Stress is a part of life, but when it becomes chronic, it can have serious consequences—especially when it comes to addiction. At Berkshire Mountain Health, we’ve seen how stress and addiction often go hand in hand.
Stress not only makes life more complicated, but it can also trigger substance use and fuel the cycle of addiction. With that in mind, let’s explore how stress contributes to addiction and why managing mental health is essential for recovery. We’ll also review some practical tips to cope with stress in healthy, constructive ways.
The Link Between Stress and Addiction
It’s no secret that people often turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with stress. Whether it’s a bad day at work, relationship issues, or financial struggles, stress creates tension in the body and mind that can be hard to escape.
For some, using substances like alcohol or drugs feels like an easy way to numb those feelings. Unfortunately, this creates a dangerous cycle where stress leads to substance use, and substance use leads to more stress.
Chronic stress is especially problematic because it keeps the body in a constant state of fight-or-flight. This stress response floods the body with cortisol and other stress hormones, leading to a range of physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, and trouble sleeping.[1]
Mentally, stress can cause anxiety, irritability, and difficulty focusing—all of which make it harder to resist the urge to use substances. For many people, stress is a key factor in both the development of addiction and relapse after treatment. That’s why managing stress and mental health is a critical part of recovery.
How Chronic Stress Contributes to Substance Use Disorders
Chronic stress doesn’t just affect your mood—it changes how your brain works. When you’re constantly under stress, your brain starts looking for ways to find relief, and for some, that relief comes in the form of drugs or alcohol. This is where stress and addiction become closely intertwined.
Stress can alter brain chemistry, making it harder to manage emotions and increasing the risk of turning to substances as a coping mechanism. Over time, this behavior becomes habitual, leading to the development of a substance use disorder.
The more stressed you are, the more likely you are to rely on substances to cope. This cycle makes it difficult to break free from addiction without addressing the root cause: stress.
Early life trauma, such as neglect or abuse, can make a person more vulnerable to stress and addiction later in life. These experiences can increase sensitivity to stress and make it harder to cope in healthy ways.
At Berkshire Mountain Health, we’ve seen how unresolved trauma and chronic stress often play a role in substance abuse, which is why we focus on treating the whole person—both the mind and body—during recovery.
The Importance of Managing Mental Health in Recovery
Addressing mental health is essential when treating addiction. At Berkshire Mountain Health, we believe that true recovery requires more than just detoxing from substances. You need to heal emotionally and mentally to stay on track with your sobriety. If the underlying stress and mental health issues aren’t addressed, it’s easy to fall back into old habits.[2]
Mental health treatment during recovery helps you identify the triggers that lead to stress and substance use. By working with a therapist, you can learn healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress, whether it’s through mindfulness techniques, therapy, or lifestyle changes.
This doesn’t mean you’ll eliminate stress from your life entirely, but it does mean you’ll be better equipped to handle it without turning to drugs or alcohol.
Healthy Ways to Manage Stress
Supporting your recovery depends on your ability to manage stress in sensible ways. At Berkshire Mountain Health, we suggest several practical techniques. Mindfulness and meditation help you be present and relaxed, lowering stress and enhancing mental clarity.
Moreover, regular exercise generates endorphins that naturally help reduce stress. Creating a support network from friends, relatives, or support organizations grounds one emotionally amid trying circumstances. Your stress reaction can be better controlled by prioritizing sleep and following a regular schedule.
Lastly, cutting sugar and caffeine helps you maintain steady energy levels, enabling better stress management throughout the day. These few adjustments can greatly improve your general state of health.
Stress and Addiction: Why Addressing Both Is Essential
If you’re struggling with both stress and addiction, it’s important to understand that these two issues often feed into each other. At Berkshire Mountain Health, we focus on treating the whole person, addressing not just the addiction but also the underlying stress and mental health issues that contribute to it.
Our treatment programs are designed to help you build healthier coping mechanisms and develop strategies to manage stress without turning to substances. By addressing stress, trauma, and mental health as part of your recovery process, you can break the cycle of addiction and build a stronger, more resilient foundation for your future.
Ready to Take the Next Step in Managing Your Stress and Addiction?
Managing stress is crucial to achieving lasting recovery from addiction. At Berkshire Mountain Health, we offer comprehensive treatment programs that address both your addiction and the mental health challenges that often come with it.
If you’re ready to start your journey toward better health, contact us today to learn more about our programs and how we can support you in managing stress and addiction. Take control of your mental health and your recovery—let us help you find the tools you need to live a healthier, more balanced life.
Sources:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579396/
[2] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
Alexis earned both a B.S. in Psychology and a B.S. in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University and an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. She holds licenses in Marriage and Family Therapy in Florida, Connecticut, and Massachusetts and is also a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Alexis works with families, couples, children, and groups and also has a sub-specialty in addiction and recovery. She utilizes an integrated, systemic approach to counseling; empowering people to define what is not working for them in their lives and to discover the possibilities for making life work. In doing this, clients are guided towards identifying their strengths, accessing their resources, tapping into their potential for success, and taking action toward achieving their desired goals.
Alexis also has extensive experience in the administration of behavioral health organizations. She has developed, built, and supervised several facilities encompassing all levels of care while leading them through state licensing and The Joint Commission accreditation process.
