In today’s world, stress feels unavoidable. Deadlines, bills, social pressures, and world events all add up. Stress can be caused by many factors, including both external and internal sources. Someone can feel stressed due to a life event, ongoing worries, or even personal expectations.
At Recovery Zone LA, we understand how chronic stress can take a toll on both mental and physical health. While short-term stress is a normal part of life, prolonged or chronic stress can wear down the mind and body over time, leading to serious emotional and physical consequences.
Definition of Chronic Stress
Chronic stress is the continuous activation of the body’s stress response, which is part of the body’s overall stress response system. This system involves the nervous system and triggers various physiological reactions, like the release of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. This is all to help people respond to immediate threats in their environment. However, when stressors persist for weeks or months (without psychological rest), these systems within the body remain on high alert.
Over time, this constant activation leads to wear and tear on the person’s body, sometimes called “allostatic load.” Chronic stress can interfere with sleep, digestion, immune function, mood, and even brain structure. It can also diminish a person’s ability to cope with daily challenges. It can impair the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation. Long-term stress can be linked to increased risk for heart disease, substance abuse, and other conditions.
The most harmful effects of chronic stress occur when short-term pressure becomes a constant state of tension and the body can no longer return to balance. Traumatic experiences, especially those that occur in childhood, can also increase the risk of developing chronic stress. However, each person’s experience with chronic stress is unique.
Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Stress
Now that we’ve defined what chronic stress is, let’s look at how it shows up in daily life. Chronic stress affects everyone differently, but symptoms tend to show up across four main areas: physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral. Recognizing these signs early can help prevent more serious health issues.
If left unaddressed, these symptoms can escalate, impacting every aspect of a person’s life. The negative effects of chronic stress can significantly impair a person’s ability to function in daily life. Stress impacts cognitive function, mental health, and overall well-being more than people can realize when times are not stressful.
Physical symptoms may include:
- Persistent headaches or migraines
- Muscle tension, especially in the neck, shoulders, and back
- Muscle pain
- Digestive issues such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or other digestive problems
- Elevated heart rate or blood pressure, which can lead to high blood pressure over time
- Trouble sleeping
- Frequent colds or infections due to lowered immunity
- Unexplained fatigue or low energy levels
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns, such as weight gain
Chronic stress can significantly impact psychological well-being, leading to a range of emotional and cognitive symptoms that may include:
- Feeling constantly overwhelmed or anxious
- Feeling stressed in response to daily challenges or life events
- Irritability, anger, or frequent mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Difficulties with emotional processing (which can make it harder to manage emotional responses)
- Loss of motivation or interest in activities once enjoyed
- A sense of hopelessness or helplessness
- Increased worrying or racing thoughts
Behavioral symptoms may include:
- Withdrawing from social interactions
- Decreased work performance or procrastination
- Turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms regularly, such as drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana
- Neglecting responsibilities or personal hygiene
- Changes in eating habits (such as overeating or undereating)
- Trouble managing time or emotions effectively.
Utilizing self-help strategies and focusing on managing stress can be crucial in developing healthier coping mechanisms and preventing further difficulties. If left unaddressed, these symptoms can escalate, impacting every aspect of a person’s life. This can include relationships, work, and long-term health.
Chronic stress is not “just in your head.” It can have measurable biological effects on the body. Learning to manage stress is key to preventing the escalation of these symptoms and supporting overall well-being.
How Chronic Stress Relates to Addiction
Chronic stress can increase vulnerability to addiction, especially in people who already have a family history of addiction or other predisposing factors. Research has found that stress is one of the most powerful triggers for substance use and relapse. Elevated stress levels increase vulnerability to addiction by impacting both physical and mental health, making it crucial to address stress as part of comprehensive care.
When someone experiences long-term stress, their brain’s reward and emotional regulation systems can become imbalanced. Substances like alcohol, opioids, or stimulants can temporarily relieve tension or anxiety, creating a sense of calm or escape. Over time, however, this can develop into a cycle of addiction where the brain begins to rely on substances for relief. Effective stress management is essential for protecting physical and mental health during recovery.
How Chronic Stress Can Contribute to Addiction
Stress increases substance use, and substance use increases stress on the body and mind. Breaking this cycle requires more than willpower. For most people, it requires professional treatment and emotional support.
- Self-Medication: People under chronic stress may turn to substance abuse to numb negative emotions or find temporary relief.
- Changes in Brain Chemistry: Prolonged stress alters brain regions involved in decision-making and reward, increasing the appeal of substances that provide quick dopamine release. Chronic stress can also impair the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for thought, decision-making, and emotional regulation. This reduces a person’s ability to make healthy decisions and maintain self-control.
- Cortisol and Cravings: Elevated cortisol levels (a defining symptom of chronic stress) can increase cravings and make relapse more likely for those in recovery.
- Emotional Exhaustion: Chronic stress can deplete coping resources, leaving individuals more susceptible to seeking comfort through substances.
- Environmental Triggers: Stressful living or working environments can sustain both stress and addictive behaviors, often leading one to encourage the other.
Signs of Addiction (Any Substance)
Whether caused or worsened by stress, substance abuse often develops gradually. Both acute stress, which is a short-term reaction to immediate stressors, and chronic stress can contribute to the development of addiction. Understanding the warning signs of addiction can help identify when recreational use to “blow off steam” has become harmful use that can add to the stress of a person’s life.
Common signs of addiction include:
- Needing more of a substance to achieve the same effect (physical tolerance)
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Using substances to manage emotions or stress
- Engaging in risky behavior while under the influence
- Neglecting work, school, or family responsibilities
- Loss of interest in hobbies or social activities
- Sudden changes in sleep or appetite
- Increased secrecy or isolation
Psychological and emotional indicators may include:
- Feeling unable to stop using attempts, even after multiple attempts to do so
- Using despite negative consequences
- Rationalizing or minimizing substance use
- Extreme mood changes or irritability
- Feelings of anxiety, depression, or guilt associated with use
- Difficulty focusing or maintaining daily routines
Addiction isn’t about weakness or lack of control. It’s a medical condition that changes how the brain functions. When chronic stress is involved, the risk of addiction increases significantly, which makes integrated treatment crucial.
Receive Support at Recovery Zone LA
If you are living with chronic stress, struggling to manage it, or finding yourself turning to substances for relief, Recovery Zone LA offers a compassionate path forward. Our treatment programs focus on addressing the root causes of stress and addiction simultaneously, because healing one without the other often isn’t enough. Those who need support for mental health can learn how addiction interacts with their conditions and plan out health coping techniques.
At Recovery Zone LA, we understand how chronic stress can impact every area of life. Supporting mental well-being and using strategies to reduce stress, such as practicing mindfulness, are essential parts of our approach. Our mission is to help the people who come to us to build resilience, restore mental clarity, and regain control. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.