A few drinks at the bar to cut loose.
A shot of whiskey to relax.
A bump of cocaine to snap into focus.
When you’re in a leadership position, your role doesn’t just require you to succeed personally – you have to help, mentor, and manage everyone around you. Unrealistic deadlines and expectations can quickly mount, and your team’s success is your responsibility alone. Not only that, but the constant feeling of being on the edge of failure, of others around you succeeding while you seem to have to fight for every inch – with so many people depending on you, the stress can become overwhelming.
These pressures are understood by very few people, and many find themselves turning to substance use to cope. If this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone – more than 10% of corporate leaders live with a substance use disorder.
The consequences of this can be severe. Understanding the interrelationship between the stressors of work and substance use is critical to not only succeed in your professional life, but your personal life as well. At Tranquil Shores, we believe that this education is key. That’s why today we’re going to talk about corporate leaders and substance use.
Understanding the Key Aspects of Substance Use
When most people think of addiction, common stereotypes come to mind. Broken families, dysfunction, and uncontrollable cravings. But the reality is that substance use disorders are far more complex than this. They are often subtle, and you may be able to function long after developing a substance use disorder. This deepens when the substance is something culturally accepted, like alcohol. When your life is together and you’re still functioning, a few drinks every evening doesn’t seem to matter. However, as time goes on, the costs and consequences can begin to mount.
The Cycle of Substance Use
A substance use disorder develops as a result of both physical and psychological factors.
Physically, the substance creates strong chemical responses in the brain, hijacking the reward pathways. Over time, the body becomes used to this level of chemicals, and it takes more of the same chemicals to reach the same level of high – known as building a tolerance. As the substance use continues, eventually the brain can begin to need these increased levels of chemicals to function properly – this is a dependence.
Once a dependence forms, the brain sends powerful signals to the body that it needs this substance, sometimes within only a few hours since the last dose. Alcohol, in particular, can form powerful feedback loops in the brain, and it may require medical attention to safely disrupt this process.
Psychologically, a substance use disorder is the result of underlying triggers. Most people, even those with a substance use disorder, don’t experience cravings 24 hours a day. Negative emotions, thoughts, or experiences often bring out the desire for that substance. Positive emotions can also act as triggers.
As time goes on, and the substance is used to cope with these feelings, psychological habits begin to form. Instead of processing and confronting their stress, many executives turn to alcohol or other substances as a way to relax. What was once enjoyed for its taste becomes the principal coping mechanism, a crutch to handle emotions.
This becomes cyclical when dependence and other physical aspects of substance use take over. Negative emotions lead to initial substance use, which becomes the primary coping tool. Then, as dependence develops, the brain can send intensely negative feelings and cravings through the body – triggering more substance use. This cycle then starts over, but with the brain’s tolerance also increasing, with each trip through this pattern, more and more is needed to reach the same effects.
The Role of Corporate Life & Stress on Substance Use
Stress fits into this model, acting as a powerful trigger for substance use. Corporate life does little to help. One study found that management roles have the third-highest rate of illicit substance use out of all professions. The two are closely linked.
Stress can act as a trigger for substance use. Stress has long been linked to substance use disorders, though this link is poorly understood. Some research suggests that it may have to do with how stress influences the brain, making it harder to relax, focus, or experience pleasure. Stress makes it more likely to develop a substance use disorder while simultaneously intensifying any negative consequences.
Management positions are at even greater risk of this, and research consistently finds that leadership positions report the most stress. This can be directly linked to the responsibility and pressure of these positions. As the stress mounts, alongside long hours and short deadlines, many turn to substance use as a coping mechanism. Alcohol is a particularly common path, with some surveys finding that upward of 36% of executives qualify as heavy drinkers.
The Consequences of Substance Use Disorders at Work
When the pressures facing a business leader begin to mount, many turn to substance use. Whether it’s to relax after a day of handling demanding clients, or simply for a burst of energy when you’re working late hours and can’t make it home to sleep, the allure is always there.
Yet while it may at first seem harmless, or even beneficial, the cyclical nature of a substance use disorder means that consequences can quickly spin out of control. After all, one of the key aspects of any substance use disorder is that it is difficult to stop. This can have both professional and personal implications, with consequences not only impacting your ability to make decisions at work, but also spill over into your home life with irritability and stress.
Short-Term Physical and Psychological Consequences of Substance or Alcohol Use
Even over short periods of time, substance use can have profound effects.
Physically, substance use has a profound and immediate impact on your productivity and effectiveness as an executive. For example, cocaine is often seen as a way to heighten focus and gain a boost of energy – yet it has an immediate negative impact on your ability to measure risk and effectively plan. Alcohol is even more damaging to your judgment, and its effects can last far longer.
This impacts your overall productivity, diminishing your capacity to make the measured and capable decisions your organization needs. While many substances are seen as a way to loosen up, often the end result is that social skills are significantly impaired. This directly diminishes your ability to effectively connect with and lead your team.
