Stress is an unavoidable part of life. Between the responsibilities of work, home, spouses, children, families, friends, and other activities, most people have quite a few things on their plate to balance. When the plate becomes overloaded or something significant happens in any one area, stress settles in. Most of the time people have some coping skills, whether intentional or not, to help them work through the worry and anxiety until they get through the difficult period.
Unfortunately, others turn to more harmful coping mechanisms when the feelings of stress set in. They overeat, watch too much television, lash out at loved ones, or turn to alcohol or drugs once the pressure becomes too much. These reactions may provide some temporary relief but they only make the problem worse in the long run. They do not provide any lasting reprieve nor do they address the root of the stress. Instead, they place a bandaid over the problem while the stress festers below the surface.
Men are at an especially high risk of turning to alcohol to cope with stress. They return home after a long day at work looking forward to a beer or a drink to help them unwind. However, men who use alcohol to cope with stress place themselves at a severe disadvantage. There are many risks associated with excessive alcohol use and it can lead to significant problems over time.
Thankfully, there are many solutions available for men struggling with high stress and alcohol use. If this is something you struggle with, there are steps you can take to break out of the stress and alcohol cycle. Continue reading to learn more about the effects of using alcohol to cope with stress, the steps it takes to break the cycle, and how to start handling stress without turning to alcohol.
Why Men Turn to Alcohol to Cope with Stress
Substance use is a common way that people manage stress, particularly men. Men often turn to alcohol to cope with stress and difficult times. Their drinking may or may not be overt but it is often a tool they turn to at the end of a long day. How many men do you know who look forward to cracking open a cold beer or mixing a drink when they get home after work? Probably more than you realize. Why do men turn to alcohol to cope with stress?
Cultural Expectations
Despite the push for men to be more open about their emotions, the long-standing pressure for men to remain strong and manage their emotions quietly remains. They feel forced to keep things to themselves and handle their problems on their own. This push to manage stress on their own with little to no outlet only causes the stress to worsen, leading them to look for alternative coping mechanisms. Oftentimes they turn to alcohol for an easy escape.
Workplace Stress
Workplace challenges are another common factor that contributes to stress in men. Pressure to perform at work and workplace politics can cause significant distress. Long hours in the office or on the job site leave men feeling depleted and exhausted. Financial responsibilities to keep the bills paid so their families have a place to live only add to this. Work-related stress is a significant portion of the pressure and stress that men deal with.
Relationship and Family Challenges
Personal relationships are one of the most fulfilling and rewarding but also the most challenging parts of life. Challenges in a man’s relationship, marriage, or with his children can cause extreme stress. On the other hand, single men who live alone deal with the opposite but must grapple with the loneliness of excessive alone time and an empty household. Alcohol can be a go-to way to cope during these times of relational overwhelm or solitary isolation.
Lack of Healthy Coping Skills
Men are notably less equipped with healthy coping skills. From a young age, many men turn to things like adrenaline-seeking, risk-taking, or a competitive drive to manage overwhelming emotions. While all of these things are fine in moderation, using them as the sole way to handle life’s challenges is not a healthy approach. A lack of healthy coping skills can push men in the direction of more harmful ones, such as alcohol or other substances, especially when they’re looking for a quick stress reliever.
The Risks of Using Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism
Alcohol seems like a great solution when you’re in a pinch. It seems like it allows you to breathe easier, relax, and take the edge off. It might help you unwind after a long day of work or while out with friends. But when you regularly use it to deal with stress, it quickly becomes a problem. You might not realize it at first but using alcohol as a coping mechanism is a dangerous path to take.
Men who turn to alcohol to cope with stress place themselves at a disadvantage. Most do not realize the detrimental effects alcohol has on their ability to handle stress in the long run. It seems like it reduces the worry and fear but it only pushes those emotions to the back of the mind and they will emerge later. Excessive alcohol use reduces emotional resilience and reduces a man’s capacity for managing stress over time.
Long-term alcohol use can have negative effects on your personal and professional relationships. If your drinking becomes more continuous, you might notice some negative effects on your performance at work. It can also impact your personal relationships with your spouse, children, family, and friends. If you become dishonest about your drinking as the frequency increases, distrust, and resentment can settle in.
Ongoing alcohol use, especially when used to handle stress, can also escalate to alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder. Over time, your body becomes dependent on the regular introduction of alcohol and needs it to function. This also causes physical health effects over time, such as dehydration, poor nutrition, or liver damage. Negative mental health effects are common as well, with depression and anxiety setting in the longer you lean on alcohol to cope.
Breaking the Cycle
Breaking free from the cycle of stress and alcohol use can feel overwhelming, but it is possible with the right steps and support. The journey begins with recognizing how stress impacts your life and how alcohol has become a crutch rather than a solution. By replacing harmful habits with healthier coping mechanisms and seeking professional guidance when needed, you can regain control and build a foundation for lasting resilience. How can you start to interrupt the cycle of stress and alcohol use?
Recognize the Problem
The first step in overcoming any challenge is recognizing that it exists. Men who rely on alcohol to cope with stress often dismiss their drinking habits as harmless or even necessary to “unwind.” However, understanding when alcohol use becomes problematic is essential. Some signs include:
- Drinking to excess or more often than intended.
- Prioritizing alcohol over responsibilities like work, family, or self-care.
- Feeling irritable, anxious, or unable to relax without a drink.
- Hiding or minimizing the extent of your drinking from others.
Acknowledging these behaviors can feel uncomfortable, but it’s the foundation for meaningful change. Once you identify the problem, you can finally start to address it.
Explore Healthier Coping Mechanisms
Stress is inevitable, but the way you manage it can transform your overall well-being. Swapping unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol for healthier alternatives can make a significant difference. Some effective strategies include:
- Exercise
- Mindfulness
- Journaling
- Social connection
Experimenting with these methods may take time, but over time they can become reliable tools for managing stress without the need for alcohol.
Seek Professional Support
Breaking free from the grip of alcohol often requires more than willpower alone. Seeking professional support, such as an intensive outpatient program, can provide structure, accountability, and expert guidance to help you make lasting changes. Therapy or addiction treatment can offer personalized strategies to address the root causes of your stress and substance use.
The Role of Support Systems
Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. A strong support system is one of the most important factors in overcoming alcohol addiction. Friends, family, or peer support groups can provide encouragement, accountability, and a sense of belonging that makes the recovery journey more manageable.
How New Origins Can Help
At New Origins, we understand the unique challenges that men face when struggling with stress and alcohol addiction. Our program is designed to address these challenges head-on, providing the tools and support needed to regain control. We aim to provide services that take a well-rounded approach to helping you overcome your struggles with alcohol and learn to manage your stress in a healthy way.
We offer traditional treatment approaches including addiction therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, However, our offerings go beyond traditional treatment to help men rebuild every aspect of their lives. Some of these services include holistic therapies, individual and group counseling, anger management, and family counseling.
Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all journey. At New Origins, we meet each man where he is and help him build a path toward lasting change. If you’re ready to leave the stress and alcohol cycle behind, New Origins is here to help. Reach out today by phone at (855) 984-1788 or submit an online contact form to learn more about our men’s outpatient treatment program in Redlands and take the first step toward a healthier, more balanced life.
