Recovering addicts who failed to take steps to deal with the stress in their lives were more susceptible to craving  — a major predictor of relapse — according to researchers at Penn State University.

Sify News reported June 24 that researchers analyzed recovery diaries kept by college students in recovery and found that those who avoided problems in their lives rather than dealing with them were more likely to experience craving when they experienced stress or negative moods.

“When faced with stress, addicts who have more adaptive coping skills appear to have a better chance of staying in recovery,” said researcher H. Harrington Cleveland.

The study appears in the journal Addictive Behaviors.