Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

Which of the following is considered an external stressor?

1. Feelings of hopelessness

2. Depression

3. Loss of a job

4. Substance abuse

The correct answer is: Loss of a job

An external stressor refers to an outside factor that can contribute to a person’s stress response. Loss of a job is a significant life event that typically comes with economic implications, social changes, and can severely impact an individual’s self-esteem and sense of security. This type of stressor is external because it originates from circumstances in the environment rather than internal psychological or emotional states. Feelings of hopelessness and depression are manifestations of internal psychological states and are not considered external stressors. Similarly, substance abuse is a behavioral condition typically viewed as a consequence of various factors, including internal struggles and external social contexts, but it is not itself an external stressor. Thus, the loss of a job stands out as a clear example of an external stressor impacting an individual's life.