Due to Stress, Recovering Addicts Could Succumb to Cravings

A new research says that if you are a recovering addict, ignoring stress could lead you to succumb to cravings.

"Cravings are a strong predictor of relapse. The goal of this study is to predict the variation in substance craving in a person on a within-day basis. Because recovery must be maintained 'one day at a time,' researchers have to understand it on the same daily level," said H. Harrington Cleveland, associate professor of human development, Penn State.

Researchers say that the way addicts cope with stress- either by working through a problem or avoiding it determines whether they will experience cravings. And cravings double for recovering addicts who cope with stress by avoiding it.

The study was conducted amongst 55 college students, who were in recovery from substance abuse. They were asked to record the their daily cravings for alcohol and other drugs, as well as the intensity of negative social experiences.

"When faced with stress, addicts who have more adaptive coping skills appear to have a better chance of staying in recovery," explained Cleveland.

According to Cleveland, the findings suggest the impulse to avoid stress is never going to help recovering addicts because stressful experiences cannot be avoided.

The findings appeared in a recent issue of Addictive Behaviors.

Source: ANI