Why Gardening Could Be One of the Best Things You Ever Do for Your Anxiety

Difference to Rehab

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:52:59 GMT

Do I Need Rehab? The Difference Between Residential Rehab and Private Intensive Therapy

If you've found yourself asking, “Do I actually need to go to rehab?”, there's a good chance things have already reached a point where you know something needs to change.

Perhaps cocaine or alcohol is taking up more space in your life than you ever intended. Perhaps you've tried stopping, cutting down, setting rules or promising yourself that this weekend will be different, only to find yourself back in the same position again.

But at the same time, the word rehab might not feel as though it fits you at all.

You're still working.
You're running the business.
You're paying the mortgage.
You're taking the children to school.
People rely on you.

And if you told most people in your life that you were considering addiction treatment, they would probably be shocked.

This is something I see frequently with high-functioning clients.

So does needing help automatically mean you need residential rehab?

No. But equally importantly, there are circumstances where residential or medically supervised treatment absolutely is the right option.

The important question isn't whether you fit somebody's idea of an “addict”. It's what level and type of support do you actually need?

What actually happens in private rehab?

Residential rehab is much more than therapy.

You're paying for an entire treatment environment.

Typically, private residential addiction treatment can include medical and psychological assessment, medically supervised detoxification where required, 24-hour support, accommodation, meals, individual therapy, group therapy, CBT and other psychological therapies, relapse-prevention work, emotional-regulation strategies, family support, structured daily activities, peer support and aftercare.

Some premium centres also provide specialist trauma treatments such as EMDR, DBT, complementary therapies, exercise, mindfulness, equine therapy and psychiatric support.

The important part is the residential environment .

You are temporarily removed from normal life, access to substances and many of your usual triggers while a multidisciplinary team supports you.

For somebody who is physically dependent on a substance, requires medical detoxification, is unsafe in their existing environment or needs 24-hour support, that can be incredibly important.

But not everybody who needs serious help needs to live in a treatment centre

This is where the distinction becomes important.

There is another group of people I see frequently.

They are still functioning.

Sometimes exceptionally well.

They may be directors, business owners, executives and professionals carrying enormous amounts of responsibility.

The problem hasn't necessarily destroyed their career or finances. - Yet.

But privately, things are very different.

Perhaps cocaine started socially and has gradually become a Friday night certainty.

Perhaps Friday became Thursday and Friday.

Perhaps alcohol has become the only reliable way of switching their brain off after work.

Perhaps they can stop for several weeks but eventually something happens — pressure, stress, an argument, a night out, boredom, loneliness, a difficult client — and suddenly they're back in the same cycle.

And one of the most frustrating parts is that they know better .

They're intelligent.

They understand the consequences.

They genuinely mean it when they say they're stopping.

So why isn't knowing that something is damaging your life enough to make you stop?

Because stopping the behaviour and changing why you need it are two different things

This is where my approach differs.

Rather than focusing solely on the cocaine, alcohol or behaviour itself, I want to understand what it is doing for you .

Because behaviours that make absolutely no logical sense can make a great deal of emotional sense.

Maybe it switches your brain off.
Maybe it gives you confidence.
Maybe it gives you stimulation.
Maybe it's your reward.
Maybe it temporarily removes anxiety.
Maybe it's the one time you stop thinking about everyone else's problems.
Maybe you're living with ADHD or suspect you may have it and stimulation, impulsivity, reward and the inability to mentally switch off are part of the picture.
Or perhaps something entirely different is happening.

Until we understand that, we're trying to remove the solution without properly understanding the problem.

This is where the Pressure Loop Method™ comes in

With my private clients, we begin by mapping the complete pattern rather than simply concentrating on the behaviour at the end of it.

We look at what happens before you use, what you're thinking and feeling, what your triggers are, what the behaviour gives you in that moment and where some of those emotional responses and beliefs originated.

From there, my work combines Rapid Transformational Therapy and hypnotherapy with elements of CBT, NLP,

psychotherapy, nervous-system and emotional-regulation work, behavioural change, trigger work and identity work.

The aim is not simply to make you better at saying no .

It is to understand and change the pattern that keeps creating the yes - then disrupt that pattern and create a different one!

So what is the difference?

One isn't simply “better” than the other

They are designed to meet different needs.

If somebody needs medical detoxification, 24-hour supervision or the safety and structure of a residential environment, I would never suggest that hypnotherapy or outpatient therapy should replace that.

Sometimes rehab is exactly where somebody needs to be.

But needing help doesn't automatically mean somebody needs residential treatment either.

There is a significant space between:

“I can sort this out myself.”

and

“I need to leave my life and go into rehab.”

That's the space in which much of my work sits.

Why working within real life can matter

There is also an interesting difference between changing within a protected environment and changing while continuing to experience everyday life.

Eventually, everyone leaving residential treatment has to return to their triggers.

The stressful meeting.
The argument.
Friday evening.
The client dinner.
The friends who use cocaine.
The business pressure.
The racing mind at 11pm.
Just because...

My private work takes place while the client is navigating those situations, which means we can work with what is actually happening as it arises.

For the right person, that can be extremely valuable.

We're not just talking theoretically about how you'll respond when life becomes stressful again.

Life is happening while we're doing the work.

How do I know which kind of help I need?

This is probably the most important question.

If you're physically dependent on alcohol or another substance where withdrawal could present a medical risk, require detoxification, need 24-hour psychiatric or medical support, are unsafe in your current environment or simply cannot stop using while remaining within that environment, you should seek appropriate medical or residential addiction treatment.

But if you're still functioning, don't require medical detoxification or residential supervision, and recognise that something is becoming increasingly difficult to control despite repeated attempts to change it, an intensive private therapeutic approach may be worth exploring.

You don't need to diagnose yourself before asking for help.

And you certainly don't need to wait until you've lost your relationship, damaged your career or reached somebody else's definition of “rock bottom” before deciding that enough is enough.

Private support for high-functioning professionals

My Executive Optimisation Programme is designed for professionals, executives and business owners who want intensive, confidential and highly personalised support without unnecessarily stepping away from their career, business or family.

We look beyond the behaviour itself to understand the pressure, beliefs, emotions, triggers and subconscious patterns underneath it — and then work systematically to change them.

Because my objective isn't simply to help you become better at fighting yourself.

It's to help you understand why the fight keeps happening in the first place.

If you're unsure whether this approach is appropriate for you, the first step is simply a confidential conversation.

I'll listen to what's actually happening, what you've tried and what you want to change.

If I believe you need a different level of support, I'll tell you.

And if I believe my approach could be appropriate, we can discuss what working together would look like.

No labels. No judgement. No pressure.

Just an honest conversation about what needs to change.

Book a Confidential Consultation

What if some of the medicines of the future have been growing around us all along?

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:35:37 GMT

What Have We Forgotten? The Medicines Growing Around Us

From psilocybin and Alzheimer's to ayahuasca and traditional plant medicine, what might modern science learn by looking again at nature's apothecary?

My dad has Alzheimer's, so anything I see about new research into the brain, memory or Alzheimer's tends to get my attention pretty quickly, because when somebody you love has this disease, curiosity becomes very personal.

Watching Alzheimer's gradually change somebody is incredibly difficult, because it isn't simply about forgetting names or where something has been put, it is watching conversations change, familiar abilities disappear and parts of the personality you have known your whole life become harder to reach, and there is a very frustrated part of me that keeps thinking:

After decades of research, surely there must be more that we can do?

Which is why an article I came across recently stopped me completely.

It affected me enough that I first wrote about it from a very personal perspective on LinkedIn — as a therapist fascinated by the brain, but more importantly, as a daughter watching her dad live with Alzheimer's.

It described an extraordinary case involving a woman in her 80s with advanced Alzheimer's who had experienced around ten years of cognitive decline and whose speech had reportedly been largely reduced to single words for approximately five years, yet after taking psilocybin-containing mushrooms she began spontaneously talking about autobiographical memories, alongside other reported changes in her functioning. Frontiers

Magic mushrooms.

Now you've got my attention.

But what really fascinated me was:

Where had those memories been?

If somebody appears to have lost access to memories and suddenly starts talking about them again, what happened inside her brain, what became accessible and, perhaps most importantly, what could that teach us?

Those questions have stayed with me.

Nature has always been our pharmacy

Perhaps this story resonated so strongly because I already have a deep interest in plant medicines, natural remedies and traditional approaches to healing, and I've increasingly come to believe that while we've made extraordinary medical and technological advances over the last century, we've also lost an enormous amount of knowledge, skill and connection with the natural world along the way.

We've become detached from nature and from its apothecary.

For most of human existence, knowledge of plants, fungi, roots, bark, minerals and foods was passed through generations and developed through observation and experience, whereas today most of us could walk through a woodland surrounded by plants and fungi and have absolutely no idea what we're looking at.

We've become incredibly technologically sophisticated while becoming remarkably disconnected from what is growing immediately around us.

Nature is the original pharmacy.

A woodland is chemistry, a hedgerow is chemistry, a mushroom is chemistry, and the fact that previous generations didn't have our scientific terminology doesn't mean the chemistry wasn't happening.

Psilocybin isn't something we've just discovered

This is what makes the current excitement around psilocybin so fascinating.

We talk about psychedelics as an exciting new area of research, except psilocybin isn't new.

We are.

Humans have had a relationship with psychedelic plants and fungi for centuries and, in some cases, millennia, yet many of these substances are now attracting renewed scientific attention for precisely the areas that interest me most — consciousness, memory, trauma, depression, addictive behaviour and the extraordinary workings of the human brain.

And psilocybin is far from the only example.

Ayahuasca has a long history of ceremonial and healing use among Indigenous peoples of the Amazon, and the traditional preparation itself is fascinating: plants containing DMT are combined with the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, whose compounds prevent DMT from being rapidly broken down in the body, making it orally active — something we can now describe in terms of DMT, beta-carbolines and monoamine oxidase inhibition, while the people preparing it somehow discovered the combination long before any of those words existed. Modern researchers are now investigating ayahuasca in relation to depression, anxiety, substance-use problems, emotional processing and the brain, with scientific interest increasing markedly since the turn of the millennium. PubMed

Then there is iboga, used for generations in West and Central African traditions and ceremonies, whose naturally occurring alkaloid ibogaine has attracted decades of scientific interest for its unusual effects on craving, withdrawal and addictive behaviour; and mescaline-containing peyote and San Pedro cacti, with evidence of mescaline use stretching back thousands of years, are now being revisited by researchers interested in mental wellbeing, depression and alcohol and nicotine dependence. PubMed

There is something about this pattern that I find impossible not to question.

