Overview
“Allostatic load” refers to the cumulative damage the body experiences as a result of chronic stress, often measured by blood pressure, cortisol levels, cholesterol, blood sugar, and inflammation. These can manifest in everyday life as increased symptoms of anxiety or depression, higher risk of heart disease and diabetes, and persistent fatigue.
Substance use disorders come with intense allostatic loads that can lower the baseline ability to receive pleasure from daily activities as the brain repeatedly tries to counteract overstimulation by releasing chemicals that can depress moods. Instead of using substances to achieve a high or a euphoria, someone might begin using substances just to feel their earlier baseline rather than