Tension can be a difficult thing to address in recovery. It pops up unexpectedly and may linger for a while, depending on what is going on. The hidden signs of stress left unaddressed, can become triggers to use substances or some other means of coping. Even for people who have been in recovery awhile, stress may seem manageable, until it is not. Learn how to bust signs of stress for what they are and address them head-on.
Clenched Jaw
Some people find their jaws get tight and teeth will hurt under stress. Grinding teeth at night or during the day can be a sign of bruxism. This means a person is grinding their teeth or clenching their jaw. A visit to the dentist can confirm this and offer solutions like a night guard for comfort and some psychological support on dealing with stressors causing the issue.
Forgetfulness
When it comes to stress, nothing is more disturbing than forgetting things. With the onset of Alzheimer’s and Dementia in people who are younger than the average age, people may start to worry if they are literally losing their minds. This fear can elevate stress in the body and increase memory loss, as well. Forgetting things, walking into a room and forgetting why you are there, and not being able to process experiences can be a sign too much is going on. When life is too busy, people need down time to recuperate. Write down everything going on in the moment and see what can be scaled back to give way for some mental space to slow down and rest.
Adrenal Fatigue
The adrenal glands can get burned out from too much stress. With stress comes increased stress hormones, which burn out the adrenals over time. The adrenals also regulate fluids and electrolytes. With drops in these levels, people can become dehydrated. Adrenal fatigue is one situation where dehydration may become dangerous if the person does not understand them are not drinking enough water. Some signs are more hidden while others may feel more obvious (like sore jaw from clenching teeth). It often helps to talk with loved ones or a therapist to see if they think anything is going on. What one person experiences and a third party sees may provide insight that isn’t obvious when dealing with it every day. Sometimes people get used to a certain way of doing things and don’t realize they can make positive changes that will have a lasting impact on their lives. People in recovery need to find time to rest and reset their body clocks because it can be immensely stressful to deal with so much all at once. Finding time to practice self-care is key to having a long, healthy recovery.
Your addiction is not over when you decide to enter rehab. That is the beginning of a new journey of discovery. Our goal is to help you navigate recovery with the tools you need to feel successful coping with stressors and other factors that will impact your life post rehab. We are located in beautiful Laguna Beach. Call us to find out how we can help you navigate addiction recovery: 888-981-4295