Known. Used. Suppressed. Lost. Rediscovered. Studied.

And perhaps eventually prescribed.

We tend to think progress means discovering something nobody knew before.

Perhaps sometimes progress means rediscovering what we've forgotten.

What have we lost?

We imagine human knowledge as a straight line moving upwards, with every generation knowing more than the one before, but I don't believe knowledge works like that.

Knowledge disappears.

When skills stop being practised, they disappear; when oral traditions aren't passed down, they disappear; when cultures and traditional practices are suppressed, knowledge disappears, and when we stop teaching our children about the natural world around them, that understanding disappears too.

I believe we have lost an enormous amount.

This is one reason I've been interested in the work of naturopathic physician Dr Michael Murray and his approach to nutritional and botanical medicine, because I find the idea of bringing traditional knowledge and natural medicine into conversation with modern research far more interesting than pretending the two belong in separate worlds.

I see the natural world as an enormous living apothecary , much of which we have barely begun to understand.

And ayahuasca particularly makes me wonder: how did somebody discover that combination?

Of all the thousands of plants growing in the Amazon rainforest, how did generations of people discover that combining particular plants produced a profoundly different effect, something modern science can now explain through pharmacology?

That isn't a throwaway question.

It's fascinating.

And it makes me wonder what else we've forgotten, what knowledge disappeared before anybody thought to study it, and how much is currently growing beneath our feet while we're spending billions looking for answers elsewhere.

Then a woman with Alzheimer's takes a mushroom...

And this is why I keep coming back to that case.

A woman with advanced Alzheimer's, who had barely spoken beyond single words for years, takes psilocybin-containing mushrooms and subsequently begins talking about autobiographical memories.

How can you not want to understand that?

What changed in her brain?

Where did those memories come from?

Were they still there but somehow inaccessible?

What did psilocybin do?

And what could that teach us about Alzheimer's itself?

The researchers considered what happened sufficiently remarkable to publish the case and call for further investigation, and for me , that's where the interesting part starts. Frontiers

Maybe we've become too clever to remember how much we don't know

We know an extraordinary amount about the human brain.

And we understand nowhere near all of it.

We can scan it, map it and study its chemistry, yet memory, consciousness and the relationship between the brain, body and human experience still contain enormous mysteries, and I find that exciting because “we don't understand this yet” leaves room for discovery.

Traditional knowledge gives us generations of human observation, while modern science gives us extraordinary tools for investigating those observations, and I think bringing those worlds back together could be one of the most interesting areas of medicine.

The chemistry was always there. - We just didn't have names for it.

Which brings me back to Dad

When it's your dad who has Alzheimer's, these questions stop being academically interesting.

I want answers.

I want to understand why that woman apparently regained access to memories and abilities that seemed to have disappeared, what happened inside her brain and whether there is anything within that observation that could eventually help us understand people like my dad.

And I can't ignore the fact that the substance at the centre of this extraordinary story didn't originate in a multimillion-pound laboratory.

It came from a mushroom.

Something growing in nature that humans have known about for generations.

At a time when we're racing forwards with artificial intelligence, genetics, pharmaceuticals and increasingly sophisticated technology, I think we should also be looking backwards at what we've left behind, because I believe we've lost knowledge, we've become disconnected from nature and its apothecary, and there is an enormous amount about plants, fungi, traditional medicines and our own brains that we simply don't understand yet.

Perhaps some of the medicines of the future won't be new inventions at all.

Perhaps they'll be rediscoveries.

Perhaps the natural world has been holding an extraordinary pharmacy around us all along.

We've just forgotten how to look to nature for the answer.

And that leaves me with a much bigger question than whether psilocybin might one day teach us something about Alzheimer's:

What else have we forgotten — and what might we discover if we're open-minded enough to look again?

Why Knowing Better Doesn't Always Mean Feeling Better

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:21:43 GMT

Understanding the neuroscience behind RTT, subconscious beliefs and why lasting change often begins beneath the surface.

Have you ever found yourself doing something you know isn't good for you, promising yourself that this time will be different, only to find yourself back in exactly the same position a few days or weeks later?

Perhaps you know you need to stop overthinking, but your mind simply won't switch off, or you understand perfectly well that you don't need to please everybody, yet the thought of disappointing somebody still leaves you feeling uncomfortable. Maybe you've recognised that alcohol, cocaine or another habit has gradually become your way of managing stress, and although you genuinely want to stop, something keeps pulling you back.

It can be incredibly frustrating, particularly when you're somebody who is used to being capable, making decisions and solving problems in every other area of your life, because you know what you need to do, you understand the consequences of continuing as you are, and yet somehow that knowledge doesn't seem to be enough to change how you feel or behave.

You might even find yourself asking, “Why can’t I just get a grip on this?”

But what if the problem isn't that you're not trying hard enough? What if the behaviour you're struggling with is being influenced by something you've learned over many years, something that happens automatically, without you consciously deciding to do it?

To understand why this happens, we need to look at how our brains develop, how emotional experiences influence the way we see ourselves and why some of the patterns we learned earlier in life can continue to affect us long after the circumstances that created them have changed.

And this is where the neuroscience behind Rapid Transformational Therapy , or RTT , becomes particularly interesting.

Your brain is constantly learning, even when you don't realise it

In his fascinating book, The Little Book of Big Stuff About the Brain, neurologist and neurobiologist Dr Andrew Curran explores how our brains develop, how we learn and how our experiences and emotions influence the way we think, feel and behave.

What I particularly like about understanding the brain in this way is that it helps explain why so much of what we do isn't necessarily the result of a conscious decision, but rather the consequence of things we've learned through our experiences, relationships and the meanings we've attached to them.

Our brains contain billions of nerve cells that communicate through electrical and chemical signals, forming networks that are continually influenced by what we experience throughout our lives, and although we often think of learning as something we do deliberately, such as learning to drive or studying for an exam, our brains are also learning from the emotional experiences we have every single day.

Imagine, for example, a child who grows up receiving lots of praise for being helpful, achieving good grades and never causing any problems. Over time, that child might begin to associate being loved and accepted with being good, being successful or putting everybody else first, and although nobody has necessarily told them that they must be perfect to be worthy of love, that may be the meaning they have taken from their experiences.

Now imagine that same child thirty years later. They're a successful business owner, they have a family, people rely on them and, from the outside, they appear to have everything under control, but privately they struggle to delegate, feel responsible for everybody, find it almost impossible to relax and experience anxiety whenever they think they've disappointed somebody.

Consciously, they know they don't have to do everything. They know they're allowed to rest, they know other people are capable of making decisions and they know that making a mistake doesn't mean they're a failure. But emotionally, something very different may be happening.

Their brain may have learned an association between achievement, approval and feeling safe, and that association can continue to influence their behaviour even when it no longer makes sense in their present circumstances. This is the kind of underlying pattern we explore through RTT, because sometimes the thing you are struggling with today makes much more sense when you begin to understand what your brain learned along the way.

Why your subconscious mind can keep you stuck in patterns you want to change

When we talk about the subconscious mind, we're really talking about the many processes that influence our thoughts, feelings and behaviour without us being consciously aware of them. There isn't one particular part of the brain where the subconscious lives, but there are networks involved in memory, emotional learning, automatic responses and habits that can influence what we do before we've even had time to think about it.

Think about learning to drive. When you first started, you had to concentrate on absolutely everything, from changing gears and checking your mirrors to remembering which pedal did what, but eventually, through repetition, much of it became automatic. You no longer needed to consciously think about every individual movement because your brain had learned the pattern.

Now imagine that the same principle applies to some of your emotional responses. If you've repeatedly experienced criticism, rejection, unpredictability or pressure, your brain may have learned to respond to certain situations with anxiety, avoidance, people-pleasing or a need to control everything around you.

You don't necessarily choose to feel those things, and you may not even understand why you react so strongly, but the response can happen automatically because your brain has learned an association between a particular situation and a particular emotional response. And because you've been responding in that way for so long, it can begin to feel like part of your personality.

You might find yourself saying, “I’m just an anxious person,” or “I’ve always been a people-pleaser,” or perhaps, “I can’t relax unless everything is done.” But what if those responses aren’t simply who you are? What if some of them are patterns you’ve learned, often for very understandable reasons, that are no longer helping you live the way you want to?

This is one of the most important things I want my clients to understand, because when you begin to recognise that a response may have been learned, it opens up the possibility that you can learn a different way of responding.

Your brain is trying to protect you, even when the response is no longer helpful

Our brains are constantly interpreting information and helping us respond to the world around us, and one of their important functions is recognising potential threats and preparing us to deal with them. Several areas of the brain work together in this process, including the amygdala, which is involved in processing emotionally significant information, the hippocampus, which plays an important role in memory and context, and the prefrontal cortex, which contributes to planning, decision-making and regulating our responses.

When we're feeling particularly anxious or overwhelmed, these systems can influence the way we think and behave, which helps explain why it can become so difficult to think clearly or respond rationally when something has triggered a strong emotional reaction.

Imagine you've grown up in an environment where making mistakes resulted in criticism, conflict or disappointment. Your brain may have learned that mistakes are something to avoid because, at the time, avoiding them helped you feel safer or more accepted.

Years later, you receive a perfectly ordinary email from your manager questioning something you've done, and although your rational mind knows that one email doesn't mean your career is in danger, you suddenly feel anxious, start replaying conversations in your head and spend the rest of the evening worrying about what you've done wrong.

You might work late to make sure everything is perfect, seek reassurance from somebody else or find yourself unable to relax until the situation has been resolved. To somebody looking in from the outside, your reaction might seem completely disproportionate, but when we understand that your brain may have learned to associate criticism with threat, the response begins to make more sense.

