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Why drugs are not the best for stress relief

Stress relief is of the utmost importance in today’s society where we are constantly busy as a way of life and may not take enough time to restore our energies. Drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, as well as recreational drugs like cocaine, speed, ecstasy, and tranquilizers, have become pain relievers by default. The following article will explain why those options are not the best for dealing with stress effectively.

The moment of effect

Drugs, like the ones mentioned above, mostly have a short-term effect in relaxing the body, mind, and emotions. This means that they seem to work seemingly well, as the effect can be noticed almost immediately and perceived stress relief comes on quickly. The truth is that as fast as these drugs work, so fast is the time until the effect wears off. The side effects of some medications, such as a hangover or tiredness, will make you less able to deal with the causes of stress, which have not been addressed.

physical side effects

As mentioned above, all drugs have side effects. People who have become addicted to these drugs initially overlook or downplay these side effects and justify their use. With regular drug use, the body gets used to the biochemical effect and craves it. Smoking, for example, helps suppress emotions. That’s why people smoke when it comes to important decisions or after an emotionally stressful meeting. Alcohol has become so socially acceptable and cool that it’s almost a requirement to fit into certain circles. Smoking, as we know, causes physical illnesses such as emphysema, heart disease or lung cancer, and generally increases blood pressure. These are just two examples of the side effects of drugs, which make you less able to deal with the stress you thought you were relieving with drugs.

Mental and emotional side effects

In addition to dealing with the original cause of stress, dealing with addictions adds another level of stress. Tranquilizers or sleeping pills, for example, allow you to sleep and rest physically, but they do not support those sleep cycles that help you restore and digest the problems of the day on an emotional and mental level.

Also, your thought patterns will be affected in a way that suggests you have more drugs and justifies your use: ‘It’s only for a short period’ or ‘I’ll stop in a week after the hard part is over’. From there, he will have to deal with guilt, self-punishment, and low self-esteem and self-confidence. Again, all of these effects will undermine his natural ability to deal with the normal stresses of life.

Whatever drugs you are currently using and whatever justification you are giving yourself, in the end you are not dealing with the cause of the stress yourself and you are not doing yourself any favors or allowing yourself to deal better with the stress.

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