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Through my work as a psychologist in Southern California, I have treated a number of professionals that suffer from addictions to alcohol, drugs, and prescription medications. These addictions are becoming more and more common, as executives and professionals become immersed in a frantic, stressful lifestyle. Rarely will these individuals take the time they need to relax and unwind in a healthy manner, and they normally work incredibly long hours. I believe that because they have forgotten how to care for their mental needs, and unwind in a positive manner, may be a cause of their addictions. Instead, they learn that using alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications provides them with the mental relief they so desperately seek. Their addiction begins as a result, and soon spirals out of control.

My husband’s stressful, chaotic life is largely due to his career as a stockbroker. His work consumed him, and for many years he worked 60-hour workweeks. In our early 30s, I noticed that my husband already looked much older than our age. I was terrified that his high stress levels had a deteriorating effect; I knew that a heart attack or stroke was highly possible. These kinds of conditions run in his family, and I knew he had several major risk factors working against him.

Being a wife of a prominent newscaster is quite demanding. My husband is not even a politician but a lot of people still look up to him, seek help and guidance from him. Although I love my husband, I am not really a very public person. I am not the person who loves waving my hand to people and show my availability to them. I prefer staying in my room and savor idle moments in our jacuzzi. Getting by with the foundation meetings, community service functions, as well as dinner balls at night, I need to recourse on prescribed medications to stabilize my nerves. In the long run, my dependence to pills became unpleasantly surprising to the extent that need to take them more frequently.