17.2.2 Stress

• What is the psychological and physical response to challenging or threatening events called?

  Stress
• Chronic or severe stress can increase the risk of developing addictive behaviors.
• When individuals experience stress, their bodies release the hormone cortisol
• Match the coping mechanism with its description:

  Substance abuse ↔️ Using drugs or alcohol to numb stress

  Emotional eating ↔️ Eating to suppress discomfort

  Excessive gaming ↔️ Escaping into virtual worlds

  Compulsive shopping ↔️ Buying to feel in control
• Stressors can be environmental, social, or emotional
• Chronic stress and acute stress are the two primary types of stress that can contribute to addiction.
• What is an example of a chronic stressor?

  Financial difficulties
• What is an example of an acute stressor?

  Traumatic event
• Match the type of stress with its impact on addiction:

  Chronic stress ↔️ Increases vulnerability through prolonged stress hormones

  Acute stress ↔️ Triggers initial addictive behaviors as coping
• Both chronic and acute stress can increase the risk of developing addictive behaviors due to the release of hormones like cortisol
• What hormone is released during stress that triggers cravings and reward pathways in the brain?

  Cortisol
• The two primary types of stress that can contribute to addiction are chronic stress and acute stress.
• Chronic stress increases vulnerability to addiction through prolonged exposure to stress hormones.
• What is an example of a chronic stressor?

  Financial difficulties
• Acute stress is triggered by short-term stressors, such as a traumatic event.
• Stress involves both psychological and physical changes in response to stressors.
• How does stress lead to addictive behaviors by releasing cortisol?

  Triggers cravings
• Common coping mechanisms that may lead to addiction include substance abuse, emotional eating, and excessive gaming.
• Cortisol release during stress activates reward pathways in the brain.
• Match the type of stress with its impact on addiction:

  Chronic Stress ↔️ Prolonged exposure to cortisol

  Acute Stress ↔️ Triggers initial substance use
• What does the HPA axis release during stress?

  Cortisol
• The amygdala becomes more active during stress, increasing sensitivity to negative emotions.
• Steps of the HPA axis activation during stress:

  1️⃣ Hypothalamus releases CRH

  2️⃣ Pituitary gland releases ACTH

  3️⃣ Adrenal glands secrete cortisol
• The nucleus accumbens, part of the brain's reward system, reinforces the desire for stress relief through addictive substances.
• What is an example of addiction triggered by chronic stress?

  Alcohol use by students
• Match the coping strategy with its description:

  Problem-focused coping ↔️ Addresses stressors directly

  Emotion-focused coping ↔️ Manages emotional responses

  Social support ↔️ Seeks companionship from others
• What is stress defined as in the study material?

  Psychological and physical response
• When individuals experience stress, their bodies release hormones like cortisol
• Substance abuse is a common coping mechanism for stress that can lead to addiction.
• Match the key factor with its description:

  Physiological Changes ↔️ Release of cortisol during stress

  Coping Mechanisms ↔️ Substance abuse, emotional eating

  Vulnerability to Addiction ↔️ Increased cravings and reward activation
• What are the two primary types of stress that can contribute to addiction?

  Chronic and acute
• Chronic stress refers to ongoing, persistent stressors such as financial difficulties or relationship problems
• Acute stress involves short-term stressors like experiencing a traumatic event.
• Order the types of stress based on their duration and impact on addiction:

  1️⃣ Acute Stress

  2️⃣ Chronic Stress
• Match the type of stress with its impact on addiction:

  Chronic Stress ↔️ Prolonged exposure to stress hormones

  Acute Stress ↔️ Triggers initial substance use
• What is an example of a situation where acute stress might lead to binge-eating?

  After a car accident
• Genetic predispositions can influence an individual's sensitivity to stress and the likelihood of addiction
• High levels of impulsivity and neuroticism can increase vulnerability to addiction.
• What type of mental health condition can exacerbate stress and increase reliance on addictive behaviors?

  Anxiety and depression
• Order the steps of the HPA axis activation during stress:

  1️⃣ Hypothalamus releases CRH

  2️⃣ Pituitary gland releases ACTH

  3️⃣ Adrenal glands secrete cortisol