’s something that happens to everybody sometimes. Everyone has normal stress and may even experience it in some form daily, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Stress can challenge you to do better or work harder. It can have pleasant side effects, like when you ride a rollercoaster or walk through a haunted house.
That occasional bit of stress has little impact on your overall health. It’s the occasional traffic jam or complicated project. It’s acute stress, meaning it happens once and is gone.
Chronic Stress and Addition
Chronic stress, or stress you feel repeatedly, has a lasting impact. After a while, you develop symptoms that the stress is affecting you physically and mentally, such as:
- Insomnia
- Neck and back pain
- Headaches
- Depression
- Anxiety
Some people even get more colds because their immune systems don’t function well because of the stress.
Constant stressors make you vulnerable to many things, including substance abuse. Using drugs and drinking alcohol can be ways to self-medicate, so you feel better. These are unhealthy coping mechanisms which is a risk factor for addiction.
Finding Healthy Ways to Deal With Stress and Addiction
Since there is a connection between stress and addiction, the path to recovery involves finding ways to handle both. If you treat the substance use disorder without dealing with the chronic stress, you may relapse the next time you struggle with it. Experts state that stress is the number one cause of relapse.
There are healthy ways to cope with stress. It is one of the lasting lessons you learn while undergoing addiction treatment. Stress management is a primary concern whether you are in a managed detox program like Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston or have moved on to primary treatment.
Seek Support at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston Today
The effect of mental health on addiction is one reason detox centers offer dual diagnosis treatment services. You have to learn to control stress to find recovery. Detox is the first step in that direction.
Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston is a residential detox program that offers a warm and intimate atmosphere. The staff provides individualized care that includes stress management therapies like yoga and medication.
Services at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston include:
The goal is to help you through one of the most challenging parts of recovery and build a sober foundation as you enter addiction treatment.
Withdrawal starts as soon as you have your last drink or drug. Within hours, you may experience symptoms like anxiety, depression, nausea, and sleeplessness. Your stress level will increase, making staying sober that much harder.
A detox center allows you to go through withdrawal with someone by your side. They can offer you medication that lessens the severity of the symptoms and comfort care that may get you through it faster.
Stress and addiction don’t have to control your life or that of someone you love. Call us at 866.516.8356 or go online and fill out our contact form. Our trained staff can help get you started with your recovery.
