Stress is a part of the lives of many people. Deadlines at work, conflict with loved ones, and complicated health matters can all pile up and make life difficult. For a person without good stress management skills, life can be challenging so much so that they reach for alcohol or drugs to help. A key component of addiction recovery, then, is to learn to manage stress. Our trauma-focused therapy program at Fresh Start Recovery Center can help you with that.
Why Stress Management Is a Common Problem in Addiction?
There are many causes of addiction. One of those causes is lacking the ability to manage stress. When a person feels stressed, a hormone called cortisol is released into the body. That hormone speeds up the heart rate and gets a person ready to react to whatever the stressor is. Today, stress isn’t often something we can deal with quickly. Yet, the body continues to produce cortisol because of worry, fear, or other stress.
That hormone creates an uncomfortable heaviness in the chest. It may cause confusion and anxiety. It can also limit the overall healthy function of other organs. It taxes the brain, too. Some people feel intense fatigue while others are wired and unable to sleep. The body cannot maintain this level for long. That’s why some people reach out to drugs and alcohol that may be able to turn off or reduce some of the symptoms of stress. These substances may help a person to stop feeling the intensity of the stress.
Signs You May Need Help with Stress Management
Many individuals who struggle with drug or alcohol addiction also face issues with stress management. You may need help with stress management if you have signs such as:
- Using drugs to deal with stress
- Have a drink after work to relax
- Need to drink a glass of wine every day after dealing with the day’s tasks
- Needing to drink to feel normal
- Being unable to focus on tasks until you have a drink
Addiction and dependence are also signs that you could benefit from a stress management program. It can be difficult to overcome addiction without receiving help from a professional treatment program. In this type of program, you’ll also learn how to manage stress.
What Are the Benefits of Stress Management in Addiction Rehab?
When a person invests in stress management as a component of addiction recovery, he or she learns new ways to deal with stress. There’s no way to remove stress from every part of life. The better option, then, is to:
- Learn what stress triggers exist.
- Develop strategies for minimizing exposure to those triggers.
- Learn strategies to cope with changing situations that may cause stress.
- Develop habits that incorporate stress relief into daily life, such as exercise, spending time with friends, or nature.
- Learn to recognize the symptoms of poor stress management so it’s possible to control the potential negative behavior.
Start on the Path Towards Addiction Recovery
At Fresh Start Recovery Center, our team can provide a wide range of tools for treatment to encourage better stress management. Life is a challenge, but with these strategies, even the most stressful situations can be managed without drugs or alcohol.
Learn about some of our programs and therapies:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Trauma therapy programs
- Group therapy programs
Get the Support You Need at Fresh Start Recovery Center
During addiction treatment at Fresh Start Recovery Center, you’ll learn effective stress management methods. You’ll learn how to recognize and address your stress triggers to achieve a better outcome. Learn how to get started when you call 833.625.0398 or connect with us online today.