It’s not a mystery: stress makes us vulnerable to addiction and relapse. In the most general sense, stress is the bodily reaction to any type of obstacle or demand that life throws at us: both concrete and abstract. Like most other states during the pandemic, South Carolina saw spikes in the general population’s stress levels. We know now that many people leave jobs due to stress, American women are generally more stressed than men, and that the stress levels in America continually rise. Stress isn’t going anywhere, and we need to learn how to manage it in healthy ways.
Daily stressors—hectic family life, job-related stress and triggers, and romantic relationship strain—can be enough to push anyone over the edge. However, there are also deeper, more chronic types of stress that can make addiction and substance use disorder (SUD) more probable, like early-life stress, childhood abuse, and emotionally immature parenting. Check out the list below for a brief breakdown of different types of stress.
Emotional Stress Examples
- Interpersonal conflicts like arguments with friends, family, business partners, or employers
- A breakup or a breakdown of a friendship or business partnership
- The death of someone close to you
- The death of a child in your family or a family friend’s circle
- Watching a friend or family member succumb to addiction
Physical/Bodily Stress Examples
- Frequent hunger or food deprivation in many cases of political oppression and poverty
- Lack of rest or sleep deprivation and insomnia
- Experiencing hyper or hypothermia
- Experiencing a state of drug/substance withdrawal
- Frequent drug and alcohol consumption and SUD
In Waypoint Recovery Center’s residential addiction treatment program and intensive outpatient services, it’s common for us to see our clients and residents suffer from both acute stress and chronic stress before they come to us and throughout the detox and initial adjustment periods of their treatment.
Acute stress is a short-term state. It occurs when you suddenly have to brake while driving, find yourself in a verbal altercation with a stranger, or in times of danger. Chronic stress occurs over time due to issues like poverty, a failing marriage, or intense periods of work or study. We also frequently see cases of extreme fatigue and exhaustion, which are related to high-stress levels.
Stress-Induced Fatigue and Exhaustion
Stress-induced fatigue, and exhaustion are distinct issues that relate to each other.
We have a working definition of stress, but what is stress-induced fatigue? It occurs when stress is so high for so long that it causes an extreme state of low energy that stops a person from performing their typical daily activities. When we suffer from fatigue, we may feel slow, heavy, run-down, or weak perpetually.
Exhaustion develops when that fatigue accumulates, causing extreme energy loss that results in someone being virtually unable to respond to their environment. Exhaustion can also cause the following symptoms:
- Apathy
- Cognitive issues like trouble forming and expressing thoughts
- Chronic drowsiness
- Loss of focus, concentration, or motivation
What Are The Lesser-Known Stress Symptoms ofStress and Exhaustion?
If you and your loved ones can build awareness around the typical and lesser-known stress symptoms, you’ll be better equipped to reach out for help when necessary, notice the warning signs of relapse, and engage in relaxation techniques. Here are some of the often unrecognized stress symptoms:
- Issues with memory and focus
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Pain in your lower back or tightness in your neck, shoulders, or jaw
- Stomach issues like heartburn, diarrhea, or general stomach discomfort
- Insomnia
- Irritability, spikes in anger, and mood swings
In any situation, it’s helpful to understand how stress can manifest. This knowledge is especially useful in recovery because these more subtle indicators can make or break a strong sober streak. Understanding stress ups your chances of squashing a relapse before it happens.
Manage Stress and Exhaustion with Waypoint Recovery Center in Cameron and North Charleston
Whether you need more insight into stress and the role it plays in addiction and recovery, or if you’re simply curious about how stress changes the body, don’t hesitate to contact us today! We have plenty of resources that will support you in staying motivated throughout recovery. Sobriety is deeply rewarding, but it can be stressful, which is why Waypoint is dedicated to providing tools to all of our community members that help them define, recognize, and mitigate stress.
