When we are very sick, so sick that hospitalization and surgery is required and we are told we might die, this creates a great deal of stress. At this point in time, when we are undergoing so much stress, turning to some form of addictive behavior may seem to be our only option.
The term “option reduction” has been used to characterize one of the stages of the relapse process. We feel that we have run out of options so we turn to some form of addiction.
What we must do is learn to create options, to keep many options available, and then choose the best of those options. If we are always able to have options available and choose the best of those, then the chances of addiction becoming a fact of our life decreases. In fact, doing so may help us negate the relapse process, by moving away from a relapse instead of towards one.
This stress not only effects the person who is suffering from a sickness, but also effects family members, caregivers, the people close to the individual who is sick. These people also need to be aware of the hazards of extreme stress and how it can effect us.
Stress, to varying degrees, is a fact of life, and we must take the steps necessary to minimize the negative effects it might have upon us.