Cocaine & PTSD Support
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD as it is otherwise known, is a grave mental health disorder that arises from traumatic events. Thought to affect 8 million people each year, only a small fraction of those living with the mental health disorder seek treatment.
Sadly, undiagnosed and untreated PTSD can have adverse effects. In some instances, individuals will turn to substances, including cocaine, for relief. Should you find the quality of your life impaired by cocaine and PTSD, you must secure treatment.
If you are worried that a loved one, friend or employee struggles with cocaine and PTSD, understanding PTSD and cocaine in greater detail will enable you to help them secure treatment.
Understanding and Recognising PTSD
PTSD is a somewhat common mental health disorder that arises from traumatic events such as combat, life-changing accidents, physical assault, sexual assault, abuse, life-threatening illnesses, and the death of a loved one.
Although not everyone who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event will struggle with PTSD, 4 in 100 people in the United Kingdom find their lives impaired by the disorder.
If PTSD is impairing your life, you will experience various psychological symptoms that will gradually impact your physical health and behaviour.
These symptoms often include, but are not limited to, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, pessimistic feelings, nightmares, distress, physical pain, nausea and a sense of overwhelming fear and worry.
Treatment For PTSD
Unbeknown to many, treatment is available for PTSD. Often consisting of cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy, these psychological therapies have helped thousands of individuals overcome the pessimistic thoughts and feelings associated with PTSD.
Yet, due to stigmas, a lack of treatment availability and waiting times, a large proportion of those affected by PTSD continue to suffer in silence. Instead, many take matters into their own hands and attempt to self-medicate using substances such as cocaine.
Get In Touch
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.
Cocaine and PTSD
Between 23 and 42% of cocaine users are believed to simultaneously struggle with PTSD. Thought to offer short-term relief from the symptoms of PTSD, cocaine dispenses a temporary euphoric feeling, leaving many individuals feeling happier, energetic and optimistic.
However, as noted above, these sensations only offer short-term relief. In fact, the effects of cocaine are thought to reduce after 40 minutes.
As the side effects of cocaine wear off, PTSD often intensifies. In turn, symptoms such as those noted above become intolerable.
Having come to experience the relief that cocaine offers, many people living with PTSD will once again snort, smoke or inject cocaine to help them cope with the crippling symptoms encountered.
Sadly, frequently using cocaine to manage a mental health disorder such as PTSD can lead to cocaine addictions.
Understanding Cocaine Addictions
Defined as a chronic condition that results from consuming large quantities of harmful substances, cocaine addictions continue to have undeniable ramifications on the lives of millions.
However, cocaine users often overlook the ramifications that cocaine has and continue to chase the high the drug offers.
Although not everyone who consumes cocaine will develop an addiction to the substance, individuals with PTSD are at greater risk of becoming reliant on cocaine.
Identifying If A Cocaine Addiction Is Present
Just as numerous symptoms indicate whether PTSD is present, various symptoms stipulate that a cocaine addiction is.
Common symptoms associated with cocaine addictions include;
- Reduced appetite
- Changes in eating patterns
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Financial problems
- Changes in appearance
- Intense cravings
Treatment For Cocaine and PTSD
While treatment is widely available for cocaine and PTSD, a reduction in treatment referrals has been observed.
Although this is often a result of the stigmas connected to addictions and mental health disorders, it can also be because insufficient information regarding cocaine and PTSD treatment is available online.
If you find your life impaired by cocaine and PTSD, it is not enough to simply secure treatment for your addiction or mental health disorder. Instead, you must obtain dual diagnosis treatment.
With the ability to simultaneously treat cocaine and PTSD problems, dual diagnosis is the most effective form of treatment.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment At Asana Lodge
Here at Asana Lodge, our dual diagnosis treatment is administered on a residential basis at our private drug and alcohol located in Towcester.
Combining several industry-leading treatments such as medically induced detoxifications, psychotherapy and well-being therapy, much of our treatment focuses on brain and body restoration.
While the treatments outlined above are often administered, it should be noted that coexisting cocaine and PTSD problems require personalised treatments.
This essentially means that the treatment you encounter at our rehab will be personalised to your cocaine and PTSD needs.
To ensure that a personalised dual diagnosis treatment programme can be generated, upon entering our rehab, we will initiate a clinical assessment. This assessment will enable us to assess your physical and psychological health and understand the impact cocaine and PTSD has had on your life.
Although we cannot determine the exact treatment you will undergo at our rehab without discussing your disorders with you, you may encounter cognitive behavioural therapy.
Administered on a one-to-one basis with a counsellor, cognitive behavioural therapy will help you identify your cocaine addiction and PTSD.
You will also become much more aware of your emotions surrounding these disorders, and you will be encouraged to understand how they have negatively impacted your behaviour. In doing so, you will have the ability to learn how to alter your thoughts and obtain an optimistic outlook.
Not only will cognitive behavioural therapy help relieve the symptoms associated with your PTSD, but it will help you overcome your addiction as you learn how to manage your thoughts and feelings.
Aftercare Support
At Asana Lodge, we are dedicated to your recovery and sobriety, which is why we will provide you with 12-months of cocaine and PTSD aftercare support upon completing dual diagnosis treatment.
Aftercare support will see you invited to attend weekly group sessions. You will also be offered one-to-one therapy, should it be required.
Get In Touch
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.
Contact Us Today
If you are ready to address your struggles with cocaine and PTSD, contact us today to secure dual diagnosis treatment.
Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner) - Clinical Reviewer - Last Reviewed: 19/12/2023 2:30 pm
Dr. Otulana is a highly skilled General Practitioner and Addiction Specialist. He possesses extensive expertise in the field of Substance Misuse Management and boasts a diverse background in evaluating, overseeing (including detox procedures), and overseeing the residential recovery of individuals grappling with various drug and substance addiction issues. His primary goal is to conduct thorough assessments of patients dealing with addiction issues and determine their medical detoxification and psychological treatment requirements. Dr. Otulana is well-versed in caring for patients who need dual drug and alcohol detoxification therapies.
In addition to his medical qualifications, Dr. Otulana is a proficient healthcare professional who holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from the prestigious Cambridge University Judge Business School.
