Chapter 1

Survey
write down all forms of alcohol and drugs
that you can think of
now write down all forms of stress
relievers beside alcohol and drugs
which list is longer?
this should make everyone aware of the
need to be educated about alcohol &
drugs and stress & anxiety

How stress influences unhealthy

behaviors
Research and population surveys show that
persons under stress, particularly chronic stress,
tend to exhibit unhealthy behaviors
People under stress drink more alcohol, smoke
more, and eat less nutritious food
The amount of substance abuse in response to
stress is directly related to the severity of the life
stressors and the lack of social support

Common Scenarios of the misuse of

alcohol & drugs that increase stress

Drinking before a test day

neg. effects: hangover, lack of concentration, oversleeping
Escalated arguments with friends, significant others, family, and
random bystanders
neg. effects: over-exaggeration, irrationality, physical
confrontations

Impaired decision making skills

neg. effects: unwanted sexual encounters, drunk driving, binge
eating

Skipping class / work, missing obligations

neg. effects: being fired, falling behind, disappointing others

Masking stress with alcohol &

drugs is NOT the answer
Do not sabotage yourself
Downward spiral: leads to further depression
one may engage in behaviors that they will regret the next
day

Feelings after a night of substance abuse

fatigue, lack of patience, hangover, health issues (ex.
dehydration)

FACT: Approximately 14 million Americans meet

the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or
alcoholism

Prescription drugs and stress

Who it effects
Effects of abuse
impairments in thinking
feeling
actions

Drugs most likely abused

sedative-hypnotic
opiod
pain killers

cont.
Withdrawals
sedative-hypnotic
opiods
pain killers

Treatment

Related responses to specific drugs

Alcohol
has depressive properties
acute alcohol withdrawal may induce an anxiety
disorder
various degrees of anxiety ranging from panic to
generalized anxiety can last for 3-12 months after
cessation of drinking
Cocaine and psychostimulants
may produce manifestations of anxiety
more commonly used drugs such as caffeine and
nicotine also produce anxiety symptoms

cont.
Cannibis
anxiety usually occurs at high doses
effects include anxiety, the fear of losing control or going crazy,
depersonalization, and derealization
symptoms can be experienced by individuals with no preexisting
psychopathology as well as those that have a history of erratic or
maladaptive behavior
episodes usually occur in individuals with preexisting anxiety
about drug use, especially novice users or in experienced users
who have taken more than there usual dose.

PCP and Other Hallucinogens

may acutely produce anxiety and panic depending on individual
in some patients, low level symptoms such as depersonalization
and derealization may persist beyond the acute intoxication

Healthy Alternatives to drugs &

alcohol
Sports
ex. yoga, pilates, going to the gym, exercising
outdoors

Meditation
Getting a massage, pampering yourself
Laughing, socializing
Aromatherapy
and?