Most people encounter stress at least occasionally. Some, however, face chronic stress, which can lead to drug or alcohol abuse. During Stress Awareness Month, individuals are encouraged to seek treatment before they develop a more serious issue such as drug dependency. Here is some information about this annual event, including how you can get involved.
What is Stress Awareness Month?
First observed in 1992, Stress Awareness Month occurs every year in April. The International Stress Management Association (ISMA) first established it, but multiple other groups have become involved over the years. Those who observe it include health centers, schools, churches, and community organizations.
These groups will share information on topics such as how to recognize stress and provide resources for gaining control of it. Individuals are also encouraged to talk with others about their stress and to seek help from an anxiety treatment program if necessary.
How Can I Get Involved?
To participate in Stress Awareness Month, you do not have to join a group. Some ways in which you can become involved on your own include:
- Learning to recognize signs of stress in yourself or others
- Looking for ways to minimize anxiety
- Taking part in a soothing activity such as a nature walk
- Practicing deep breathing exercises to help you relax
- Visiting a mental health professional if your stress is too much to handle on your own
Stress Awareness Month is also a time when you should evaluate your drug and alcohol use. Think about whether you frequently use them to help you manage anxiety. Are you reaching for illicit substances at the first sign of stress? Do you feel nervous or jittery when you cannot take certain drugs? If so, it’s time to seek treatment at Crestview Recovery.
Programs at Crestview Recovery
If you’re concerned about your mental health after learning more during Stress Awareness Month, then Crestview Recovery can help. We offer a variety of programs designed not only to eliminate stress, but to help you overcome addiction. A few of these programs are:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Mental health treatment
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
By coming to Crestview Recovery, you’ll learn there are other ways to manage your stress aside from using drugs. We hope you’ll find these skills useful at preventing relapse as well. That’s why we also provide you with a strong aftercare program. We want you to achieve sobriety and then remain that way for life.
Our center provides a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere. In this environment, we can ensure that you feel comfortable enough to participate in treatment fully. Clients are also more likely to stay when they feel at home, rather than in a hospital.
Learn the Connection between Stress and Drug Use
During Stress Awareness Month, people often learn the connection between anxiety and their substance use problem. Many will seek help from a professional treatment center such as Crestview Recovery. We welcome everyone, regardless of their source of stress. Please contact us at 8662620531 to learn more.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
