Economy Problems Can Trigger Drug Addiction Relapse

Have you been worried about the US and world economies the last few weeks?  You and just about everyone else.  People with a history of drug and alcohol addiction are vulnerable right now.  With widespread worry and economic problems piling up each day, anyone at risk for addiction or addiction relapse needs to take a good look at how they will weather this storm.

Money Worries Make People Want To Escape With Drugs And Alcohol

The economy is at the center of everyone’s financial prosperity, security, and trust in leadership.  When the economy has big problems, it’s hard to find anyone who is untouched by fear and worry.  This level of concern can trigger alcohol and drug addiction problems that have been lying dormant or in remission for a while. 

Small worries grow into bigger worries.  Bigger worries grow into fear.  Fear grows into panic.  Before long, a person drowning in stress and anxiety can’t take it anymore.  Do they turn to healthy coping skills like exercise and talking to friends, or do they turn to unhealthy choices drugs and alcohol?  It all depends on the person. 

President Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  There are some real things to fear in the world, but it’s also true that fear fuels more fear even when the triggers themselves haven’t increased.  For a person with a vulnerable personality or drug addiction history, the cycle can spin out of control quickly.

How To Prevent Addiction Relapse In This Bad Economy

First, figure out what you can control and start there.  You as an individual can’t do much about the ups and downs of the stock market, but you can control what feeds your emotions.  For women in particular, research shows that drug addiction gets footholds through emotional pathways.  This is a critical fact to keep at the center of an addiction relapse prevention plan.  Keep the emotional reactions and fluctuations in good balance, and the risk for relapse or beginning a new addiction remains small. 

Here are some ideas for controlling your emotional condition during these uncertain times. 

1 – Control your in-flow of information.  If watching the news gets you nervous, shut it off or throw out the newspaper.  Check it once a day, every other day, or whatever amount is helpful.  The point is to reduce the amount of stress-inducing information your brain has to process.  Let your brain rest and process information without overloading it.

2 – Keep a short list of healthy coping skills that work for you.  These should be simple things like taking a walk, doing a favorite hobby, talking to a friend, etc.   When you are becoming stressed and feel like you can’t think straight, check your list and just follow the directions.  You’ll feel refreshed and less focused on the stressful emotions.  When you are calm, you can take a look at your bigger financial picture if needed. 

3 – Don’t make important decisions about your finances when you are highly emotional.  Emotions can take you places your common sense wouldn’t let you go.   If action needs to be taken with finances or business issues, be sure you have someone else you trust to calmly talk you through it.  You may act hastily if your emotions take over, and a disasterous result may push you quickly towards addiction relapse.

Deal With Addiction Relapse By Going To Drug Rehab

If you find that you’ve slipped into a serious addiction relapse, just stop and take a breath.  There is hope at The Orchid Recovery for Women.  Call them and they will help you get started with drug rehab for women.