The Connection Between Stress and Relapse
Avoiding relapse is, of course, the goal of any recovery. Unfortunately, relapse is a real and important part of the overall recovery process for some students. If you have suffered from drug abuse and got clean, but worry about stress and relapse, reach out to Alina Lodge online today. Call us at 833.685.1700 to learn how our professional relapse prevention program can help you continue to experience a happier, healthier life in recovery.
The Connection Between Stress and Relapse
The life of a recovering addict can be treacherous. In one moment, they are focusing on living free of intoxication and drugs, and the next, they may lose their desire to keep working hard at staying sober and be tempted to break the vow they made to themselves and others to never use again. Relapses can be debilitating, and it is common for students to experience stress and relapse. Understanding why can be an essential factor in avoiding relapse.
Drug relapses are one of the biggest obstacles a student must overcome. One definition of a relapse is the choice to resume using a drug that a user was addicted to but stopped using. Many things can cause a student to relapse. Chiefly among them is stress.
Stress is a natural part of life, and everyone has to deal with stress at some point. There’s a number of factors that can cause stress and relapse, including the following life situations:
- A dysfunctional marriage or relationship
- An unhappy work environment or job
- Lack of stable housing
- Violent situations or high-pressure environments
- Poor nutrition
- Prescribed medications with anxiety as a side effect.
The relationship between stress and relapse is a double-edged sword. Not only can drugs cause a person to feel stressed, but stressful events and situations often cause people to turn to drugs for relief from that stress.
Tips For Reducing Stress and Avoiding Relapse
The clear connection between feeling stress and using drugs and alcohol means that students need to develop effective stress-reduction techniques. Learning these tips and techniques will often be a part of a relapse prevention program and included in various rehab treatment plans. Proven ways of avoiding relapse include:
- Meditation, including yoga and breathing exercise
- Gratitude journaling
- Maintaining healthy friendships and personal relationships
- Laughter, which can reduce stress and anxiety too
- Frequent movements may distract you from stress
Before using any of these stress reduction ideas, it is important that you consider why you are stressed and what in your life is causing the stress. Simply reducing stress will not address the root of the problems you are facing. In the case of stress and relapse, avoiding or reducing stress can be helpful, but eliminating as many stressors is the better way to avoid relapse.
The techniques above, from meditation to good friendships, can be effective at reducing stress, but without fully understanding the mechanisms behind the stress you experience daily, the relief will be temporary. Ask yourself:
- Do you dismiss stress as a temporary problem?
- Have you accepted that this stress is a normal part of your life?
- Do you accept responsibility for your stress, or are you blaming other people and situations for your stress?
If you are living with stress and relapse is a concern, don’t hesitate to seek out professional help from Alina Lodge.
Learn More at Alina Lodge
Avoiding relapse is not easy, but there is help available. Understanding the connection between stress and relapse can be key to experiencing a long-term recovery. If you are currently struggling with stress and fear its impact on your sobriety, contact Alina Lodge using our secure online form or call us at 833.685.1700 today.
