Financial issues, relationship problems, stress at work, healthcare issues—life can be full of stress that makes us want to run away and hide. When stressful situations arise, people often look for ways to escape them. We can cope with stress in a variety of ways. Some of the ways are healthy, adaptive, and effective. Other ways, such as using substances to dull the stress or provide a mental escape, can lead to even bigger problems that cause more stress later. Research suggests that stress is the leading cause of relapse for people struggling with addiction.
One of the most important aspects of successful addiction recovery is learning how to identify and cope with stress without using substances. It can be a lot of work and requires an ongoing commitment to the goal of sobriety and overall health. Many people in recovery need help to learn about positive stress management techniques. They benefit from the education and support of therapists and other mental health professionals. Mental health treatment programs and ongoing care are important for helping people achieve sobriety and maintain it for life.
If you struggle with mental health or addiction issues, there is help available to you. The staff at the Atlanta Center for Mental Health are ready to help you take the first step towards recovery. Call today at 833.625.0458 or fill out an online intake form to learn more about our residential mental health center.
Mental Health Recovery and Addiction
Mental health and addiction recovery are linked. If someone does not have the tools to manage the symptoms of their mental health issues, they are more likely to use substances to help them cope.
Some of the problems that arise from substance use, such as financial issues, job loss, and strained relationships, can create stressful situations that people in treatment need to manage while working to maintain their sobriety. Aftercare or ongoing counseling and support are essential parts of successful mental health and addiction recovery programs.
Understanding Stress Triggers
Part of learning to manage stress is learning what might trigger a stress reaction. Understanding the signs of stress is important so that you can identify which situations trigger this reaction. When we are faced with a stressful situation, every system of our body is affected. Our brains release hormones that activate our “fight or flight” response.
While this response is helpful when we are in truly life-threatening circumstances, it is exhausting to our body when it happens over and over again. The more often people experience stress, the more likely they are to seek ways to escape it. Some people self-medicate with substances if they do not have the skills to manage stress in a healthy way. The first step is identifying when you feel stressed.
Common signs of stress are:
- Muscle tension
- Headache
- Chest pain or tightness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Memory or concentration problems
- Appetite changes
- Irritability
- Sleep changes
By identifying commons signs and stress triggers, you can better understand how to mitigate and avoid them in the future.
Learn More About Stress Management
If you or a loved one needs supportive mental health or addiction recovery care, contact the Atlanta Center for Mental Health staff. Our programs include:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- PTSD treatment program
- Group therapy program
- Anxiety treatment program
- Bipolar treatment program
- Depression treatment program
Overcoming Stress Starts with Mental Health Counseling
Find out how stress management can help you on your addiction recovery journey. Our staff will walk the rest of the way with you, but you have to take that first step and call 833.625.0458 or fill out an online intake form today.
