Find support for Cannabis and PTSD

Individually, cannabis addictions and PTSD have undeniable ramifications on an individual’s life. If you frequently use cannabis to relieve PTSD and find yourself reliant on the substance, you must obtain professional treatment.

Understanding that doing so is easier said than done, especially when cannabis and PTSD control your every waking moment, so we have shared a wealth of information below that we hope will help you.

Should you find yourself ready to overcome your cannabis disorder and PTSD, please call us directly on 01908 489 421.

A Brief Introduction Into PTSD

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder as it is otherwise known, arises when an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event such as assault, abuse, health problems, war and conflict.

Classed as an anxiety disorder, PTSD can arise weeks, months and even years after a traumatic event and has devastating consequences on an individual’s physical and psychological health.

Self-Medicating With Cannabis

Although professional support and treatment is available for PTSD, the stigmas associated with the mental health disorder see many apprehensive about discussing the trauma that has significantly impaired their life.

Instead, many choose to self-medicate with cannabis, especially as medical cannabis, or CBD as it is otherwise known, has become widely employed in the United States and Canada.

Those that choose to self-medicate with cannabis often do so as the high associated with cannabis temporarily relieves the symptoms that come hand-in-hand with PTSD.

However, when cannabis is used as a form of self-medication, the risk of developing a cannabis addiction and dependency is much greater.

Effects Of Cannabis Use

In the last decade, cannabis use across the world is thought to have risen by 60%.  At present, it is estimated that more than 250 million people consume cannabis at some point in their life.

While cannabis users are often unlikely to consider the long-term effects that cannabis use has on their physical and psychological health, understanding the impact of cannabis use is vital.

To help you appreciate the effects of cannabis use, we have outlined the physical and psychological effects of cannabis use below.

Physical Effects Of Cannabis Use

The physical effects of cannabis use are often short-lived and alleviate within 24 hours.  Yet, when consumed over a prolonged period, cannabis can increase the risk of long-term health complications.

The health complications often associated with cannabis use include the following.

  • A weakened immune system
  • Digestive system problems
  • Respiratory illnesses
  • Organ failure
  • Cancer

 

Psychological Effects Of Cannabis Use

When consumed, THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, produces an almost instant high and makes users feel good for a short period.

As cannabis relieves the symptoms associated with PTSD, many believe that frequently using cannabis can help them cope with their untreated PTSD.  As a result, the long-term psychological effects of cannabis use are overlooked.

However, research has highlighted that the psychological effects of cannabis use can cause psychological disorders to become more intense. 

For example, frequent cannabis use contributes to intensified physical, psychological and emotional PTSD symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, depression, paranoia, flashbacks and hallucinations. Cannabis use can also impair cognitive function.

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Cannabis Use Among Those With PTSD Continues To Soar

As highlighted above, cannabis use can often result in co-occurring mental health disorders.

Although cannabis use is not known to instigate PTSD, cannabis use among those suffering from PTSD is exceptionally high.

Research conducted by the US Department of Veterans concludes that more than 40,000 veterans who have PTSD have been diagnosed with a cannabis addiction.

Furthermore, 65% of individuals struggling with PTSD following trauma have used cannabis to alleviate the symptoms associated with their mental health disorder.

Sadly, as the number of people turning to cannabis to self-medicate continues to rise, the demand for dual diagnosis treatment does too.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment For Cannabis and PTSD

Treatment for cannabis is widely available via rehabs such as our own. Yet only one in seven people secure treatment for a cannabis addiction.  Likewise, only a small fraction of individuals who have PTSD obtain treatment.

Although cannabis addictions and PTSD can be treated individually, when the conditions coexist, dual diagnosis treatment must be obtained.  This is because coexisting addictions and mental health disorders must be treated simultaneously if treatment is to be effective.

At Asana Lodge, we offer dual diagnosis treatment to individuals from all walks of life.  Regardless of the traumatic event that has caused you to struggle with PTSD, we have the resources, experience and knowledge required to enable you to regain control of your life and overcome your cannabis addiction.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment At Asana Lodge

At Asana Lodge, we administer dual diagnosis treatment on a residential basis.  Combining a variety of treatments, our dual diagnosis treatment is highly effective and has helped many individuals transform their life for the better.

If you struggle with a cannabis addiction and PTSD, you will likely undergo dual diagnosis treatment.  Combined, this treatment programme will enable your body and brain to recover from the ramifications of your coexisting disorder.

Although the treatment you receive will be dependent upon the results of a clinical assessment, you will likely undergo cognitive behavioural therapy.

You will also be offered the opportunity to take advantage of our Satori Chair Therapy which is known to be practical in treating coexisting disorders.

Contact Us Today For Cannabis and PTSD Treatment

If you have previously experienced or witnessed a trauma that has caused your life to become crippled by PTSD and have sadly become reliant on cannabis, it is in your best interest to complete a dual diagnosis treatment programme.

We understand that taking the first step in overcoming your coexisting disorder is extremely challenging, yet doing so will enable you to reduce the overall impact that cannabis and PTSD has.

To find out more about our dual diagnosis treatment, why not contact us today?  We can inform you of the treatment you may be offered, and we can answer any questions you may have.

 

 

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Asana Lodge is a leading UK based expert in Private Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment. Find out how we can help by getting in touch with our friendly team today.

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John Gillen - Author - Last Updated: 9 July 2021

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of Nad+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. his passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases.

The journey continues, in recent times john has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with Nad+ scientists and the very best of the medical profession in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Clinics own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists, Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with Nad+ therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.

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Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist)

Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist) - Clinical Reviewer - Last Reviewed: 21/02/2022 12:00 am

MBBS, PG Dip Clin Ed, OA Dip CBT, OA Dip Psychology, SCOPE Certified

Dr Lapa graduated in Medicine in 2000 and since this time has accrued much experience working in the widest range of psychiatric settings with differing illness presentations and backgrounds in inpatient, community and secure settings. This has been aligned to continuation of professional development at postgraduate level in clinical research which has been very closely related to the everyday clinical practice conducted by this practitioner as a NHS and Private Psychiatrist.
He is fully indemnified by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) and MIAB Expert Insurance for Psychiatric and Private Medical practice. He is fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK with a licence to practice.

Dr Lapa is approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (1983)

Member of Independent Doctors Federation (IDF), British Association for Psychopharmacology (BMA) and The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO)

Dr Lapa’s extensive experience has also concentrated on the following areas of clinical practice:
– Assessment, Diagnosis and Pharmacological Treatment for Adults with ADHD.
– Drug and Alcohol Dependency and maintaining abstinence and continued recovery
– Intravenous and Intramuscular Vitamin and Mineral Infusion Therapy
– Dietary and Weight Management and thorough care from assessment to treatment to end goals and maintenance
– Aesthetic Practice and Procedures