I'm not sure you've made a point for a PTSD diagnosis, but then again, a true OD with all of the attendant health care proceedures and attention could traumatize someone enough so that they would begin to exhibit signs and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
IF this were a one time event, that would be one thing, but usually cocaine overdoses happen when someone has been using for quite some time.
When a frequent user of mood-altering drugs suddenly stops using, a couple of questions should be addressed:
How were you feeling about yourself and life in general before you started using the first time?
When you would continue to use, what were the feelings and thoughts that would drive you to taking the next dose?
On the day of your overdose, was there any particular problem or challenge in your life that really stood out?
You see, habitual use is driven as much by the physical addiction as it is by related emotional disturbances.
When someone OD's and stops taking their drug of choice (it sounds as if you stopped because you had the sh-t scared out of you) the person is still left with the underlying problems that caused them to use drugs to excess in the first place.
Just a guess here, but I would imagine that when you first began using Coke, you were not a real social butterfly. Using Coke probably brought out "the best in you" in so far as being able to party toe-to-toe with your friends.
Coke lessens inhibitions, and so the user suddenly becomes more productive, more of a social animal and "king of the world" in many ways.
It sounds to me like you stopped your use "cold-turkey" without any sort of therapy involved. That is really dangerous; almost more dangerous than using in the first place.
It will sound crazy, but I would advise you to check into rehab. Explain to them honestly your level of use of the drug, let them know you have stopped without using a support system, and tell them of the problems you are having with isolation.
Some rehab programs actually prefer to get ahold of people who have been clean for a certain length of time, because sobriety without support can show a person just how much they need care.
For starters, locate the nearest Narcotics Anonymous meeting (See link below) ask your coke buddies if one of them will go with you to your first meeting. Ask ten people and you are bound to find a few who have been in and out of the doors of NA.
Avoid calling this PTSD unless a doctor has diagnosed that condition.
You are dealing with the consequences of your own behavior, as well as a likely addiction to Coke (an illness), and the sooner you begin to look at your situation in that manner, the sooner you will take charge of your own life (without drugs) and re-enter the world.
In any Twelve Step Program, the first step is actually two part:
1. We came to admit that we were powerless over COKE, that our lives had become unmanageable.
You are a dry addict. You have stopped using the thing that you have no power over, BUT you have not addressed the issue of "how do I control my life without COKE as my manager?"
May God Grant you the serinity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference!
G.E.T.
Registered Nurse (retired)
Former Drug and Alcohol Counselor, US Army
2007-02-17 13:11:41
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answer #1
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answered by gordios_thomas_icxc 4
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You are not alone. I've experienced these same things. I already had PTSD when a cocaine overdose made it much much worse. There are drugs that can help some, but they have very negative side effects, at least in my experience. I've been on some of them.
I highly recommend that you go to http://www.truehope.com and take a close look at the product discussed there. It is currently being studied at 8 different universities as a treatment for various central nervous system disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and depression, for example.
Also, on the same site you can use the message boards if you become a member and there is tremendous support there. This may feel safer for you now than going out, and that's fine.
I use this product, called EmpowerPlus, and it has changed my life. The story of how it came to be is still available until Feb 26 or so (I think about 200 copies of the book left and then it will be going out of print and will be published under a different name). The book is called These Painted Wings by Autumn Stringham. I highly recommend this book, as Autumn experienced similar symptoms to yours. You will be encouraged by her story, I'm sure, if you read it.
Another thing that may help is a product called phosphatidyl choline, which can be taken along with the EmpowerPlus. It stops Intrusive Thoughts in their tracks. But the EmpowerPlus will actually stop the voices and start healing the brain. It is nothing short of miraculous breakthrough in treating mental illness, including PTSD.
You are worth checking this out. I really hope that you do.
2007-02-17 12:29:56
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answer #2
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answered by Samslou 3
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If you hear voices you possibly have got some type of schitzophrenia, and whatever you do, dont take any drugs, it really agrivates someone who is schitzophrenic(thats if you are)...smoking cigarettes and cannabis can affect some people with metal illness when it wouldnt a regular person.. go see a doctor
2007-02-17 13:34:48
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answer #3
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answered by Kaz 1
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what you need to do is go see your doctor..only they can help you through this bad time..if there are any drugs to help you, they can prescribe them for you..if your friends where the ones to allow you to overdose, then shunning them was good, but if you at least have a friend to help you through this, i would get with them for support. im sure you have some family member that could help you, a parent, sibling, cousin..dont do this alone. it just makes it worse for you..if you need to talk, email me at any time..
2007-02-17 12:31:03
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answer #4
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answered by Nikkib 4
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i have ptsd and i take zoloft and geodon to help me
2007-02-19 03:26:42
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answer #5
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answered by mkandfa4rever 3
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