This doesn't mean every emotional response is caused by childhood experiences, or that every difficulty has one hidden cause, but it does help us understand why exploring the beliefs and associations behind a response can be valuable. Rather than simply asking, 'What's wrong with me?', we can begin asking, 'What has my brain learned, and is that learning still helping me?'

Why we develop habits that make us feel better temporarily, even when we know they're causing problems

This is something I see frequently in my work with professionals and business owners who are struggling with anxiety, stress and addictive habits. Many of the people I work with are incredibly capable, successful individuals who manage businesses, lead teams, provide for their families and carry considerable responsibility, but behind the scenes they are often exhausted, their minds are constantly working and they have gradually developed ways of coping with the pressure that are beginning to cause problems of their own.

For some, that's alcohol or cocaine. For others, it might be gambling, overworking, excessive exercise or another behaviour that provides a temporary escape from how they're feeling. And although these behaviours can look very different, they can sometimes serve a similar emotional purpose.

Imagine you've had an incredibly stressful week, you've been making decisions all day, everybody seems to need something from you and, by the time Friday arrives, all you want is to stop thinking for a few hours. You have a drink, use cocaine or engage in another behaviour that provides some temporary relief, and for a little while, the pressure seems to disappear.

Your brain begins to associate that behaviour with feeling better. The next time you are overwhelmed, the urge appears again, and as the pattern is repeated, the association can become increasingly automatic. This is an example of reinforcement learning, where a behaviour becomes more likely to happen again because of the relief or reward associated with it.

Of course, addiction is more complex than a learned emotional response alone, and genetics, brain chemistry, environment and other factors can all contribute, but understanding what a behaviour is doing for somebody emotionally can be an important part of helping them change it.

Understanding the High-Functioning Pressure Loop

In my work, I describe this pattern as the High-Functioning Pressure Loop:

What I find particularly important about understanding this cycle is recognising that the coping behaviour may not be the original problem, but rather something the person has learned to do in response to the pressure or emotional discomfort they're experiencing. If we only concentrate on stopping the behaviour, without exploring what's driving the need for it in the first place, we may leave an important part of the problem untouched.

And this is why my approach focuses on understanding the pattern, addressing the beliefs and emotional responses that may be contributing to it, and helping clients develop healthier ways of managing the situations that previously triggered the behaviour.

Neuroplasticity: your brain can learn something new

One of the most encouraging things we know about the brain is that it isn't permanently fixed in the patterns it developed during childhood. Throughout our lives, our brains retain the ability to adapt in response to new experiences, learning and practice, a process known as neuroplasticity.

This matters because a response that has become automatic is not necessarily permanent, and although changing a deeply established pattern may take time and repetition, the brain is capable of developing new ways of responding.

Imagine somebody who has spent years believing that they must always be in control. They might understand intellectually that other people are perfectly capable of making decisions, but emotionally they feel uncomfortable whenever they have to delegate, because somewhere along the way they have associated being in control with feeling safe.

Through therapy, they begin to recognise that association, understand why it may have developed and explore the possibility that they can still be safe, valued and capable without having to manage absolutely everything. They then begin practising different responses in everyday life, perhaps delegating a task, allowing somebody else to make a decision or taking time off without feeling guilty.

Each new experience gives the brain an opportunity to learn that the feared outcome does not necessarily happen. This is one of the reasons I place so much importance on the work that happens after an RTT session, because understanding where a pattern may have developed is valuable, but learning to respond differently in everyday situations is what helps that understanding become part of your life.

Can we change the emotional meaning of something that happened in the past?

This is where another fascinating area of neuroscience becomes relevant to RTT. For many years, memories were often thought of as relatively fixed recordings of past events, but research has shown that memory is much more dynamic than that, and under certain conditions, recalling a memory can make aspects of it open to updating through a process known as memory reconsolidation.

In simple terms, this means that when we revisit an emotional memory and encounter new information or a different perspective, there may be an opportunity for new learning to influence the way that memory affects us.

Imagine somebody who remembers being humiliated at school. Perhaps they were laughed at in front of the class, criticised by a teacher or made to feel that they weren't clever enough, and although they've gone on to achieve considerable success as an adult, they still carry the belief that they're somehow not good enough.

They might constantly compare themselves with others, struggle to accept compliments or feel anxious whenever they are asked to speak in front of a group. During therapy, they may revisit that experience from their current adult perspective and begin to recognise that the conclusion they reached as a child was not necessarily an accurate reflection of who they were.

Perhaps the experience said more about the behaviour of the person who humiliated them than it did about their own worth. The event itself has not changed, but the meaning they have attached to it may begin to change, and when that meaning changes, the emotional response associated with it may change too.

This is an important principle behind the reframing work used in RTT, although memory reconsolidation is a complex scientific process, and we cannot assume that every therapeutic reframe produces it or that memories are permanently rewritten. The purpose of exploring earlier experiences is not to erase the past, but to help somebody develop a healthier understanding of themselves and the experiences that may have influenced them.

So how does Rapid Transformational Therapy actually work?

RTT combines hypnosis with therapeutic exploration, reframing and other psychological techniques to help clients understand and address the patterns that may be contributing to their difficulties. The way I use RTT is centred around understanding not just what's happening, but why it may be happening, because very often somebody has already spent years trying to manage the symptom without fully understanding the beliefs or emotional associations that may be contributing to it.

First, we explore the pattern

Before trying to change anything, we look at what is happening in your life, what triggers the response and what you experience emotionally before, during and afterwards. For somebody struggling with anxiety, that might involve understanding why particular situations create such a strong reaction, while for somebody struggling with an unwanted habit, we might explore what the behaviour provides and what they are trying to escape or manage when the urge appears.

Sometimes people begin to recognise connections they have never considered before, such as the relationship between their need for control and their fear of making mistakes, or the way they have learned to associate achievement with feeling valued.

Then we use hypnosis to explore beneath conscious awareness.

Hypnosis is a state of focused attention in which a person may become more responsive to therapeutic suggestion, and although it's often portrayed in films as somebody being unconscious or losing control, that's not what happens during a therapeutic session. You're still involved in the process, you can communicate with me and you're not surrendering control of your mind.

Brain-imaging research has identified changes in activity and communication between networks involved in attention, self-awareness and cognitive control during hypnosis, which helps us understand why it can provide a useful setting for focused therapeutic work.

During an RTT session, we use that focused state to explore relevant experiences, emotions and beliefs that may be contributing to the present problem. We're not assuming that every issue began in childhood, and we're certainly not looking to blame parents or suggest that every difficulty has one hidden cause, but we are looking for connections that may help explain why a particular response has become so established.

It's also important to understand that memory is reconstructive, and hypnosis doesn't guarantee accurate recall, so the purpose of exploring memories is to understand the meaning somebody attaches to their experiences rather than treating everything recalled as verified historical fact.

We challenge the old meaning

Once we have identified a belief that may be contributing to the problem, we can begin to question it. Is it actually true? Was it ever true? Was it simply the conclusion you reached at a time when you did not have the understanding, experience or resources you have now?

For example, a child might interpret a parent's emotional unavailability as evidence that they're not lovable, whereas an adult can recognise that somebody else's inability to provide emotional support doesn't determine their worth. That new understanding can create an opportunity to develop a different emotional response.

And rather than simply repeating positive statements, the aim is to help the client develop a perspective that feels meaningful, believable and relevant to their life today.

Finally, we reinforce the new learning

Following the RTT session, I create a personalised transformational audio based on the work we've completed together, which clients listen to regularly as part of their integration. The purpose is to reinforce the new perspective and support the development of healthier responses, while the practical work that follows gives clients opportunities to apply what they've learned in everyday situations.

If you've worked on the belief that you must always put everybody else first, for example, you need opportunities to practise setting boundaries, and if you've been relying on alcohol to manage pressure, you need alternative ways to respond to stress and the situations that previously triggered the urge. The audio supports the therapeutic work, but meaningful change also involves what happens outside the session.

Why can RTT sometimes produce change relatively quickly?

One of the questions people often ask me is why RTT can be delivered over a relatively short period compared with some other therapeutic approaches. Part of the answer lies in the way the process is structured, because rather than concentrating exclusively on discussing the symptom, RTT brings together therapeutic exploration, hypnosis, reframing and integration within a focused approach.

For some clients, recognising a connection they had not previously understood can be a significant turning point. They may have spent years believing that their anxiety, lack of confidence or unwanted habits are simply part of who they are, and when they begin to understand how those responses may have developed, they can start relating to themselves differently.

That does not mean everybody experiences immediate change, or that one session can resolve every difficulty, because the time required will depend on the individual, the complexity of the problem and the circumstances surrounding it.

Research supports hypnosis as a potentially useful intervention for some conditions, including anxiety, but research specifically establishing the effectiveness of RTT as a complete, distinct method remains limited. For complex trauma, substance dependence or significant mental health difficulties, additional or specialist support may also be appropriate.

What matters is finding an approach that addresses your individual circumstances rather than assuming that one method will work for everybody.

Why understanding the root of a problem can make such a difference

One of the things I find most rewarding about my work is seeing somebody begin to understand themselves in a way they haven't before, because very often they've spent years feeling frustrated with themselves, believing they should be able to manage their anxiety, stop a particular behaviour or simply think their way out of how they're feeling.

But when we begin to explore the pattern, something can shift. They start to recognise that their need for control may be connected to feeling unsafe, that their people-pleasing may have developed from a fear of rejection, or that the habit they have been trying so hard to stop has become a way of managing emotional discomfort they have not known how to deal with differently.

And once we understand those connections, we can begin working on the beliefs, emotional responses and behaviours that are contributing to the problem, rather than concentrating exclusively on trying to suppress the symptom.

The goal isn't to become somebody completely different, and it certainly isn't to spend the rest of your life analysing everything that happened in your childhood. It's to understand yourself well enough to recognise the patterns that are no longer helping you, develop healthier ways of responding and begin feeling more comfortable being yourself, without the constant pressure, anxiety or unwanted habits that have been taking up so much of your life.

Your brain has spent years learning how to respond to the world around you, and it still has the capacity to learn. Sometimes the most useful question is not, “How do I force myself to stop doing this?” It is, “What is driving this pattern, and what needs to change underneath it?” That is where our work begins.

