Lesson 10: Exercise And Relapse Prevention - Slide 12





The Evidence: Stress And Relapse Are Linked
- Research shows that stress increases vulnerability to drug use and dependence
- Because the brain circuits that respond to drugs and those that respond to stress overlap:
- Stress increases cravings for alcohol and drugs
- Increased stress can increase drug-seeking behavior and relapse
- Teens who are directly threatened with violence or witness threats of violence are more likely to use drugs as a stress coping strategy
- People exposed to chronic stress are more likely to use alcohol and drugs and more likely to relapse
Notes:
Page 58, “Teens , Under the Influence, The Truth About Kids, Alcohol, and Other Dugs – How to Recognize the Problem and What to Do About It”, Ketcham and Nicholas A Pace, M.D., Random House Publishing, 2003