Stress and Addiction

The Wednesday of the first week in November sees us marking National Stress Awareness Day. We often hear about the stress of modern living and that more and more people are suffering with stress in their lives.

Lots of people who drink a lot and use recreational drugs and prescribed medication to the point of addiction will blame this on stress or anxiety. It is true that, to start with, alcohol and drugs can help to relieve stress. We all know people who do a hard day’s work and have a drink in the pub or a glass of wine at the end of the working day and it helps them to relax.

Destructive Habit

There is no harm in that. Yet others of us don’t just have one drink but turn to heavy drinking all evening and that is not healthy. Indeed, it can be a destructive habit and eventually it will become almost impossible NOT to drink every and all evening and the amount drunk (or used if drugs is your choice) will increase and the number of hours in a day that you will want to be blur reality will increase.

In addition, if we drink and use drugs to excess then our anxiety and stress levels increase. The body’s tolerance levels increase so we need more and more to create the same effect. And when we try to cut down or stop, the body goes into shock at being deprived of its anticipated fix.  So we feel more tense and anxious, which manifests itself as shakes, sweats and general nausea, misery and bad temper. What is the answer to this? In our misguided view the only thing that will fix it is another drink or drug.

Stress and Anxiety

Other people who are stressed and anxious do not turn to drink and drugs. I can recall a colleague of mine who once told me that he was as happy with a cup of tea as an alcoholic drink when he got home at the end of his working day. As a big and regular drinker at the time, I struggled to get my head round this.

Now though, as someone who no longer drinks, I can see that it is just as relaxing to have a cup of tea as a glass of wine. And it does not set me off on a heavy drinking session and the inevitable bad feeling the following morning. My mind and body expect that cup of tea and associate it with relaxation every bit as much as they used to expect an alcoholic drink.

Stress – dealing with it differently

Since I stopped drinking I have found alternative ways to deal with stress and anxiety in my life. An example is accepting the things I cannot change and not worrying about them. Another example is having the courage to change the things that I can that cause me stress. I can take responsibility for my life rather than think I am powerless.

Forgive others to give me peace of mind rather than harbour resentment. I can ‘keep my side of the street clean’ so I do not feel guilt and shame. Can live an honest and morally sound life. And if I make sure that each day I go to bed feeling I have lived that day as best I can in whatever circumstances I have faced, then life is pretty good.

Stressed and Anxious

If you are stressed and anxious and using drink or drugs too much such that they are having a negative impact on your life, then call us on 01462 851414 and we can discuss how to help you.