SMART Recovery:  Stress relievers for urge control

by Julie Myers, PsyD

Volunteer Adviser, SMART Recovery San Diego

Have you ever thought about how much stress triggers your using?   Stress (and the resulting anxiety or anger) drives people to seek relief.   For many people, such stress means searching out relief with drugs and/or alcohol.   But there are other ways to relieve stress!  Here are just a few:

• Exercise.  Try a walk or even something with more exertion!
• Slow, regular breathing
• Call a friend and talk it out
• Make a plan for how you’ll deal with stressful events
• Develop coping statements to redirect yourself.
• Soothing music

Try some of your own brainstorming, make a list, and keep it handy.    When a stressful event occurs, you’ll be glad to have a list of alternatives to using!

Copyright 2011 Julie Myers, PysD:  Psychologist in San Diego.  All Rights Reserved.