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How Stress Can Impact an Addiction at Work

25% of people claim that their job is the number 1 stress in their life

When people deal with episodes of stress, they may get into an unhealthy habit of drinking or taking drugs to find relief for a short period. This dependence can quickly lead to a severe addiction or substance abuse disorder. Chronic stress can undermine one’s health to a greater extent. As a response to stress, a person is likely to face music such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or other serious health problems. 

In stressful situations, there are high-risk factors for developing mental illness. It is beneficial to seek professional medical care at a treatment center, whether you choose an inpatient or outpatient treatment option. There are plenty of options available for the specific needs of each patient.

What Are the Signs of Being Stressed?

A person may begin abusing substances like alcohol, cocaine, opioids, prescription, and illegal drugs and frequently use them to feel relaxed. Such drug abuse, in the long run, increases stress levels. 20 percent of managers and employees say that a co-worker consuming alcohol risks his life.

These signs of stressfulness include

  • Changes in the heart rate
  • Constant tiredness
  • Exaggerated reactions
  • Hot flashes
  • Feeling jittery

Stress Can Take to Drug And Alcohol Abuse

Anyone can deal with stress as there is no specification that people with specific jobs will have to undergo anxiety. Sometimes jobs related to retail are figured out to lead to high-stress levels. Moreover, the position of event coordinators, military personnel, and police officers makes it stressful for them to handle different situations. Military men often go through post-traumatic stress disorder as they are deployed in war zones.

In the long run, stress can converge into anxiety disorders as well. According to the American Institute of Stress, around 83 percent of people undergo job stress, and nearly 25 percent claim that their job is the number one stressor in their lives. People stay at the jobs that they dislike and struggle with. They keep on doing their best with their jobs.

How Does Workplace Cause You Stress?

The predicaments of heavy workloads or a monotonous work routine can lead to short-term and long-term stress. There can be a situation that can be intimidating for a person to deal with. Chronic stress can put you in a state of drug addiction. 

In addition, it can bring more mental health issues as it is known that a healthy mind can lead to a healthy body. Chronic stress harms the part of your brain responsible for memorization and learning. When there are unrealistic deadlines, it makes people rush to try to meet the deadlines that aren’t doable. Moreover, more things add stress levels to an employee’s life.

  • Insufficient workload
  • Stringent company policies
  • Job insecurity
  • Long hours
  • Lack of work-life balance
  • A person might be the sole caretaker of their family, and the pressure they have related to their job is high. An individual wants to fulfill the obligations of taking care of their loved ones, and with a lack of work-life balance, they cannot perform well at their job.

Tips to Prevent Stress and Addiction

According to National Institute on Drug Abuse, stress management has been linked with an individual’s control over preventing alcohol or drug use relapse. You can manage work stress with the help of showing consistency and focusing on your health. The development of addiction is linked with stress.

When you are under distress, your adrenal glands receive the released hormone cortisol into your bloodstream, and with the stress hormones, you are more likely to feel distressed. You can apply certain habits such as meditation, exercise, more focus on goals to excel, and changing routines to cope with the stress that leads to addiction.

Developing Healthy Routine

When it is about bringing a positive change in your life, you can get more changes to your life, such as changes in routine. Changing orientation to healthy activities can help you benefit from it in the long run. When your day flows well, your mind will be at ease, and you will cope with stress conveniently at the workplace.

Turn to A Support Group

Everyone who undergoes an addiction or stress wants emotional support that can upsurge their belief in themselves. Therefore, it is intrinsic for those to join a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous to join 12 -step groups and get the affirmations of spirituality to eliminate heavy amounts of stress and addiction.

Treatment Options

When the stress-induced addiction worsens, an individual must seek the best treatment. A positive attitude towards the treatment program can help you recover fastidiously. Although, the time of recovery depends upon the length of addiction. 

When people get into the habit, it starts by abusing prescription medications such as anti-depressants and depressants like alcohol, putting them on the verge of more trouble. The Haven has suitable behavioral therapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help you with such issues.

Moreover, substance abuse treatment includes inpatient care followed by detoxification. A residential treatment plan gives intensive care to the patient to help him to get a recovery that can help with sobriety down the road. You will receive the best treatment options when you rely on The Haven.

signs of stress

Frequently Asked Questions

How does stress affect addiction?

Some people may have a genetic predisposition against addictive substances, but some have stress issues. Some people are prone to addiction due to high-stress levels. All those who deal with stress face issues like addiction to drugs.

Is stress a risk factor for addiction?

Stress is the most crucial risk factor that can lead to vulnerability to substance addiction and addiction relapse. A series of population studies have identified peculiar stressors and individual-level variables that predict drug use and alcohol abuse.

How does anxiety lead to addiction?

Some people with mental health issues also self-medicate with the use of substances like alcohol which worsens their mental health and puts them in chronic health issues. In the start, when they ingest opiates or use alcohol, they feel relaxed, but it is problematic in the long run.

The Haven Helps You Recover From Stress and Addiction

The Haven provides comprehensive treatment for patients with substance use and alcohol use disorders that they go through due to stressors or other factors. Additionally, in medically supervised detox, we offer different behavioral therapies in a residential setting and aftercare services. 

We also specialize in trauma-focused CBT and dual diagnosis therapy to treat your stress and addiction effectively. We help you get a successful recovery. Contact us at (561) 328-8627 to learn more about our services.

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