Frequently Asked Questions About RTT and the Brain

What is the neuroscience behind Rapid Transformational Therapy?

RTT draws on principles associated with emotional learning, memory, neuroplasticity and hypnosis, exploring how our experiences and learned beliefs may influence the way we think, feel and behave. By combining therapeutic exploration with hypnosis, reframing and integration, RTT aims to help clients understand patterns that may be operating outside conscious awareness and develop healthier responses. Although several of the principles used within RTT have scientific foundations, research specifically evaluating RTT as a complete treatment remains limited.

Can RTT really change subconscious beliefs?

Our beliefs are not necessarily fixed, and many of the conclusions we reach about ourselves develop through our experiences rather than through deliberate, conscious decisions. RTT aims to help clients identify beliefs that may be contributing to their difficulties, explore where those beliefs may have developed and begin creating a different understanding of themselves through therapeutic reframing and integration. The extent and speed of change vary between individuals, but the brain’s capacity to learn and adapt means that long-established patterns are not necessarily permanent.

What does addressing the root cause actually mean?

When I talk about addressing the root cause, I am referring to exploring the beliefs, emotional associations, experiences and circumstances that may be contributing to a problem, rather than concentrating exclusively on the symptom itself. For example, somebody may come to therapy because they struggle with anxiety, but through our work we might discover that their anxiety is closely connected to a fear of making mistakes, a need for approval or a belief that they must always be in control. That understanding gives us something more meaningful to work with, although not every difficulty has one identifiable cause.

Why do I keep repeating behaviours when I know they are bad for me?

Because knowing something intellectually does not automatically change the emotional associations and learned responses that influence your behaviour. If a particular habit has repeatedly provided relief from stress, anxiety or another uncomfortable feeling, your brain may have learned to associate that behaviour with feeling better, making it more likely that you will return to it when the same emotions appear. Understanding what triggers the behaviour and what it provides can help you begin developing healthier ways of responding.

Can hypnotherapy help with anxiety and overthinking?

Hypnotherapy may help some people manage anxiety by supporting focused attention, relaxation and changes in unhelpful thought patterns. Research has found beneficial effects for hypnosis in anxiety treatment, particularly when combined with other psychological approaches, although outcomes vary and it is not necessarily suitable as a standalone treatment for every anxiety condition. In my work, I also explore the beliefs and emotional patterns that may be contributing to the anxiety, rather than focusing exclusively on helping somebody relax.

Can RTT help with addictive habits such as alcohol or cocaine use?

RTT may form part of a broader approach to understanding the emotional triggers, beliefs and coping patterns associated with substance use, particularly where somebody has developed a habit of relying on alcohol or cocaine to manage pressure, anxiety or uncomfortable emotions. However, addiction is complex and can involve physical dependence, changes in reward processing, mental health difficulties and environmental factors, so specialist addiction treatment, medical assessment and ongoing support may also be necessary. RTT should not be considered a proven standalone treatment for substance dependence.

Does RTT involve going back to childhood?

Sometimes we explore earlier experiences where they appear relevant to the present difficulty, but that does not mean every problem began in childhood or that we need to revisit the past unnecessarily. The purpose is to understand the meanings and emotional associations that may have developed through your experiences, and whether they are still influencing how you respond today.

Can you change a belief you have held for years?

Yes, beliefs and learned responses can change through new experiences, reflection, therapeutic work and repeated practice. This is related to neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt through learning and experience, although deeply established patterns may take time to change and understanding something intellectually does not always immediately change the associated emotional response.

How quickly can RTT work?

Some clients experience meaningful changes in their understanding or emotional responses following an initial session, while others benefit from additional sessions and ongoing integration. The time required depends on the individual, the complexity of the problem and their wider circumstances, so although RTT is designed as a focused therapeutic approach, rapid or permanent results cannot be guaranteed.

Will I lose control during hypnosis?

No. Hypnosis is not unconsciousness or mind control, and you remain involved in the therapeutic process throughout the session. You can communicate with me, you are aware of what is happening and the work is guided by the goals we have agreed together.

Do I need to know what is causing my problem before starting RTT?

Not at all. Many of my clients know exactly what they want to change but have no idea why the pattern developed, and part of our work involves exploring the experiences, beliefs, emotional responses and triggers that may be contributing to the difficulty. You do not need to arrive with all the answers.

Ready to understand what's driving your own patterns?

If you're struggling with anxiety, stress, overthinking or an unwanted coping habit, you may already have spent considerable time trying to change things on your own, perhaps reading the books, making the promises, trying different strategies and genuinely understanding what you need to do, but somehow finding yourself back in the same position. And if that sounds familiar, it may be worth exploring what's happening beneath the surface.

I’m Nikki Brooke, a Rapid Transformational Therapist specialising in high-functioning anxiety, addictive habits and the emotional patterns that often sit behind them. I work with professionals, business owners and individuals who appear to be coping on the outside but privately feel overwhelmed, anxious or increasingly reliant on habits to switch off, helping them understand the patterns that may be contributing to their difficulties and develop healthier ways of responding. See what my previous clients have experienced working with me

My approach combines subconscious belief work with practical support, because understanding why something happens is valuable, but being able to respond differently in everyday life is what really matters. Sessions are confidential and available in Cardiff and online across the UK. Find out more here

Arrange a confidential consultation

Scientific References and Further Reading

1. Curran, A. The Little Book of Big Stuff About the Brain. Crown House Publishing.

2. Lane, R. D., et al. (2015). Memory Reconsolidation, Emotional Arousal, and the Process of Change in Psychotherapy. Behavioral and Brain Sciences. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24827452/

3. Jiang, H., et al. (2016). Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity Associated with Hypnosis. Cerebral Cortex. https://stanfordhealthcare.org/publications/437/437380.html

4. Valentine, K. E., et al. (2019). The Efficacy of Hypnosis as a Treatment for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31251710/

5. Beckers, T., & Kindt, M. (2017). Memory Reconsolidation Interference as an Emerging Treatment for Emotional Disorders. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28375725/

This article is intended to provide general educational information about neuroscience and therapeutic approaches. RTT is not a substitute for appropriate medical care or specialist mental health or addiction treatment, and individual outcomes vary.

Quitting Cocaine? How Food and Supplements Can Support you

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 14:47:24 GMT

Quitting Cocaine? How Nutrition and Supplements Can Support Your Brain and Body in Recovery

Why feeling tired, flat, hungry or unmotivated after stopping cocaine doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong

If you have recently stopped using cocaine, or you are seriously thinking about stopping, you may have expected that removing cocaine from your life would immediately make you feel better. And physically, emotionally and logically, that seems as though it should make sense.

You stop putting something harmful into your body, you start sleeping properly again, you make the decision that enough is enough, and surely within a few days you should begin feeling healthier, clearer and more like yourself.

Except that isn't always what happens.

For some people, the first few days and weeks without cocaine can feel surprisingly difficult. You may feel exhausted despite sleeping for hours, hungry in a way you haven't experienced for a long time, emotionally flat, irritable, anxious or strangely unmotivated. Your concentration may be poor, ordinary things can feel less enjoyable than they used to, and there can be moments when your brain seems to whisper that cocaine would instantly make all of this disappear.

That can be frightening, particularly if you have spent years being somebody who is normally driven, productive and capable of pushing through almost anything.

But there is something incredibly important to understand.

Your body isn't failing at recovery. It is adjusting to life without a powerful stimulant!

Cocaine affects far more than simply how you feel for the few hours after taking it. It affects your reward system, appetite, sleep, cardiovascular system, stress response and the way your brain processes chemicals involved in motivation and reward, which means that when cocaine disappears, your body and brain need time to find their equilibrium again.

Nutrition cannot do that work for you. Neither can a bottle of supplements.

But giving your body the raw materials it needs whilst that process is happening may be one useful part of helping yourself recover.

What Cocaine Has Actually Been Asking Your Body to Do

One of the reasons I think people underestimate recovery is that they tend to think about cocaine primarily in terms of the brain.

We talk about dopamine, cravings, addiction and the psychological reasons somebody uses cocaine, all of which are incredibly important, but cocaine has also been asking the rest of your body to work under very unusual conditions.

Cocaine stimulates the nervous and cardiovascular systems, affecting heart rate and blood pressure, whilst also suppressing appetite and disrupting normal sleep. Longer-term stimulant use can be associated with cardiovascular, psychiatric, dental and nutritional complications.

So imagine running a high-performance car extremely hard, regularly ignoring the fuel warning light, allowing it to overheat and then expecting it to perform perfectly the moment you decide to drive more carefully.

Your body is considerably more sophisticated than a car, of course, but the principle is useful.

Stopping the thing that has been putting it under pressure is enormously important.

The next stage is giving it what it needs to function normally again.

Why You Can Feel So Flat After Cocaine

This is perhaps one of the most difficult parts of stopping cocaine to understand.

Cocaine has a powerful effect on dopamine signalling within the brain's reward system. Dopamine isn't simply a "happiness chemical", as it is sometimes described; it is deeply involved in motivation, learning, anticipation and our drive to repeat behaviours that the brain has decided are important.

When you repeatedly give the brain an extremely powerful artificial reward, ordinary rewards can begin to feel rather insignificant by comparison.

A good meal.
Finishing a piece of work.
Going for a walk.
Having a conversation.
Getting something ticked off your list.

All the normal things that should create some degree of satisfaction can temporarily feel incredibly underwhelming when compared with the enormous stimulation the brain has become accustomed to.

That is why one of the biggest mistakes somebody can make during early recovery is interpreting this flatness as their new normal.

Cocaine withdrawal is recognised as involving periods of exhaustion, low mood, irritability, anxiety, increased appetite and sleep, followed in some people by a longer period involving cravings, lethargy and difficulty concentrating. Your brain needs time.

And rather than constantly asking, "Why don't I feel amazing yet?" , it may be more helpful to start asking:

"What can I do today that gives my brain and body the best possible environment in which to recover?"

Food is one surprisingly powerful place to begin.

Eat to Recover, Not to Be Perfect

I don't want this to become another article telling you that you suddenly need to live on green juice, supplements and organic vegetables because you have decided to stop using cocaine.

