Substance abuse

Do you…
…Take pills to go to sleep?
…Take pills to wake up?
…Take a drink (wine, beer, liquor) to relax?
…Use stomach aids (Tums, Di-Gel, etc.) frequently?
…Rely on mood elevators (Elavil)?
…Rely on mood depressors (Valium)?
…Use any substance to sustain a mood?
…Smoke a cigarette to soothe your nerves or prevent weight gain?

If you use any chemicals to help ease the tensions or discomforts you associate with stress, you may be falling into a Catch-22 pattern. You try to manage your stress by escaping into a synthetic shelter. Once the chemicals wear off, you are only facing the stressors again, and perhaps you’ve compounded the problem and feel worse. Hence you take something else to help you feel better and soon you’re caught in a web you’ve spun out of stressors.

You can’t live like an ostrich with your head in the sand. Sooner or later you have to face the stressors. Stress management techniques should replace the substances you are using.

Q: How bad is caffeine?

A: Did you know that caffeine can increase the heartbeat and basal metabolic rate, promote secretion of stomach acids and increase the rate of urine production? In some cases it constricts the blood vessels, while in others it dilates them.

Caffeine can produce anxiety, restlessness, diarrhea, delayed or interrupted sleep, heart palpitations and headaches. In addition, many people suffer irregular breathing, irritability, heartburn and depression.

Caffeine is found in cocoa, tea, coffee, some aspirin–containing medications, cola drinks and some other sodas, No Doz tablets, cold remedies, weight control aids and some prescription drugs.

Read the labels of all foods and drugs before you buy or use them.