Alcohol & Stress

Special concerns for recovering alcoholics  | How to avoid abusing alcohol when stressed

Coping psychologically and emotionally with the stresses of our busy lives is a challenge.
Chronic stress can trigger or exacerbate alcohol abuse problems.
Its important not to use alcohol in response to a stressful situation or event.
Research indicates that stressful events may profoundly influence the use of alcohol.

There are several risk factors for abuse of alcohol in reaction to stress

Using alcohol to cope.
Experiencing the stressful event of feeling as severe, chronic, intense, or unavoidable.
Lack of social support or other resources for helping to cope with stressful events
or feelings.
Having a family history of drinking in response to stress.
Believing that alcohol will help to reduce stress.
Having unhealthy or other problematic drinking behavior preceding the stressful event or feeling.
Feeling or having no control over the stressful event or feeling.
Trying to avoid or numb feelings in reaction to the stressful event.

Among abstinent alcoholics, personally threatening, severe, and chronic life
stressors may lead to alcohol relapse.
An alcoholic may resume the use of alcohol after a lengthy period of abstinence
to try to lessen the stressful feelings.
Those most vulnerable to relapse tend to be alcoholic persons who have low levels
of coping skills, self-efficacy, and social support.

Get screened and/or evaluated for an alcohol problem, online at services like Alcohol Screening, or in our office.

Learn what constitutes at-risk levels of drinking.

For a man, less than 14 standard drinks a week or 2 per day on average. No more than four during any single event.
For a woman, less than 7 standard drinks a week or 1 drink a day, on average. No more than two during any single event.