What Is the Link Between Stress and Addiction?
Stress Isn’t Just an Emotion—It's a Pathway
Stress—from everyday challenges to overwhelming trauma—does more than affect how we feel in the moment. It plays a pivotal role in addiction, acting both as a trigger and a sustaining force.
At Star City Recovery Center, we understand that recovery isn’t just about managing substance use—it’s about healing the stress that fuels it. Here’s how stress and addiction are connected—and how we help break the cycle.
1. Stress Increases Addiction Risk and Relapse
Epidemiological studies show that both acute and chronic stress substantially raise the likelihood of developing addiction and spur relapse in recovery. Stressful life events frequently precede substance use and cravings.
2. Stress Hijacks the Brain’s Reward System
Stress activates brain pathways that dampen our sense of well-being while heightening craving responses. This makes substances appealing as a way to regain relief or control.
3. Addiction Fuels More Stress—Especially Through Cortisol
Alcohol and drug use can disrupt the stress-regulating systems in the brain, leading to higher cortisol levels, weakened self-control, and a physiological state primed for relapse.
4. Self-Medication: Using Substances to Manage Stress
Many people turn to addictive substances as a way to soothe anxiety, emotional pain, or unresolved trauma—a behavior rooted in the self-medication hypothesis.
How Star City Recovery Breaks the Stress–Addiction Cycle
In our luxury setting in Tarzana, California, Star City Recovery treats addiction by healing stress through:
Medically supervised detox & co-occurring therapies that address the root emotional and psychological stressors Treatments at Star City
Holistic, compassionate care in a serene, residential environment that nurtures both mind and body Our Supplemental Services
Final Thought: Stress Doesn’t Have To Define Recovery
Stress may pave the path toward addiction—but at Star City Recovery, we rebuild that path—into one of healing, resilience, and renewal. Because recovery isn’t just about what you let go of—it’s about rediscovering peace and connection.
Contact us today to begin your journey toward lasting well-being.
