Data drop: Reducing stress

This month’s data drop is 74%.

The role of stress on increased cravings and reoccurrence of symptoms with alcohol and other drug addiction is well documented in literature. Close to three-fourths (74%) of Face It TOGETHER members with addiction indicate at enrollment that they are struggling with stress. Addressing factors associated with high levels of stress is a common goal for the first 30 days of engagement with a FIT peer coach. 

There is close to no difference between male FIT members (72%) and female FIT members (76%) when it comes to feeling stress at baseline. We also see similar rates of stress in our members across all age groups: 74% (18-24), 72% (25-34), 78% (35-44) and 75% (45-64). Stress is a common risk factor for impeding progress among a majority of our members.  

Stress is often caused by financial obligations, relationships with others and employment situations – all of which are not easily addressed with quick or simple solutions. Our addiction management coaches work with members on these stress-producing factors while measuring their progress. When comparing assessment scores between enrollment and 30-day follow-ups, we see a reduction in stress in almost half of our members: 

• At 30 days of engagement with a peer coach: 46% reduce stress. 

• At 60 days of engagement with a peer coach: 51% reduce stress. 

Not all of our members show a reduction in stress in those first 60 days of engagement, because addressing the factors associated with their stress is often an arduous process.  

• At 30 days of engagement with a peer coach: 11% increase stress, 43% report no change. 

• At 60 days of engagement with a peer coach: 17% increase stress, 32% report no change. 

Our members work hard to address areas of their lives they previously used substances to help them cope with. This process itself is stress-inducing, so we are not surprised to see some members with an increase or lack of improvement on their stress levels. We recognize FIT coaches are unable to solve all our members’ struggles, but we do know we can give them the tools and skills needed to continue the work on their own.  

This knowledge discovery process provides valuable information for FIT. We use insights like this one to continually improve our peer coaching program, including the identification of training needs for our coaches. Our goal is to set our members up for success on their continual journeys to being well in whatever ways are most important to them.

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