Every year, women around the world experience life events, which are significant events that change a woman’s unique situation. While these events can be enjoyable and exciting, they can also be incredibly stressful. Unfortunately, as a result of these high levels of stress, these events may significantly impact a woman’s alcohol addiction. As a result, if you’re battling an addiction to alcohol and about to experience a significant life event, we recommend that you get the treatment you need at our women’s treatment center. To learn more about how our women’s addiction treatment center can help women manage significant life events, contact Crossroads Maine today at 877.978.1667.

How Can Life Events Impact Your Alcohol Addiction

Life events can take a variety of different forms. For instance, you might be about to get married or celebrating the arrival of a new baby. Conversely, you may have experienced a death in the family, or you may be moving to a new home. Each situation brings its own challenges and stresses, which can be challenging to navigate by one’s self. Unfortunately, for a woman also battling an alcohol addiction, these events may encourage her to turn to higher levels of alcohol.

The change does not happen overnight. One may choose to have a drink once a week to cope with a life event or situation. However, as life becomes more and more stressful, they may drink more often. They may quickly find that they can’t go to bed at night without having a nightcap, and they may not be able to feel truly awake in the morning without a drink. Soon, they may lose focus on their life event and, instead, turn their attention to when they can get their next drink. This situation indicates that the person struggling with their alcohol use no longer in control, and it’s time to seek help.

How Stress and Alcohol Interact

When you experience stress during life events, your body shifts its normal processes into high gear as it releases adrenaline into your systems. This targets your organs and implements your body’s fight-or-flight response. This increases your body’s energy levels, as well as your glucose levels and nutrient supplies. You may also experience a spike in your cortisol levels, which will soon rapidly decrease once the life event is over.
However, if you abuse alcohol to deal with stress, it alters your brain chemistry, which changes what your body thinks is normal. Alcohol prevents your body from resetting, which can wear your body out, increasing your risk of serious disease.

Managing Stress Without Alcohol

If you don’t already have an alcohol addiction, it’s critical to manage your stress without turning to alcohol use. There is a range of ways that you can overcome your stress, including:

Take a walk: Taking a walk to get your head on straight may seem like a cliche, but it truly works. If you’re going through a major life event and you feel stressed, take five or ten minutes and go for a quick walk. You’ll find that the tasks are more manageable than they seemed before.
Keep a journal: Getting your thoughts and feelings out using a journal can be a great stress-reliever. Furthermore, in years to come, you might be glad that you had this journal to remind you about the challenges you overcame.
Sing or listen to music: Music is extremely therapeutic. If you find yourself overwhelmed, listening to some relaxing music and singing along may be just what you need.

If you’re already battling an alcohol addiction, these tips may not be enough for you. You may need the help of our women’s addiction treatment center to help you.