Stress is the body’s reaction to any change that requires a response or adjustment. Responses may include emotional, mental, or physical reactions. While stress is a normal part of life, it can also turn into a crippling mental disorder such as anxiety or depression. Therefore, it is important to identify the signs of stress and learn some stress management techniques that help you maintain balance in your life.
If you are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction as a result of too much stress, you may want to get help at an addiction treatment center. A dual diagnosis treatment program can help you manage the symptoms of stress while overcoming your addiction. For addiction and mental health treatment, contact Sunflower Wellness at 855.730.8825 today.

Fatigue

Stress can lead to emotional exhaustion. You may feel chronic fatigue if you feel overwhelmed by various challenges or problems in your life. You may believe that you have no control over your life or that you cannot balance all of life’s demands. This can cause you to feel exhausted. As a result, you may have trouble concentrating, eating, or sleeping.

Prescription Drug Abuse

If you have difficulty managing stress or anxiety, you may turn to a doctor for prescription medication. Doctors often prescribe benzodiazepines to treat anxiety, panic disorders, or insomnia. However, drugs such as Xanax, Klonopin, or Valium are highly addictive. Benzo addiction treatment programs can help if you have developed a benzo addiction and need to get off the medication.

Aches and Pains

When you feel threatened, your muscles tense up. Stress can put you in a situation where you always feel threatened by the challenges around you. Tense muscles may occur so often that you become unaware that they are tight. Your muscles may stay tense with no chance to relax. This can cause headaches, back and should pain, neck pain, and joint pain.

Health Problems

Chronic stress can cause a variety of health problems that include:

• High blood pressure
• Increased risk of diabetes
• Hormone imbalance
• Weak immune system
• Upset stomach or ulcers

Many of these problems slowly develop over time due to constant exposure to stressful situations. They occur as a body’s natural tendency to correct itself when you are stressed out.

Binge Drinking

Binge drinking often starts out as a drink here and there to relieve stress. You may come home from a hard day and pour a glass of wine to wind down. Eventually, a glass of wine turns into a frequent binge, which becomes a full-blown alcohol addiction. If things get out of control, you may need to visit a substance abuse treatment center to manage the stress and the drinking.

Depression or Anxiety

One of the most common signs of stress is depression. Severe stress over long periods can lead to clinical depression or anxiety. If you have trouble coping with challenges in your life, chronic stress can cause frequent bad moods, a decrease in energy, sleep problems, and conflict in relations – all of which can lead to anxiety or depression.

Stress Management Techniques

There are several ways that you can reduce stress in your life, including:

• Cutting back on responsibilities and obligations
• Improving your time management skills
• Eating healthier meals three times a day
• Getting eight hours of sleep per night
• Exercising or engaging in physical activity
• Trying mediation, yoga, or mindfulness

Treatment centers also offer dual diagnosis treatment programs to help you manage the signs of stress while recovering from an alcohol or drug addiction.

Learn More About the Signs of Stress at Sunflower Wellness Retreat

If you would like to learn more about the signs of stress, then contact Sunflower Wellness Retreat at 855.730.8825. We can help you learn how to manage stress as you overcome your addiction to drugs and alcohol.