It might be common knowledge that a person who cannot manage
stress in his or her life might turn to drugs and alcohol as a means to cope.
However, research also indicates that a person who has endured chronic stress
as a result of challenging experiences in childhood might also come to rely
upon substances as a means to find nurturance and relief. This article will
explore the relationship between chronic stress and substance use.
Challenging experiences in childhood does not predict
addiction. However, there is an association between those who experienced
excessive and chronic stress, such as experiencing a childhood trauma and the
use of drugs and alcohol. Experts have found that prolonged stress in childhood
can permanently alter the hormonal stress response, causing a person to respond
differently to certain stressful situations subsequently in his or her life. And
this new way of responding to life's stressful circumstances can include the
consumption of alcohol and/or use of drugs.
In fact, research has tested this on animals, which has
demonstrated that there is a relationship between childhood experiences,
stress, and vulnerability to substance use. For instance, babies monkey who
were raised by those other than their mothers consume twice as much alcohol as
those monkeys who were raised by their mothers. Also, rats who were handled
during the first three weeks of their life demonstrate a significant reduction
in the stress hormone response later in their adulthood, compared with rats who
were not handled during their early life.
When a person must endure a significant amount of stress in
their early life, they tend to not have the inner resources to soothe
themselves, and thus, they will be more likely to turn to external resources in
order to calm themselves. One of these external resources for many people with
a history of trauma is drugs and alcohol. As you can imagine, the relationship
between chronic stress and substance use becomes stronger if a person does not
have healthy coping tools or a network of support to rely upon.
There is certainly a clear association between chronic
stress and substance use. However, even the anticipation of a stressful event
can be triggering for someone, and commonly, people will drink or use
substances during a stressful
situation. Furthermore, stressful events are not the same for everyone. One
person might find finances stressful while others might find that loneliness is
what triggers them.
There are many individuals who have experienced difficult
life circumstances who are also alcoholics or addicts. Many of them will report
that it was those challenging events that contribute to their addiction. This
again reinforces the relationship between chronic stress and addiction.
Fortunately, there are ways to assist a person who is struggling with past life
events and alcoholism or drug addiction. For instance, ensuring that there is
adequate support in one's life, learning new coping tools, participating in
therapy to address past trauma, and working with one's thoughts and beliefs are
all ways to facilitate sustained sobriety.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction,
contact a mental health provider for assistance.