Psychologically, substance use often results in increased stress levels, anxiety, and poor mental health. Your team needs you to remain calm and dialed in, ready to make any critical decisions that come up. Yet many substances lead to mood swings, with erratic behavior or sudden spikes of unexplained emotion. This isn’t simply a result of effects from substances, but the strain put on you as a result of use – strained family relationships, lack of focus at work, constantly feeling tired, and more. It hardly needs to be stated how detrimental this can be.
Further, many substances lead to difficulties with concentration, as the body’s chemical balance fluctuates. This can show itself in lapses with clients or lost focus in key meetings. It can mean sitting at your desk, typing the same email repeatedly, unable to find the right words. Your ability to think clearly and logically may be impaired, further reducing your ability to make key decisions.
Long-Term Physical and Psychological Consequences
As someone transitions from short-term substance use to a long-term substance use disorder, these symptoms typically intensify.
Physically, health consequences develop or worsen. While specifics will depend on the substance, organ damage is a small but serious risk as the body fails to keep up with the increased levels of toxins. What in the short-term was a bit of a headache or distracting stomach issues that you could push through, in the long-term leads to missed work and opportunities. Your team needs you healthy not just today, but to be there in the future to help execute your plans.
Cognitive decline or brain fog can set in. What started as occasionally forgetting to reply to an email can quickly morph into long-term memory lapses. Your organization trusts you to be on top of things, efficient, and organized. But when your own mind can’t keep up, this becomes impossible. The chronic stress of leadership only accelerates this cycle, as you turn to more substance use to handle the increased stress.
Psychologically, mental health issues may develop. Depression, anxiety, and even psychosis have been linked to long-term substance use, and executives face unique pressures on top of it. You were hired for a reason – you excel at what you do, and people trust you to perform. But long-term substance use can lead to sharp changes in personality and behavior, essentially turning you into someone you don’t recognize. Insomnia is common, and can further impact performance.
Social factors take more of a role as substance use continues. An executive lifestyle already has its own social pressures. High standards and tight deadlines often lead to feelings of isolation, with friends and family set to the wayside. But when substance use takes up more of your life, these brief reprieves with your loved ones become even less common.
You can’t ever recharge, and the promise of substance use, of relaxation or extra energy, fails to deliver. This can bleed into work life as well, and you may end up spending more hours than ever at work, yet getting less done. Even worse, for some substances such as alcohol, the executive culture may be accepting, and even pressuring, you to take or drink more. This leads you to more substance use to cope with the added pressure, and the cycle continues.
Tools to Overcome Substance or Alcohol Use
While this picture may seem bleak, there are many tools you can pursue to overcome a substance use disorder. It is never too late to take control of your life, and many of the lessons you’ve learned as a leader can often be applied to yourself.
Therapy is one of the most effective ways to overcome a substance use disorder. Treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy can be especially effective, especially if you’re looking for the tools you need to facilitate your own changes. Therapy is not just about diving into your emotions – it’s about getting the results you need, giving you the tools to put your life back on track. It’s important to find a program that meets your specific needs. Many times, substance use is paired with other mental health conditions – referred to as a dual diagnosis – and it’s critical to find treatment that matches your situation.
Learning coping skills is an effective way to gain control over your substance use disorder, and is a key part of dialectical-behavioral therapy. The types of stress you’re under as an executive are unique, and the coping strategies that work for some may not work for you. Executives are often managing large amounts of money, burdened with laying off staff, and carrying the weight of massive responsibilities. By learning to cope with emotions and break behavioral patterns, you will be empowered to make strides toward recovery and become a better leader in your daily life.
It can sound cliche, but healthy lifestyle changes are an excellent option. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and the pursuit of hobbies that bring you joy are fantastic ways to take back your life. Remember, substance use disorders work by hijacking the reward network in your brain. By seeking out other positive outlets in your life, you are better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.
Corporate Leaders Seeking Help in Tampa, Florida
However, for many, it takes professional treatment to overcome a substance use disorder. Whether you are looking to tackle the amount of alcohol you drink, or are aiming for other substances, there’s no shame or judgment in seeking help. Recovery is a complex and sometimes lengthy process, but it isn’t one you have to go alone.
Rehab for corporate leaders is available, with expert staff who understand your needs and are able to provide the treatment that’s right for you.
Here at Tranquil Shores, we offer specialized treatment for corporate executives. We allow cell phone and laptop access, so you can continue to keep up with any work or business needs that arise. This is coupled with unmatched clinical expertise, dedicated psychiatrists, and specialists to help get your life back on track. All of this happens at our private, waterfront property that gives you the space and peace you need to recover. To learn more about our treatment plans today, contact us at 727-391-7001. We are here to provide the peaceful and private treatment you deserve.