Recovery is difficult enough without turning food into another thing you believe you are failing at.

What matters initially is rebuilding some consistency.

Research examining nutrition amongst people who use drugs suggests that substance use can affect nutritional status through reduced food intake, altered appetite regulation and other metabolic changes, and nutritional inadequacies can remain even during recovery.

Cocaine specifically can suppress appetite, meaning meals are easily skipped whilst using, followed by increased hunger or eating highly palatable foods afterwards. NHS-linked drug services therefore recommend healthy eating and regular meals as part of supporting the body during withdrawal.

So rather than worrying about creating a "perfect recovery diet", start with something much simpler.

Give your body regular, nutritious food again.

Protein: Giving Your Brain the Building Blocks It Needs

Protein is particularly useful because dietary proteins provide amino acids that the body uses for countless processes, including the production of neurotransmitters.

Good options include:

eggs
chicken and turkey
fish
Greek yoghurt
cottage cheese
beans and lentils
tofu
nuts and seeds

Foods containing the amino acid tyrosine are sometimes discussed in relation to dopamine because tyrosine is used by the body in the pathway that produces dopamine and noradrenaline.

That doesn't mean eating eggs or taking tyrosine will suddenly "restore your dopamine".

The brain is much more complicated than that.

But it does mean that eating sufficient protein gives your body the nutritional building blocks it needs to carry out normal neurological processes, which is exactly what you want whilst your system is readjusting.

Omega-3 Fats: Supporting the Brain Rather Than Chasing Dopamine

Another nutrient worth paying attention to is omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fats form important components of cell membranes, including those within the brain, and are involved in normal brain and cardiovascular function.

Good food sources include oily fish such as:

salmon
sardines
mackerel
trout

Plant sources include walnuts, chia seeds and flaxseed, although these provide a different form of omega-3 that the body must convert. Research into nutrition during substance-use recovery has identified omega-3 fatty acids as an interesting area of investigation, particularly in relation to mental health and relapse, although researchers are clear that considerably more high-quality evidence is needed before we can claim that omega-3 supplementation treats addiction.

Colourful Fruit and Vegetables: Helping the Body Deal With Oxidative Stress

Cocaine use has also been associated with oxidative stress, one of the mechanisms researchers have investigated in relation to cocaine's cardiovascular and liver toxicity. You don't need to understand the complicated biochemistry behind oxidative stress to do something useful about your general nutrition - Think colour!

Berries.
Blueberries.
Oranges.
Kiwi.
Peppers.
Tomatoes.
Spinach.
Broccoli.
Leafy greens.
Sweet potatoes.

These foods provide combinations of vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and other plant compounds that support normal cellular health. .

Complex Carbohydrates: Don't Be Frightened of Them

Foods such as oats, brown rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, wholegrain bread, beans, lentils and wholegrain pasta can provide carbohydrate alongside fibre and nutrients, and combining them with protein and healthy fats can make meals more satisfying. Remember that increased appetite is a recognised part of cocaine withdrawal.

What About Supplements?

I personally have taken supplements for years and know they can be very helpful, but supplements should be considered exactly that - supplementary!

They are not a replacement for therapy, medical advice, sleep, nutrition, exercise or addressing whatever was driving the cocaine use in the first place.

Here are some which may help

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

Of all the supplements discussed in relation to substance use, NAC is one of the more interesting.

NAC is involved in the body's production of glutathione, an important antioxidant, but researchers have also investigated its influence on glutamate signalling within the brain. Glutamate is involved in learning, habit formation and the neural processes associated with craving. Some studies show it may reduce cravings.

Citicoline

Citicoline is another supplement that frequently appears in discussions about brain recovery and cocaine use.

It is involved in phospholipid metabolism and provides choline used in neurological processes, which has led researchers to investigate whether it could potentially support cognitive function and influence substance-use behaviours .

There have been clinical studies involving people with cocaine dependence, and citicoline has generally attracted interest because of its neurological actions and apparent tolerability.

L-Theanine

L-theanine is an amino acid naturally present in green tea and is often used in supplements intended to promote relaxation without heavy sedation. You may find it discussed online in relation to withdrawal, anxiety and brain-wave activity, but much of the addiction-specific research cited for L-theanine has been carried out in animals rather than people recovering from cocaine addiction.

Magnesium

Magnesium plays a role in hundreds of processes within the body, including normal nervous-system function, muscle function and energy metabolism.

Rather than automatically taking large doses, however, I would generally start with food.

Magnesium-rich foods include:

pumpkin seeds
almonds and cashews
spinach
beans
whole grains
avocado
dark chocolate

B Vitamins

The B vitamins are involved in energy metabolism and normal nervous-system function , which makes them understandably attractive when somebody is feeling exhausted during recovery.

Good dietary sources include eggs, fish, meat, dairy products, leafy vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

If cocaine has meant skipping meals, surviving on convenience food, drinking heavily alongside using or spending several days eating very little, correcting the basics may be far more useful than searching for the perfect supplement.

A Simple Recovery Plate

If you don't want to think about nutrition constantly, make it ridiculously simple.

For most main meals, aim for something containing:

Protein + vegetables or fruit + a sensible carbohydrate + healthy fat.

That could be:

Eggs on wholegrain toast with avocado and tomatoes.
Greek yoghurt with berries, oats, walnuts and seeds.
Chicken with roasted vegetables, potatoes and olive oil.
Salmon with rice, broccoli and spinach.
A lentil or bean chilli with brown rice and avocado.
A chicken or tuna wholegrain wrap with salad.

Your First Few Weeks Without Cocaine

If I were simplifying nutritional recovery as much as possible, I would concentrate on a few things.

Eat regularly, even if your appetite initially feels unusual.
Include protein with your meals.
Eat oily fish a couple of times each week if you enjoy it.
Get plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Drink enough water.

Don't panic if your appetite increases and avoid the temptation to replace cocaine with enormous quantities of caffeine, energy drinks, alcohol or another substance.

And perhaps most importantly, allow yourself to be tired.Your body may genuinely need rest.

Cocaine withdrawal can involve a period of considerable exhaustion and increased sleep, followed by weeks in which concentration, motivation and energy gradually improve.

Be Careful About Replacing One Form of Stimulation With Another

When somebody stops cocaine, there can be an enormous urge to find something else that makes them feel different.

Coffee.
Energy drinks.
Sugar.
Pre-workout supplements.
Alcohol.
Extreme exercise or focus on work

The danger is that although the substance changes, the underlying relationship with discomfort hasn't.

You are still teaching your brain:

"I don't like how I feel, so I need something outside of myself to change it immediately."

And that is precisely the pattern we ultimately want to change.

In fact, NHS guidance specifically warns against using alcohol, sleeping tablets, benzodiazepines, opioids or other drugs to manage cocaine withdrawal because doing so can create additional dependence and harm.

Recovery isn't simply learning how to live without cocaine.

It is gradually learning that you don't have to chemically alter every uncomfortable emotional state.

The Supplement Cannot Fix the Reason You Needed Cocaine

This is the part I feel most strongly about.

You can improve your diet.
You can take omega-3.
You can discuss NAC, magnesium or other supplements with your doctor.
You can exercise.
You can prioritise sleep.

And all of those things may form part of looking after yourself.

But if cocaine became the way you switched off after an incredibly stressful week, escaped relentless pressure, quietened an anxious mind, felt confident socially, disconnected from difficult emotions or finally stopped thinking for a few hours, none of those supplements addresses the reason cocaine became so valuable to your brain in the first place.

This is why I so often encourage people to stop asking only:

"How do I stop taking cocaine?"

and start becoming curious about a different question:

"What was cocaine doing for me that I hadn't learned how to do for myself?"

Because that question changes everything.

Perhaps it was your reward
Perhaps it was when something bad happened
Perhaps it allowed you to switch off, to escape
Perhaps it quietened your thoughts.
Perhaps it gave you energy when you were tired
Perhaps its just being in that 'Party atmosphere.'
Perhaps it has become such a part of your life, you no longer know what triggers your need

Whatever the answer is, that is the part worth understanding.

Because if you remove cocaine but leave exactly the same pressure, anxiety, emotional patterns, triggers and subconscious associations underneath it, eventually your brain is likely to go looking for relief again - And that relief may be cocaine again - Or alcohol- Or gambling - Or food - Or work - Or something else entirely.

he aim isn't simply to remove the behaviour.

The aim is to reach the point where you no longer need the behaviour to perform the job it was doing for you.

Your Body Can Recover – Give It the Conditions to Do So

One of the things I would love more people to understand when they stop using cocaine is that recovery isn't a single decision. Its what happens afterwards matters too.

Your brain needs time to adapt.
Your sleep needs time to settle.
Your appetite may change.
Your energy may fluctuate.
Your motivation may feel completely different for a while.

And rather than interpreting every difficult day as evidence that life was somehow better with cocaine, begin viewing those changes as part of your system finding its way back towards normality.

Feed yourself properly.
Sleep.
Move your body.
Drink water.
Spend time outside.
Reconnect with people.
Allow ordinary pleasure to become rewarding again.

And if supplements are something you want to explore, use them intelligently and ideally with advice from your GP, pharmacist, dietitian or another appropriately qualified professional—particularly if you take medication or have cardiovascular, liver, kidney or mental-health concerns.

Most importantly, work on the reason cocaine became part of your life in the first place.

Because the ultimate goal isn't to spend the rest of your life fighting an urge.

It is to understand and change the pattern that created the urge.

And that is where Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) is very successful.

If you want to find out more about how RTT can help, contact me for a FREE Consultation.

This article was written after I found some information on nootropics from MindLabPro. I do not endorse this company in any way, but found the information useful. If you would like to find out more here is a link to the article on Nootropics for Drug Addiction: Beat Cravings and Relapse with Brain Supplements

A Note About Safety

This article is intended for general information and isn't medical advice. Supplements can interact with medicines and aren't automatically safe simply because they are described as "natural". If you have been using cocaine heavily or regularly, have other substance dependencies, take prescribed medication, or have concerns about your physical or mental health, speak to your GP or an appropriate drug and alcohol service before beginning supplements or making significant changes.

