Meth and PTSD as a Dual Diagnosis

Hope and Healing for Meth and PTSD as a Dual Diagnosis – Integrated Treatment at Purpose Healing Center

The Effects of Meth on Mental Health

Despite the fact that trauma survivors sometimes use substances like methamphetamine to cope with their mental health, the adverse effects of meth on mental health can be intense. Substances like meth and cocaine are central nervous system stimulants. Sometimes called “uppers,” they’re known to make anxiety worse.

Methamphetamine abuse can cause other mental health-related symptoms, too. These include:

• Psychosis symptoms, like hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, and suspiciousness.
• A decline in one’s ability to complete self-care tasks (e.g., personal hygiene).
• Cognitive impairment and memory loss.
• Changes in personality.
• Irritability or agitation.
• Mood swings.

Meth use can cause worsened existing mental health symptoms, new mental health concerns, or both. You’ll likely find that meth makes it hard to process your emotions. This makes healing from trauma while using meth difficult.

Can Meth Increase PTSD Symptoms?

Yes. Only trauma can cause post-traumatic stress disorder itself. That said, drugs like meth can increase PTSD symptom severity. This makes sense when you look at the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and the overlap it has with the effects of methamphetamine.

Let’s take trouble sleeping as an example. It goes without saying that meth use can make this worse. Similarly, people with PTSD often experience symptoms like anxiety that could be made worse by a stimulant with the potential to cause them.

Research shows that stimulant users, in fact, tend to experience greater (more significant) PTSD symptoms.

With all of this said, addiction and PTSD are nothing to be ashamed of. Identifying why you use meth can help you understand your needs so that you can meet them in healthier ways. That’s part of what we’ll focus on during treatment.

Get Accredited Treatment Programs at Purpose

Treating Trauma in Drug Rehab for Alcohol Abuse

Purpose Healing Center shines a trauma-informed light on drug and alcohol abuse treatment. Here’s how the programs at our accredited rehab centers in Phoenix and Scottsdale can help you beat meth use and PTSD.

Detox for Meth Abuse

Withdrawal symptoms can occur when your meth use first ends. These symptoms might be emotional or physical in nature. Initial (acute) meth withdrawal symptoms dissipate within about two weeks or less. Some symptoms, like drug cravings, can take longer to go away–these are called protracted withdrawals.

Purpose Healing Center has a medical team who will help you get through the acute meth withdrawal process safely. They will provide regular monitoring, medication, and other treatments. For example, nutrition and hydration support.

Inpatient and Outpatient Meth Rehab Programs

After detox, attending a therapy program matters. Rehab programs for meth use can operate on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Purpose Healing Center has a full continuum of care for drug abuse and comorbid PTSD. In addition to detox, we offer:

• Residential inpatient rehab.
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP).
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP).
• Outpatient programs.

A step down approach will often be recommended in addiction treatment. For example, you may start with a higher level of care, like inpatient rehab or PHP, followed by a lower level of care, like IOP.

Evidence-Based Treatments for PTSD

The mental health professionals at Purpose Healing Center use the most practical and up-to-date therapies for PTSD. Evidence-based treatments for PTSD include but are not limited to the following.

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy.

Purpose Healing Center will work with you to customize your treatment plan. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about what to expect during the treatment process.

Medication for PTSD

Sometimes, medications can be used as an add-on to therapy for PTSD. Usually, medications prescribed for PTSD will include antidepressant drugs. For example:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like Prozac, Paxil, or Zoloft.
• Selective norephedrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), like Effexor.

Clients with PTSD and bipolar disorder may benefit from mood stabilizers. We have providers who are able to prescribe and manage medication for mental health and addiction.

Effective Treatments for Meth Use

Much like our approach to trauma treatment, Purpose Healing Center uses the most effective treatments for drug or alcohol abuse. Treatment for meth addiction often involves behavioral approaches such as the following.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
• Contingency Management.
• 12-Step.

This is not a complete list of the addiction therapies we offer. Family therapy sessions, motivational therapies, holistic treatments, skill groups, and other treatments will also be involved in your treatment plan.

Help for Other Mental Disorders

Like PTSD, anxiety disorders and mood disorders like depression are linked to trauma. In some cases, a person with PTSD and meth addiction could have another mental health disorder. If you need help for mental health disorders, like anxiety, Purpose Healing Center can help.

We have providers who specialize in substance abuse, PTSD, and a broad range of other mental health conditions. We’ll gain a full understanding of what you’re going through during the intake process so that we know how to support you best.

Aftercare and Alumni Program

Purpose Healing Center helps each client create an aftercare plan before treatment ends. Your aftercare plan will help you prevent substance abuse relapse and navigate day-to-day life after intensive treatment. It may involve ongoing therapy, sober housing, or something else.

We also have an alumni program that helps former clients stay connected to the support system they established in treatment. Purpose Healing Center is here for you from day one to the aftercare process and beyond.