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Olympic Athlete, Michael Phelps, Arrested for DUI

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Star Olympian swimmer, Michael Phelps, was arrested Tuesday on charges for driving under the influence. This is not his first DUI or the first admission of his troubles with substances. Anxiety and stress are some of the major triggers of substance use for all individuals struggling with substance abuse. This may have been the trigger for the latest incident with Michael Phelps as well as prior incidents.

Michael Phelps Arrested for DUI

Michael Phelps is a world famous athlete due to his extraordinary achievements in the Olympics from a very young age. The 29 year old has 22 Olympic medals to his name – 18 of which are gold medals. In recent years, unfortunately, he has made headlines several times for his substance abuse including an earlier DUI and photos of him using marijuana at a party. His arrest yesterday for another DUI shows he continues to struggle with substance abuse. He was caught driving nearly double the speed limit and he drove illegally crossing double lanes on the highway. His troubling behavior may be connected to the considerable amount of stress and anxiety that professional athletes face.

Stress/Anxiety and Professional Athletes

Professional athletes face a great amount of stress and anxiety from a number of different sources including the pressure to win, challenging schedules, the stress of the celebrity spotlight, the pressure to outdo oneself, et al. Stress and anxiety are major triggers for substance use for athletes just as they are for other individuals of substance abuse and addiction.

It is so important to manage both stress and anxiety for recovery success that both are addressed in alcohol and drug rehab in the form of lifestyle counseling, stress management, relapse prevention strategies and even dual diagnosis treatment for clients suffering from anxiety disorders.

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Lifestyle counseling helps clients to shape their lives in manners conducive to healthy, recovered living which includes reducing stress and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Stress management techniques are taught in rehabilitation giving clients different methods for effectively managing stress. These methods may include everything from getting a balanced nutrition and exercising regularly to meditating and journaling. Clients also work on creating relapse prevention strategies which are step-by-step, specific plans of action for avoiding harmful triggers for substance use – including stress and anxiety.

Experiencing anxiety differs from having an anxiety disorder. Individuals who have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders undergo dual diagnosis treatment for recovery success. This treatment works by effectively treating both the addiction and the anxiety disorder at the same time for the best results.

If Michael Phelps struggles with substance use because of his high levels of stress and anxiety, a drug and alcohol rehab program could help him manage both more effectively.

If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of alcohol abuse, substance addiction or any other type of addiction, please call us today.  Our addiction treatment counselors can help you deal with the physical, emotional and psychological consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.  A substance abuse treatment program is effective, safe and has helped many men reclaim their lives. Destination Hope is a full service drug, alcohol and dual diagnosis treatment facility in Florida for men suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues.

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