Cocaine withdrawal itself is usually not considered medically dangerous in the same way as withdrawal from substances such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, but depression can become significant and should not be ignored. UK clinical guidance recommends monitoring mood and suicide risk during stimulant withdrawal.

The NHS provides treatment for cocaine addiction, including psychological therapies and specialist drug services, and you can approach a GP or local drug treatment service directly.

References

Adinoff B. Neurobiologic Processes in Drug Reward and Addiction. Harvard Review of Psychiatry. 2004; 12(6): 305-20.
Wignall ND, et al. Citicoline in addictive disorders: a review of the literature. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. 2014 Jul; 40(4): 262-8.
Wise LE, et al. L-theanine attenuates abstinence signs in morphine-dependent rhesus monkeys and elicits anxiolytic-like activity in mice. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 2012 Dec; 103(2): 245-252.

When Someone You Love Has a Cocaine Habit That Has Become Out of Control

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 11:16:35 GMT

When Someone You Love Has a Cocaine Habit That Has Become Out of Control

Supporting someone you love whilst protecting yourself.

If someone you love has developed a cocaine habit that feels as though it is becoming increasingly out of control, it can leave you feeling confused, exhausted and desperately searching for answers. In this article, I want to help you understand why somebody can genuinely love their family and still struggle to stop using cocaine, why shame and confrontation so often make the situation worse, how cocaine changes behaviour and relationships, and most importantly, how you can support somebody you care about without losing yourself in the process.

When the Person You Love No Longer Feels Like Themselves

“I know he’s still in there somewhere… I just don’t know how to reach him anymore.”

Although I don’t often work directly with partners or family members, they are present in almost every therapy session I deliver. As clients begin to understand the subconscious patterns driving their cocaine use, they often speak with enormous sadness about the people they have hurt along the way. They tell me about the trust they have broken, the arguments they never wanted to have, the promises they genuinely intended to keep but somehow couldn’t, and the overwhelming guilt they carry because they know they are becoming somebody they never imagined they would be.

Listening to those conversations has given me a deep appreciation of the pain that families quietly carry behind closed doors, often wondering how somebody they love can seem so different whilst still hoping that, underneath everything that has happened, the person they know is still there.

If you are reading this because your husband, partner, boyfriend, son or somebody else close to you has developed a cocaine habit that now feels as though it is affecting every part of your relationship, I first want to acknowledge how incredibly difficult that situation can be. Whilst much of the attention understandably focuses on the person using cocaine, very little is said about what it is like to live alongside somebody whose behaviour has gradually changed, whose emotions seem unpredictable and whose promises have become increasingly difficult to believe.

Living with someone who uses cocaine rarely begins with a dramatic moment that changes everything overnight. More often, it is something that quietly finds its way into everyday life until, almost without realising it, the relationship begins revolving around it. At first there may be the occasional late night, unexplained withdrawals from the bank, weekends that don’t quite make sense or a growing feeling that something isn’t right, even though you cannot explain exactly why you feel so uneasy.

Gradually you find yourself becoming more observant than you have ever been before. You begin listening carefully to the way they speak when they walk through the door, noticing small changes in their mood, wondering whether they seem unusually energetic or emotionally distant, and quietly asking yourself questions that you never imagined would become part of your daily life.

Before long, your own emotional wellbeing can become tied to somebody else’s choices. A good day for them becomes a good day for you. A bad weekend quickly affects the whole family. Conversations become cautious because you are trying to avoid another argument, trust slowly gives way to suspicion because there have been too many occasions where the truth hasn’t quite matched the story, and instead of looking forward to spending time together, you find yourself wondering which version of the person you love is coming home.

One of the cruellest things about cocaine is that it doesn’t simply affect the individual using it. It quietly changes the atmosphere within the relationship until both people begin living in response to it. One person is using cocaine to escape something they are struggling to cope with internally, whilst the other slowly becomes trapped in a cycle of worrying, watching, analysing, rescuing and trying to prevent something that ultimately sits outside of their control.

Without either person intending it, cocaine gradually becomes the third person in the relationship, influencing conversations, trust, intimacy, finances, family life and the emotional wellbeing of everybody involved.

Why It Can Feel Like They Are Choosing Cocaine Over You

Perhaps the thought that causes partners the greatest pain is one they rarely say out loud.

“If he really loved me, surely he would stop.”

It is such an understandable conclusion to reach because, from the outside, it can genuinely appear as though cocaine has become more important than everything else. When somebody repeatedly risks their relationship, their family, their career, their health and everything they have spent years building, it is only natural to wonder why they continue making the same choice over and over again. Many partners begin quietly questioning themselves, wondering whether they somehow are not enough, whether there is something they should be doing differently or whether the relationship simply no longer means what it once did.

In my experience, however, this is rarely what is happening.

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding cocaine addiction is that it is simply a matter of choosing the drug over the people you love. If that were true, recovery would be relatively straightforward because all somebody would need to do is remind themselves how much they love their family, make a decision to stop and then simply follow through with it. Unfortunately, anybody who has experienced cocaine addiction, either personally or through someone they love, knows that it is nowhere near that simple.

The most important thing I would like families to understand is this:

Cocaine is rarely the real problem. More often, it has become the brain’s solution to emotional pain, relentless pressure, anxiety or stress that has never been properly addressed.

This is something I see repeatedly in my work.

Many of the people who come to see me are not weak, irresponsible or uncaring. In fact, they are often highly successful business owners, professionals, parents and people carrying enormous responsibility. From the outside they appear to have everything under control, yet internally they have been living with years of pressure, anxiety, emotional exhaustion or unresolved experiences that they have never truly dealt with. Somewhere along the way, cocaine became the thing that allowed them to switch off, even if only for a few hours.

What families often see is the cocaine.

What they don’t always see is the relentless pressure, anxiety, responsibility and emotional exhaustion that often existed long before cocaine became part of the picture. Cocaine didn’t create the pressure. It simply became the way the brain learned to escape it for a little while.

That doesn’t make it acceptable.

It doesn’t excuse the behaviour.

But it does help explain why somebody can genuinely love their family whilst still feeling unable to stop repeating something that is slowly destroying the life they care so deeply about.

The Truth About Cocaine and the Brain

One of the things I often find myself explaining to clients is that whilst cocaine begins as a conscious decision, it rarely stays that way. In the early stages there may well have been a choice involved, perhaps at a party, during a stressful period at work or as part of a social environment where it gradually became normalised. However, once the brain begins associating cocaine with relief from emotional discomfort, pressure or anxiety, something much more powerful starts to happen beneath conscious awareness.

Our subconscious mind has one primary purpose, and that is to keep us safe by moving us away from pain and towards anything that appears to bring relief. It doesn’t stop to consider whether a coping strategy is healthy, whether it may damage a relationship or whether it will cause problems in six months’ time. It simply notices patterns that appear to work.

If somebody repeatedly feels overwhelmed, anxious or emotionally exhausted and cocaine consistently provides temporary relief, the subconscious begins storing that behaviour as an effective survival strategy.

At the same time, cocaine has a significant effect on the brain’s reward system. It causes a powerful surge of dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, motivation and learning. Whilst many people think dopamine is simply the brain’s “feel good” chemical, it also plays an important role in reinforcing behaviours that the brain wants us to repeat. In simple terms, the brain begins saying, “Whatever happened just now helped us feel better. Let’s remember that for next time.”

With repeated use, those neural pathways become stronger and stronger until the brain starts anticipating cocaine before the conscious mind has even become fully aware of the urge. This is one of the reasons so many people tell me they feel as though they are watching themselves make the same decision over and over again, despite desperately wanting to stop. They are not describing a lack of intelligence or a lack of love for their family. They are describing what it feels like when an automatic subconscious pattern has become more powerful than conscious intention.

The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for judgement, planning and impulse control, is also affected by repeated cocaine use. This is why somebody can genuinely wake up on a Sunday morning, horrified by what happened the night before, sincerely promising themselves that it will never happen again, only to find themselves repeating the same behaviour the following weekend. From the outside it can look like dishonesty or a lack of commitment. From the inside it often feels confusing, frustrating and deeply distressing because they cannot understand why they keep doing something they know is damaging every area of their life.

This is why I so often say that the cocaine itself is not usually the real problem. The cocaine is simply the strategy the brain has learned to use. The real question is not, “How do I stop using cocaine?” but rather, “What is my mind trying to escape from, and why has it come to believe that cocaine is the answer?” When we begin asking that question, we move away from simply fighting the behaviour and start addressing the subconscious pattern that has been driving it all along.

Why Shame Rarely Helps Someone Change

When somebody we love is hurting us, it is only natural to want them to understand the consequences of their behaviour. You want them to see your pain. You want them to understand how frightened you feel, how much trust has been lost and how worried you are about the future. Sometimes those conversations come from sadness, sometimes from frustration and sometimes from anger because fear has a way of disguising itself as anger when we don’t know what else to do.

Many well-meaning friends and family members may even encourage what is often described as “tough love”, believing that if the person finally feels guilty enough, ashamed enough or frightened enough, they will decide to stop. Whilst healthy boundaries are incredibly important, I have rarely seen shame become the catalyst for lasting recovery.

In fact, the opposite is often true.

One of the things clients frequently describe to me is the enormous burden of guilt they already carry. They know they are hurting the people they love. They know they are risking everything they have worked so hard to build. Many tell me they hate the person they have become and cannot understand why they continue repeating the same behaviour. They aren’t proud of what they are doing. More often, they are trapped in an exhausting cycle of using cocaine, feeling temporary relief, experiencing overwhelming shame afterwards and then, when life becomes difficult again, returning to the very thing that briefly numbed those painful feelings in the first place.

This is one of the reasons shame can become so toxic. Rather than motivating somebody to change, it often reinforces the emotional pain they are already trying to escape. The more ashamed they feel, the stronger the urge becomes to find relief, and if cocaine has become the brain’s familiar coping strategy, the cycle simply continues.

Understanding this does not mean removing responsibility. Every individual remains responsible for their own choices and for the impact those choices have on the people around them. However, it does remind us that constantly attacking someone’s character is unlikely to create the emotional safety needed for honest conversations or meaningful change.

