Stress and Substance Abuse are often linked, as stress is a natural reaction that helps us stay aware of our surroundings, body, and mind. Stress is normal, but it becomes a problem when individuals fail to manage it properly or when stress levels become too high. Without effective coping mechanisms, stress and substance abuse can become interconnected, leading to unhealthy habits and addiction.
Stress, when it goes beyond a certain point leads to anxiety. The combination of stress with anxiety is a mentally shattering experience for an individual. However, stress combined with anxiety can be reduced by different techniques like meditation, circular breathing, and proper rest.
The issue becomes very complex when stress leads to an initiation of substance abuse, and/or relapse.
The link between stress and substance abuse is often very strong and can have far reaching consequences if not managed in a proper way.
Below we look into the link between stress and substance abuse in a little bit of detail.
The Causal Link Between Stress and Substance Abuse
This section examines how stress contributes to substance misuse.
Some people experience higher levels of stress, making them more likely to fall into substance abuse or addiction. They often turn to alcohol and drugs as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions.
How Stress Fuels Addiction
Stress does not always directly cause substance abuse, but strong evidence shows a close connection. When people fail to manage stress effectively, they struggle to release it in healthy ways. As a result, many turn to excessive alcohol consumption or drug use.
Careers that demand high responsibility and long hours create high-stress environments. The level of job-related stress varies for each person. Some work experiences push individuals toward heavy drinking or substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
Similarly, students face immense academic pressure, which increases stress and anxiety. Research shows that stress-related substance abuse is more common among millennials than previous generations.
The Temporary Illusion of Relief
Drugs provide short-term relief by suppressing stress hormones. However, this relief is temporary and just as harmful as the substances being used. Many people falsely believe that taking drugs will eliminate their stress, but this is not true.
When Substance Abuse Causes Stress
Interestingly, substance abuse can also create stress rather than relieve it. A lifestyle filled with parties, alcohol, and drugs often leads to financial problems, conflicts with family and friends, and workplace struggles. These issues generate even more stress, proving that substance abuse can fuel stress rather than relieve it.
Even after quitting harmful substances, people sometimes relapse. Their minds crave the instant stress relief they once experienced, leading them back into addiction.
Stress and Substance Choice
The choice of substance is often related to the issue which the individual is dealing with.
For instance, an individual suffering from panic attacks and anxiety will choose depressants, whereas the ones suffering from depression opt for methamphetamine and cocaine.
Likewise cigarette smoking among teenagers is often the byproduct of school related stress.
Individuals under immense stress look for readily available and cheap drugs like marijuana and alcohol.
As mentioned before, these are temporary fixes to reduce stress and are in no way healthy. Short term fixes for mental or physical health related issues are almost always destructible in the long run.
Managing the stress in a healthier way is what is needed. The government should regulate the drugs that are easily available and being misused at a large scale.
Manage Stress in a Better Way
I mentioned at the beginning that stress is a normal occurrence within the human environment, body and brains. It is the failure of a coping mechanism which causes stress related issues like anxiety, depression, and ultimately substance abuse. Hence, better ways to manage stress are needed by an individual to prevent falling into this dungeon.
Therapy sessions are a decent way to start stress management and prevent substance misuse. Professional therapists should be sought for getting out of this pit.
Likewise, support groups are a good source of interaction and sharing where the right kind of environment is available to let it all out and make relations with like-minded people.
Exercising on a regular basis helps too. Meditation is another stress buster. The calmness and focus it brings to the table can help counter stress of everyday lives.
This article was written and provided by Hassan Khan Yousafzai