Tampa, FL – Tranquil Shores is a local rehab that recently published a blog educating on stress and substance use disorder among corporate leaders. Their facility is located directly on the beach boasting privacy and peace.
“When most people think of addiction, common stereotypes come to mind. Broken families, dysfunction, and uncontrollable cravings. But the reality is that substance use disorders are far more complex than this. They are often subtle, and you may be able to function long after developing a substance use disorder. This deepens when the substance is something culturally accepted, like alcohol. When your life is together and you’re still functioning, a few drinks every evening doesn’t seem to matter. However, as time goes on, the costs and consequences can begin to mount,” the blog reads.
Substance use disorder begins as dependence begins to form. Dependence stems from the substance taking over the reward pathways in the brain, disrupting chemical production. The brain sends signals that it needs more of the substance to feel joy or pleasure. Psychologically, a substance use disorder is the result of underlying triggers. Most people don’t experience cravings 24 hours a day. Negative emotions, thoughts, or experiences often cause a craving for the substance. Even positive experiences or emotions can result in substance use.
Stress has long been linked to substance use disorders and can be a trigger for use. Research suggests that it may have to do with how stress influences the brain, making it more difficult to relax, focus, or experience pleasure. Management positions are at even greater risk of this as leadership positions often report the most stress. This can be directly linked to the responsibility and pressure of these positions. As the stress mounts, alongside long hours and short deadlines, many turn to substance use as a coping mechanism. Drinking alcohol is particularly common in these careers.
“Physically, substance use has a profound and immediate impact on your productivity and effectiveness as an executive. For example, cocaine is often seen as a way to heighten focus and gain a boost of energy – yet it has an immediate negative impact on your ability to measure risk and effectively plan. Alcohol is even more damaging to your judgment, and its effects can last far longer.
This impacts your overall productivity, diminishing your capacity to make the measured and capable decisions your organization needs. While many substances are seen as a way to loosen up, often the end result is that social skills are significantly impaired. This directly diminishes your ability to effectively connect with and lead your team.
Psychologically, substance use often results in increased stress levels, anxiety, and poor mental health. Your team needs you to remain calm and dialed in, ready to make any critical decisions that come up. Yet many substances lead to mood swings, with erratic behavior or sudden spikes of unexplained emotion. This isn’t simply a result of effects from substances, but the strain put on you as a result of use – strained family relationships, lack of focus at work, constantly feeling tired, and more. It hardly needs to be stated how detrimental this can be,” the blog continues.
Therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat a substance use disorder. Treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy can be especially effective. Therapy is not just about diving into emotions – it’s about getting the results needed by giving the person the tools to put their life back on track. Many times, substance use is paired with other mental health conditions, and finding a facility that treats both simultaneously can have more benefits.
Tranquil Shores has been serving the Tampa area for years, providing quality mental health and substance use disorder treatment. They have programs specific for executives, athletes, artists, military personnel, and medical professionals. Their programs are full of therapy options, from art therapy to holistic approaches.
To learn more about Tranquil Shores, call 727-391-7001 or visit their website.
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For more information about Tranquil Shores - Tampa, contact the company here:
Tranquil Shores - Tampa
Stacey Regan
727-391-7001
s.regan@tranquilshores.org
2202 N Westshore Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607