Compassion Doesn’t Mean Accepting Hurtful Behaviour

Sometimes, when people begin understanding addiction in this way, they worry that they are somehow expected to excuse the lies, the broken trust or the emotional pain that has been caused.

That is not what I am saying at all.

Understanding why somebody behaves the way they do is very different from accepting behaviour that continues to harm you.

In fact, one of the healthiest things any partner or family member can do is recognise the difference between compassion and responsibility. You can understand that somebody is struggling whilst also recognising that you are not responsible for fixing them. You can care deeply about what they are going through whilst still deciding that dishonesty, manipulation or repeated broken promises are no longer something you are willing to accept.

Healthy boundaries are not about trying to force somebody to change. They are about protecting your own emotional wellbeing.

There is a world of difference between saying, “If you loved me, you would stop,” and saying, “I love you, I can see that you are struggling, but I also need you to understand how your behaviour is affecting me, and these are the boundaries I need in order to protect myself and our family.”

One statement attempts to create change through guilt.

The other communicates honestly whilst taking responsibility for your own wellbeing.

That distinction is incredibly important because one of the greatest mistakes families make is believing they can control another person’s recovery. However much you love somebody, however much you worry or however many conversations you have, you cannot make another human being choose to change before they are ready.

What you can do is communicate honestly, express how their behaviour affects you, decide what you will and will not accept, and make choices that protect your own mental and emotional health. Ironically, these conversations are often far more powerful than repeated criticism because they remove the drama and replace it with clarity, honesty and self-respect.

As difficult as it may feel, it is also worth remembering that somebody else’s cocaine habit does not define your worth, your value or your future. Their behaviour belongs to them. Your response belongs to you. Understanding where that line sits is often the beginning of reclaiming some of the peace that addiction has slowly taken away.

Looking After Yourself Isn’t Selfish – It Is Essential

One of the things I think is least talked about when someone develops a cocaine habit is what happens to the people who love them. Over time, without even realising it, many partners, wives and mothers begin adapting their own lives around somebody else’s behaviour. They become experts at reading the room, sensing changes in mood before a word has been spoken, watching for the smallest clues that something isn’t quite right and trying to anticipate problems before they happen. What began as concern gradually becomes hypervigilance, and what started as wanting to help slowly turns into carrying a weight that was never really theirs to carry.

I often wonder whether families realise just how much emotional energy they are spending trying to prevent something they ultimately cannot control. Many people tell themselves they are simply being supportive, but when we look a little more closely, they have stopped sleeping properly, they rarely relax, they have lost touch with friends, they no longer enjoy weekends because they are constantly waiting for something to go wrong, and their own happiness has quietly become dependent on whether somebody else has chosen to use cocaine that day or not.

It is an exhausting way to live.

The irony is that whilst the person using cocaine is often trying to escape pressure, the people around them slowly begin living under enormous pressure themselves. Different pressure perhaps, but pressure all the same. Anxiety becomes their constant companion, they begin second-guessing every conversation, wondering whether they are helping or making things worse, and carrying a responsibility that no one person should ever have to carry alone.

This is why I gently encourage families to pause for a moment and ask themselves a different question. Instead of asking, “How do I get them to stop?” perhaps begin asking, “What do I need in order to remain emotionally healthy whilst this is happening?”

That isn’t selfish.

It isn’t giving up.

It isn’t abandoning the person you love.

It is recognising that your own wellbeing matters too.

Be Careful Not to Lose Yourself Trying to Save Someone Else

One of the most difficult things about loving somebody with a cocaine habit is that it is very easy to become consumed by it. Your conversations become about cocaine. Your thoughts become about cocaine. Your plans revolve around whether cocaine is likely to appear. Even when the subject isn’t being discussed, it is often sitting quietly in the background, influencing decisions, affecting intimacy and shaping the atmosphere within the home.

Over time, families often find themselves becoming trapped in their own subconscious patterns.

Some become rescuers, constantly trying to solve problems before the person has experienced the consequences of their own behaviour.Some become investigators, checking phones, searching bank accounts, analysing every sentence and trying to gather enough evidence to feel safe. Some become people pleasers, walking on eggshells in the hope that keeping everything calm will somehow prevent another relapse. Others become increasingly resentful, emotionally distant or critical because they are carrying years of hurt that has never really been spoken about.

None of these responses make you a bad partner, parent or family member.

They are simply the nervous system’s attempt to create certainty in a situation that feels deeply uncertain.

Relationships are living systems, and when one person changes, everybody else instinctively adapts around them. Sometimes those adaptations are helpful. Sometimes they become coping strategies in their own right, and if they continue for long enough, they can become just as automatic as the cocaine habit itself.

That is why I often encourage partners to become curious about their own patterns as well as those of the person they love. Not because you are responsible for somebody else’s cocaine use—you are not—but because understanding your own emotional responses allows you to step out of patterns that may no longer be serving either of you.

Communicate Honestly, Not Emotionally

You may be thinking , “What should I say to them?”

There is no perfect conversation that suddenly makes somebody stop using cocaine, but there is a significant difference between communicating from fear and communicating from clarity.

When we are frightened, we often become critical.

When we feel powerless, we often try to control.

When we feel hurt, we sometimes attack the other person’s character because we desperately want them to understand the depth of our pain.

Whilst those reactions are completely human, they rarely create the kind of conversation that leads to openness and honesty. Instead of telling somebody what they are, try telling them what their behaviour is doing to you.

“When you disappear for hours without answering your phone, I feel frightened.”

“When I discover another lie, it becomes harder for me to trust you.”

“I want to support you, but I also need to protect myself.”

These conversations are not about manipulating somebody into changing. They are about communicating honestly, expressing your own feelings and allowing the other person to understand the real impact their behaviour is having on the people they love.

At the same time, remember that communication is only one part of recovery. You can have the most thoughtful conversation in the world, but if somebody is not yet ready to look honestly at themselves, your words are unlikely to create lasting change on their own.

You Cannot Control Another Person’s Recovery

This is probably the hardest truth for any family to accept.

If somebody genuinely does not want to change, there is very little another person can do to make lasting recovery happen.

You cannot love somebody into recovery.

You cannot monitor somebody into recovery.

You cannot argue somebody into recovery.

You cannot shame somebody into recovery.

You cannot carry enough hope for two people.

Real and lasting change happens when the individual themselves becomes ready to understand why they keep returning to the same behaviour despite desperately wanting a different life. That moment often doesn’t arrive because somebody else has finally found the perfect words. More often, it arrives because something shifts inside the individual. They become curious rather than defensive. They stop asking, “How do I stop using cocaine?” and begin asking, “Why does part of me keep needing cocaine in the first place?”

That question changes everything because it moves the focus away from fighting the behaviour and towards understanding the subconscious pattern that has been driving it.

Recovery is not about becoming stronger than cocaine.

Recovery is about no longer needing cocaine as the brain’s way of coping.

There Is Hope

If you have read this article because somebody you love is struggling with a cocaine habit, I hope you leave with one important message.

The behaviour you are seeing is not evidence that you are unlovable, that your family wasn’t enough or that your relationship has no value. More often, it is evidence that somebody has become trapped in a subconscious coping strategy that has gradually grown beyond their conscious control.

That doesn’t remove responsibility.

It doesn’t excuse dishonesty.

It doesn’t mean you should tolerate behaviour that continues to hurt you.

What it does mean is that there is often far more going on beneath the surface than either of you can see.

The encouraging news is that when we begin addressing those deeper subconscious patterns, rather than relying on willpower alone, lasting change becomes much more possible. That is why my work focuses on helping people understand why their mind learned to depend on cocaine in the first place, because once that need begins to dissolve, the battle against the behaviour becomes very different.

Whether your loved one is ready for help today, in six months’ time or sometime further down the line, please remember that your own wellbeing matters just as much as theirs. Support them where you can. Communicate honestly. Set healthy boundaries. Continue living your own life. Most importantly, don’t lose yourself trying to rescue somebody who has to make the decision to change for themselves.

Sometimes the greatest act of love is not trying harder to fix somebody else, but having the courage to care for yourself whilst leaving the door open for them to seek help when they are truly ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t my partner stop using cocaine if they know it is hurting the family?

Many people assume that somebody continues using cocaine because they don’t care enough about the people around them. In reality, the brain often learns to associate cocaine with relief from emotional pain, pressure or anxiety, creating powerful subconscious patterns that can override conscious intentions. This is why many people genuinely want to stop but find themselves repeating the same behaviour despite the consequences.

Why does somebody with a cocaine habit lie so much?

Lying is often driven by shame, fear of conflict and fear of disappointing the people they love rather than a complete lack of care. Whilst dishonesty should never be accepted, understanding where it comes from can help families respond with clearer boundaries rather than becoming trapped in repeated arguments.

Should I give someone an ultimatum?

Every relationship is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Healthy boundaries are generally more effective than emotional ultimatums because they focus on what you need to protect your own wellbeing rather than trying to force somebody else to change.

Can someone stop using cocaine without rehab?

For many people, yes. The most important factor is not necessarily where recovery happens but whether the underlying emotional and subconscious drivers behind the cocaine use are properly addressed. Simply removing the substance without understanding why the brain needed it often leaves the original pattern untouched.

Can therapy help someone who doesn’t want help?

Therapy is most effective when somebody is willing to engage in the process. Whilst loved ones can encourage, support and communicate honestly, lasting recovery almost always begins when the individual becomes ready to understand themselves and make meaningful changes from within.

Do I Need Therapy or Coaching

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:58:13 GMT

What is the difference between therapy and coaching?

By Nikki Brooke, Rapid Transformational Therapist, in collaboration with Catherine Carden, Coach and Consultant.

You feel stuck, coming up against the same issues. You have read the books, completed the courses and feel you should have the answers – but another year has passed and reaching those goals are far from insight!

So many people invest in pensions, houses, their children'education however until they hit a crisis, rarely invest in themselves!

Legendary investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett famously said, "The best investment you can make is in yourself" and we will always be counting on ourselves, this is a wise statement!

So why do we resist?

Often we know what we should be doing - Yet somehow, our behaviours are just set on automatic pilot.

