Stress is inevitable in this life. Whether you’re going for a job interview, you must give a public speech, or you are going to get test results from your doctor; these are all situations that can cause worry and tension. Many people don’t know how to deal with the constant stressors they have, and they turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. Frequently, individuals are in an abusive relationship, have unruly children, or there are family dynamics that make their home life chaotic rather than blissful.
<h2>The Two Categories of Stress</h2>
Stress can be divided into two categories, which are short-term and long-term. The short-term stress makes you feel ill or like you cannot focus. You may experience things like a headache or an upset stomach. Usually, the feeling passes once you are removed from the situation. With long-term stress, like that of a troubled home life, it leads to serious health issues.
If you live with an alcoholic, you have a child that has special medical needs, or there is some other unusual situation in your home, then it may be the underlying cause of your drug-seeking behaviors. Can an outpatient treatment center help you with such matters?
<h2>Outpatient Versus Inpatient Treatment</h2>
When it comes to drug and alcohol treatment programs, you have two varieties in which to choose. An inpatient treatment center is for those people who are in immediate danger. They have a drug or alcohol problem that threatens their life or safety, and they need to get help now. Outpatient treatment centers focus on those who have an issue, but they are still an active member of society.
The clients at these centers often have jobs and families that prevent them from checking into a facility for intensive therapy. Both programs have advantages. However, you will get more hands-on-help and specialized services in inpatient. Though outpatient services offer the same services on a smaller scale.
<h2>Counseling Services</h2>
Case managers and counselors are found in both types of rehabilitation facilities. They work with you to identify triggers of your drug and alcohol abuse, and they devise a plan of how to handle these situations when they arise. Recent studies show that the brain of people exposed to severe stress is more likely to become dependent on drugs and alcohol than someone who is not in such duress?
Also, stress is one of the biggest reasons why people fall back into old habits of self-medicating. The goal is to help you change the situation so that you can get clean and won’t relapse.
<h2>Why Stress Must Be Addressed</h2>
Research shows that stress can cause changes in the brain, which are similar to the alterations caused by drugs. It’s easy to see why people who are stressed out all the time become more susceptible to drug or alcohol addiction. Some individuals are more hypersensitive to stress than others.
The brain has a mechanism built in that helps to remember and learn from past experiences. It’s called long-term potentiation or LPT for short. Studies have proven that when a person takes drugs, the LPT activates and remembers the calming effects. The study also showed that the brain recognizes the uncomfortable feelings caused by stress, and it alters the reception.
<h2>Outpatient Teaching</h2>
When you enroll in an outpatient treatment center, you will learn tips and tricks for survival in life. Getting clean is the easy part; it’s staying clean that is so hard. One of the most important things you will learn is how to manage your stress levels, but it’s going to take practice. You need to eat healthily, get plenty of exercises, sleep six to eight hours each day, and focus on one thing at a time.
Life has a way of pulling you in 100 different directions. However, you must learn how to calm yourself when faced with stress that seem unbearable. You will learn how to use breathing exercises that can help to deflate situations and keep you calm. If someone in your home starts an argument, you must walk away. It’s not going to be easy to retrain your brain and learn new habits, but it can be done.
Outpatient treatment centers have limited time with you. If you need intensive help, it’s always best to opt for an inpatient center. However, getting some sort of help is still better than doing nothing. If you need help finding a center that can accommodate your needs and your schedule, then call one of our operators at 1-800-123-4567. Our trained counselors are compassionate. They can answer your questions while pointing you in the right direction for help.