The first is the alarm stage. The presence of a stressful event is registered and an arousal response is activated and adrenaline is produced. As the adrenaline creates an increase in the heart rate and also increases the blood pressure. The body is prepared to respond to the threat and prepares it for “Fight or Flight (Cannon 1929). The second is resistance, as the stress continues the body attempts to cope and revert to normal functioning. The third and final stage is Exhaustion. This occurs when the body after a long term exposure of being outstripped of its reserves energy is unable to cope with the situation. Heart rate and blood pressure return to apparently normal levels, but the amount of adrenaline in the bloodstream cause the adrenal glands to stop functioning properly.
When stressed individuals are more likely to smoke and drink and therefore these habits lead to illness. (As cited in Cardwell, 2005, Pg90). The link of stress with ill health is strong a it has been linked with occurrences of stomach ulcers, heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. Many illnesses are believed to be related to stress, however the cardiovascular system and the immune system functioning suffer a great deal. Research studies have suggested that there is a link between long-term stress and minor illnesses, however it can not always be certain that it is stress itself which is causing the effect.
Krantz et al (1991) conducted another study looking at the relationship between stress and cardiovascular disorders. The study’s aim was to investigate the extent to which mental stress could be shown to increase myocardial ischemia, and if patients with coronary artery disease reacted differently to individuals with no cardiovascular problems. 39 patients and 12 controls were studied. The participants were asked to perform three mental tasks
1. Arithmetic task. 2. Stroop task (blue red) 3. Tasks were they stimulated public speaking. Physiological measurements were taken such as blood pressure and whether the contractions of blood vessels around the heart were low, medium, or high. The findings were that the cardiovascular patients demonstrated the greatest myocardial ischemia during the mental task, and also had highest increases in blood pressure. The control participants showed lowest levels of myocardial ischemia and blood pressure increase whilst performing tasks.
An intermediate group who had mild health concerns or none at all showed only moderate increases in blood pressure. These findings support a link between performing mild mildly stressful cognitive tasks and physiological activity that could damage the cardiovascular system.
However not all people react in the same way so there are individual differences, which should be accounted for. Criticisms about the study have been raised such as ethical issues. As whether the mild stress given was acceptable for those who did have cardiovascular. As for the validity of the conclusion no controls were used to see if the muscle tension in the cardio group was different from that of the non-cardio group, and If their muscles were tense in anyway that this would question the validity of the results.
Kiecolt – Glaser et al (1984) another conducted a study to demonstrate the direct effects of stressful situations on the immune system. Medical students facing important exams were selected. All students volunteered to take part. Blood samples were taken from 75 first year Medical students, 49 were male and 26 were female. Samples were taken one month before the exams and on the first day of the exams. The students were also given questionnaires to assess psychological variables such as life events and loneliness. Their blood samples were analysed for the amount of leukocyte or leucocytes activity. Leukocytes are cells of the immune system which help defend the body against both infectious disease and foreign bodies. (Cardwell 2005)
The findings were as they predicted, the leukocyte activity was significantly reduced in the second blood sample compared to when the first sample. Leukocyte activity was most reduced in participants who also reported high levels of life events and loneliness. Overall this did show distinctive changes in their immune systems during exam times. They also reported that they were more likely to contact coughs and colds during exams times, than at other times but this aspect of the study was really not fully controlled. As we can’t be sure that it was only the stressors that caused the change in the immune system, other variables which couldn’t have been controlled might have played a part. However as this was a natural experiment using natural source of stress, and control of the participants variables there was an ecological validity.
The emotions and physiological arousal created by stressful situation motivates the individual to take some form of action. As many people when stressed they claim to find a haven in drug or alcohol abuse. When drugs or alcohol are continually used, problems of a social or interpersonal nature are made worse by use of the substance. When substances are continually taken regularly the body is affected and when the substance is not there severe psychological symptoms can occur, this is also known as withdrawal symptoms. As our body becomes psychological dependent and adapts to the drug, people then increase the dose amount to achieve a desired effect.
Illegal substance such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin are highly addictive. Cannabis is a natural substance formed from a cannabis sativa plant, however this can affect people in different ways as some may feel relaxed and others may feel paranoid. Heroin on the other hand is a very highly addictive substance and is made from the sap of ripening opium poppies. Heroin use has both short-term and long-term effects. Whether injected, snorted or smoked, heroin will begin to affect the body’s central nervous system almost immediately after it is used. As it clams and relaxes the body free from stress and anxiety, taking heroin is a very expensive addiction.
There are many different recovery strategies that can be done in order to be substance free for substance abuse. Methadone is commonly known as a pain relief, however it is also used as a chemical agent to block the effects caused by heroin. As it last longer in the body it helps reduce the withdrawal symptoms and makes them less severe in those who take heroin. Methadone reduces the danger of heroin as it minimizes the cravings, it is also safe and affordable as there is no need to break the law to get money. Regular contact with healthcare professionals improves health and well being and keeps you in contact with other people motivated towards change. While on methadone many remain physically dependent on it to keep withdrawal symptoms down. It can also lead to death if excess amount is taken. Employers cannot by law discriminate against you, but they may not be impressed to find you are “addicted to methadone”. Methadone is a very long term commitment. As some people stay on methadone for decades, some forever.
Trying to avoid certain situations, such as going out with friends who go to the pub regular, or being with certain friends that smoke will be good for you as this may lead to triggering off craving. Therefore controlling the environment which you are in gives you self control of the situation and will power. However this strategy may lead you back to substance abuse as you may feel alone or left out.