and Substance Abuse

Stress is inevitable…

It is the body’s reactionto protect itself from emotional,physical pressures, and in extreme

circumstances…from danger

STRESSSTRESS FACTS 80 % of health-care expenses is spent on

stress-related disorders 1 in 10 Americans suffer from anxiety

disorders. In 1998, 46 % of American population report

feeling highly stressed. Ten million Americans see a psychiatrist for

stress-related issues each year. One-third of the population make Stress

Management a New Year’s Resolution each year.

Lesson 3 : O H -6 Rev: 26 -M ar-03

Reported L evel of Stressin M ilitary L ife

0 .0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

Army Navy M arine Air Force T otal

None A Little Some Fairly Large G reat Deal

L e s s o n 3 : O H - 7 R e v : 2 6 - M a r - 0 3

R a n k O r d e r e d S o u r c e s o f S t r e s s A m o n g M i l i t a r y P e r s o n n e l

F E M A L E S

1 . B e i n g A w a y F r o m F a m i l y

2 . C h a n g e s i n F a m i l y

3 . I n c r e a s e s i n W o r k L o a d

4 . C o n f l i c t w i t h S u p e r v i s o r

5 . W o r k R e l a t i o n s h i p s

6 . C o n f l i c t s B e t w e e n M i l i t a r y a n d F a m i l y R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

7 . 5 . F i n a n c i a l P r o b l e m s

7 . 5 . H a v i n g a P C S

1 3 . D e p l o y m e n t

M A L E S

1 . B e i n g A w a y F r o m F a m i l y

2 . D e p l o y m e n t

3 . I n c r e a s e s i n W o r k L o a d

4 . F i n a n c i a l P r o b l e m s

5 . C o n f l i c t s B e t w e e n M i l i t a r y a n d F a m i l y R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s

6 . W o r k R e l a t i o n s h i p s

7 . C o n f l i c t w i t h S u p e r v i s o r

8 . C h a n g e s i n F a m i l y

9 . H a v i n g a P C S

S o u r c e : 1 9 9 5 D e p a r t m e n t o f D e f e n s e W o r l d W i d e S u r v e y o f H e a l t h R e l a t e d B e h a v i o r s .

Body’s Response to Stress Fight

Blood pressure rises Tightening of

muscles. Changes in blood

flow/circulation. Breathing becomes

more rapid. Increased heart

rate.

Flight

Stress hormones are released.

Increased perspiration.

Imbalances in normal hormone levels.

Body’s Response to Stress Stress activates adaptive responses. It

heightens memory. This is why people remember stressful events more clearly.

Mild stress causes changes that are useful. Stress can actually heighten our ability to focus and increase our capacity to react.

After a stress reaction, the body repairs itself. When chronic stress exists, there is no time for the body to repair and damage results.

STRESS RESPONSE STRESS AND PERFORMANCE

Stress Factors Lifestyle and WorkLifestyle and Work• Too much or too little• Time pressure and

deadlines• Lack of clear plans and

goals• Inability to complete

assignments/projects• Family changes• Frustration/boredom

with current roles• Disruptions to Plans

Health and Health and NutritionNutrition

Stress eating Using/Increasing

Caffeine Smoking Increasing Alcohol Lack of Exercise Lack of Relaxation Lack of Sleep No FUN!!

Stress Factors EnvironmentalEnvironmental Noise Insufficient working

and living space Pollution Crowding and invasion

of personal space Lack of light Poorly organized or

run down environment

Stress-Building Stress-Building BeliefsBeliefs

Do you feel a constant pressure to achieve?

Do you criticize yourself when you are not perfect?

Do you give up pleasure/relaxation in order to get more done?

Do you feel you have not done enough no matter how hard you try?

Stress Responses Physiological• Sleep Deprivation• Heart palpitations• Tightness of chest• Butterflies in stomach• Dry Mouth/Dehydration• Fatigue• Sweaty all Over• Muscle Aches• Impaired Immune

System

Cognitive• Information: Too much/too

little• Unpredictability• Indecisiveness• Hard Choices VS No

Choices• Feeling Trapped

Stress Responses Emotional• Panic!!!!• Out of control• Rejected• Keyed up/on Edge• Isolated/Lonely• Criticized• Afraid• Feelings of

Doom/Gloom• Angry• DEPRESSED

Chronic Stress

Body’s Response to Stress Chronic stress causes physical illness….colds,

stomach problems, headache, lack of concentration, chronic fatigue, depression.

Extreme stress can lead to the anxiety disorder of post traumatic stress disorder.

PTSD can occur in people of any age, including children and adolescents.

Symptoms of PTSD can include: insomnia, irritability, exaggerated startle response, re-occurring thoughts about the incident

Risk Factors for Too Much Stress Away from support system (family, friends,

community) Inconsistent work responsibilities and

schedules Feeling of lack of control over personal and

work environment Inconsistent or not enough sleep Lack of leisure/relaxation time Perceived stressful work/living environment Boredom, lack of challenge

Stress and Drug Abuse Stressful events may increase the use of

alcohol and other drugs (the 1995 DOD health survey reports that military members site “stress” as the reason for drinking).

Stress is one of the major factors known to cause relapse to smoking, even after a long period of non-smoking.

Children exposed to severe stress are more vulnerable to future drug use.

Of individuals with substance abuse problems, up to 60 % meet the criteria for post traumatic stress.

25% of military personnel use alcohol and cigarettes as a coping mechanism for dealing with stress

Stress and Substance Use Among Military Women and Men Military men experiencing high workplace

stress were more likely than those experiencing low stress to be heavy alcohol users, illicit drug users, and tobacco users.

For women, high levels of stress at work and home did not affect alcohol and other drug use. For stressors related to being a woman in the military, illicit drug use and tobacco use increased.

Stress and Drug Abuse Alcohol is a depressant drug. It interrupts sleep. It inhibits the body’s ability to

handle the physical responses to stress.

It dehydrates. It prevents development of healthy

coping habits.

Drinking Safely U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services recommends that for those who CAN safely drink not drink more than: 1 drink a day for women 2 drinks a day for men 1 drink per hourStandard Drink: 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine,

1.5 ounces of liquor. These all contain the same amount of alcohol…your brain cannot tell the difference between a beer and a shot

Factors that Increase Impairment

BODY SIZE

As a rule, a small person experiences greater impairment from a given amount of alcohol than a large person. Also, because degree of impairment is related to total body fluid

Factors that Increase Impairment

GENDERWomen are typically more impaired

from the same amount of alcohol then men of the same size. Women have more body fat and less blood.

STOMACH CONTENTDrinking alcohol with an empty

stomach causes greater impairment

Factors that Increase Impairment

ILLNESS OR TIREDNESSSomeone who is tired, sick, or just getting well

experiences greater impairment from alcohol. Fatigue adds greatly to increased risk, especially for shift workers.

OTHER DRUGSThis refers to all drugs, legal and illicit. Drinking

alcohol while taking any drug can intensify or weaken the effect of the drug. It can also intensify the effect of the alcohol. It is dangerous & can be fatal.

Dealing with Stress Be aware of the physical and emotional

symptoms

Counteract chronic and severe stress with good eating habits, more sleep, choosing healthy activities that promote fun and relaxation

Take charge of what you can

Talk it out

Stress Serenity Prayer

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can… and the wisdom to know the difference.

For More Information and Assistance

Visit your Army Substance Abuse Program

Vicenza ASAP Bldg 138 L, 2nd Floor

634-7554