Coping with Stress

[Iron Man]

Over the years of my life, I`ve been stressed a lot. But I haven`t ever done things to myself that can harm my well-being. I`m not going to ramble on and get to the point. In my opinion, doing things like smoking or drugs don`t help stress, but they only focus your mind off of it. We all have to face reality right? So, do what do you think?

[Mr. Smithers]

People deal with stress the best way they can. Smoking and drinking can be a stress reliever for one person, but for the other, it probably won't be.

You just have to find something that relaxes you.

[Sapphire]

I agree with you.
Drinking, doing drugs or self harming because of stress are not healthy since you ignore the real problem and simply add more to it (hangovers, open wounds that can get infected, addiction etc).

[Ripplemagne]

It stunts your growth.

There are six kinds of coping mechanisms: Denial, Reaction Formation, Compensation, Rationalization, Projection and Regression.

Substance abuse is a mix of regression and denial because it relies on trying to force yourself into an alternative state and it denies the problem by not allowing yourself to acknowledge it.

Self harm is a form of regression in that it's a cry for attention and an inward demand of the acknowledgement of others.

By doing these things, the individual hinders their ability to manage life's hardships and ultimately sets them up for failure again and again, ultimately perpetuating the cycle and usually leading them to addiction. It's sad, really.