Perhaps it's drinking more than you intend to, or in a loop with other coping habits. Perhaps you never get beyond firefighting issues at work and it becomes all consuming, or maybe it's being caught in patterns of overthinking, people-pleasing, procrastination, perfectionism.

Whatever the habit looks like on the surface, the experience is often the same:

"Why do I keep doing this when I know better?"

There comes a point where those who recognise the stalemate situation, start looking for a coach, mentor or accountability partner and that makes complete sense.

After all, if you're not getting the results you want, surely you need more motivation, more discipline, better habits or a clearer strategy?

Maybe.

But what if the problem isn't a lack of discipline at all?

When Knowing Isn't the Problem

One of the biggest misconceptions we see is the belief that people stay stuck because they don't know what to do.

In reality, most high-performing professionals know exactly what they should be doing.

They know they should exercise more, sleep more, delegate more, set better boundaries, or stop reaching for the thing that gives temporary relief but creates bigger problems later!

The issue is rarely a lack of knowledge. The issue is that part of them is running an automatic programme. A programme that was created long before they were consciously aware of it.

The Invisible Handbrake

Imagine driving a car with the handbrake partially on.

You can still move forward. You can still make progress. You can still achieve success.

But everything feels harder than it should.

You need more effort.
More force.

More determination.

Eventually you start believing that success only comes through pressure. That exhaustion is normal. That pushing yourself is the answer.

Many of the people we work with have spent years trying to force themselves forward without realising they are fighting against subconscious patterns that are quietly pulling them backwards.

Patterns such as:

Fear of failure
Fear of judgement
Fear of rejection
The need to prove yourself
Perfectionism
People pleasing
Feeling responsible for everyone else
Believing your worth comes from achievement

These patterns often begin as protective mechanisms and at one point, they served a purpose. The problem is that the subconscious mind doesn't automatically update them as your life changes. So, the pattern continues running in the background long after it has stopped being useful.

Therapy Can Help

When someone is stuck in an automatic pattern, simply knowing what to do is often not enough.

This is where Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) works differently.

Rather than focusing solely on behaviour, RTT helps uncover the subconscious beliefs, emotional drivers and protective mechanisms that are creating the behaviour.

Because when the underlying programme changes, the behaviour often becomes much easier to change too.

Clients frequently tell me:

"I feel different, I just don't have those negative thoughts anymore"

That's an important distinction. Real change becomes much easier when you're no longer using willpower to battle against your own subconscious mind.

But Therapy Isn't the Whole Story

Let's imagine you've cleared the old patterns. The anxiety has reduced. The pressure has lifted. The unhealthy coping mechanism is no longer controlling your choices.

Now what?

This is where a different question emerges:

"What do I actually want my life to look like?"

Because removing what is holding you back creates space.

And that space needs filling and this is where coaching can be really helps

Where Coaching Comes into Its Own

I met up with Catherine Carden from Beyond the Box Coaching and Consulting and she told me that ‘Once the internal resistance has been reduced, you create what comes next. '

It’s like the path has been cleared and you can strategically move forward without the blocks, which usually show up as excuses, procrastination or justifications as to why you don’t move forward.’

It might involve:

Establishing or realising your purpose and aspiration
Growing a business
Improving communication
Creating healthier boundaries
Developing stronger leadership skills
Building or overcoming imposter syndrome
Creating a better work-life balance and avoiding burnout
Navigating a career transition or promotion
Setting goals that genuinely align with your values and establishing the system that supports goal achievement
Enhancing wellbeing habits that lead to improved productivity, energy and engagement

Coaching helps transform insight into action. It is a forward looking process…

Therapy and Coaching: Different Roles, Shared Goal

Therapy helps remove the obstacles. Coaching helps you travel further once they're gone.

Therapy asks: "What's been driving this?"

Coaching asks: "What would you like to create next?"

Therapy helps you understand why the handbrake is on. Coaching helps you decide where you're going once it's released. Neither is better.

They simply serve different purposes.

Do You Need Therapy or Coaching?

If you know what you want to do but can't seem to make yourself do it...

If you're stuck in patterns that feel automatic...

If you've tried motivation, discipline and accountability but still find yourself going round the same loop... Therapy may be the place to start.

If you've already made significant changes and are ready to create a bigger vision for your life, career, relationships or business... Coaching may be exactly what you need.

And for many people, the most powerful transformation comes from experiencing both at the right time. Or investing in therapy followed by coaching as a seamless personal and professional development intervention and tool.

Because perhaps the goal isn't to become more disciplined.

Perhaps the goal is to stop fighting yourself, so that your energy can finally be spent building the life you actually want.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Catherine Carden is a ILM level 7 qualified coach and holds a NLP Coach Diploma and Certificate in Trauma-Informed Coaching www.beyond-the-box.co.uk

Nikki Brooke is a Rapid Transformational Therapist (RTT) specialising in helping high-functioning professionals and business owners overcome anxiety, stress and hidden coping behaviours by changing the subconscious patterns that keep them stuck. Through RTT, hypnotherapy and neuroscience-informed techniques, she helps clients create lasting change so they can thrive both personally and professionally.

www.nikkibrooke.co.uk

Why Gardening Could Be One of the Best Things You Ever Do for Your Anxiety

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:01:54 GMT

Why Gardening Could Be One of the Best Things You Ever Do for Your Anxiety

By Nikki Brooke, Rapid Transformational Therapist, in collaboration with Hannah HS Garden Design, Cardiff

I love Spring, when nature signals new life – Daffodils brightening the gardens and roadsides with hope and possibility. It’s now early Summer as I write this and this is when I love getting out in the garden.

Just a half hour, watering the tomato plants, and other pots, picking a few weeds, I find it’s a small moment in time when I naturally switch off and on those occasions when I get more time out there, I definitely notice a sense or serenity as I become completely absorbed in what I’m doing.

When people think about reducing anxiety, they often think about meditation, breathing exercises or therapy.

And whilst those things absolutely have their place, getting outside, getting your hands dirty and growing something is a simple and often overlooked way to chill out.

It might sound too simple to make much difference, but science is increasingly showing that gardening can have a genuinely positive effect on our mental wellbeing.

As someone who works with people struggling with anxiety and unhealthy coping habits, I'm always interested in practical things that help calm the nervous system naturally.

The interesting thing is, gardening isn't just "a nice hobby."

It appears to work on several different levels at once.

Anxiety Isn't Just in Your Head

Many of the people I work with are incredibly capable.

They run businesses.
They manage teams.
They provide for families.

From the outside, life looks pretty good.

But underneath it all, they're running on pressure.

Their brain never quite switches off.

They're constantly thinking about the next job, the next email, the next problem.

Eventually, many people find themselves reaching for something to take the edge off.

For some, it's a few drinks. For others, it might be cocaine, gambling, overworking or simply scrolling endlessly on their phone.

I call this The Pressure Loop™.

Pressure → Anxiety → Coping → Relief → Shame → More Pressure.

The problem isn't that people are weak.

The problem is that their nervous system has forgotten how to feel safe.

Gardening gives the brain an opportunity to step out of that cycle.

There Really Is Something In The Soil

I met Hannah, a garden designer at a networking event, and over coffee we started chatting. She is a long time sufferor of anxiety since her early teens and, now in her 30s she's also suffered from post natal depression. Her saving grace was, as hard as it was, getting outside. It would start with standing with her face in the sunshine to getting down on the ground and pulling weeds. Now a busy gardener and garden designer she manages a busy business, family life whilst her anxiety is kept in-check.

“Being outside, like for lots of people, has always played a role in my life from the time I was small. I just never really thought about how much it was helping until I found it difficult to get up and go outside.”

“Taking time out, away from my emails or worries helps to quiet the noise. I put my headphones in, put on an audio book, podcast or music and I just do the work. Some of the great things about gardening is that it's never done, if you get it wrong then you just try again and learn. If there is pressure then it comes from ourselves. Nature just appreciates the effort we make to help it, big or small.”

She also told me of a fascinating discovery involving a naturally occurring soil bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae .

Research suggests that exposure to this harmless microorganism may influence the body's immune system in ways that positively affect mood and stress resilience.

In animal studies, exposure to M. vaccae has been linked with reduced stress responses and behaviours associated with anxiety and depression. Scientists believe part of this may involve serotonin pathways—the same chemical messenger often associated with feelings of wellbeing and calm.

Now, to be clear, nobody is saying that digging the garden will cure anxiety or depression, but this definitely resonated with me and the calming effect gardening has on me!

It is just another piece of evidence showing that humans evolved alongside nature, and perhaps our brains still benefit from that connection more than we realise.

Your Brain Was Never Designed For Modern Life

Our ancestors didn't spend ten hours a day looking at screens, checking social media or sitting in meetings or checking notifications every few minutes.

The human brain evolved in natural environments. Being amongst the trees, bathing in rivers, waking to the birdsong and living in harmony with the changing seasons.

Modern neuroscience suggests that spending time in green spaces can reduce cortisol (our primary stress hormone), lower blood pressure and reduce the repetitive negative thinking patterns often associated with anxiety.

Many people describe feeling like they can finally breathe properly after spending an hour in the garden.

It turns out that feeling may be more than just our imagination.

Does Gardening Actually Change Your Brain?

Interestingly, studies looking at brain activity suggest that spending time in natural environments may encourage the brain to produce more alpha brain waves .

Alpha waves are associated with a state of relaxed alertness. It's the sort of state many people try to achieve through meditation, but also when we are in that creative flow state

The absorbing repetitive focus on pulling weeds, planting, watering and pruning occupies your mind just enough to stop overthinking, but not so much that it becomes stressful.

For many people, this creates a natural mindful state without ever having to sit cross-legged on a yoga mat.

Gardening Gives You A Different Kind Of Dopamine

One of the things we know about unhealthy coping habits is that they create huge spikes in dopamine.

The brain loves that quick reward, however the pleasure : pain balance means that after the high comes the crash, and eventually the brain starts craving more.

Gardening works differently.

For me, I love growing tomatoes. You plant them, care for them, watch them grow, notice the first flowers and then the little green tomatoes that bring me such silly delight as I see them ripen. There is such satisfaction in picking and eating something you have invested time an effort to grow

These are smaller, steadier rewards, ones that give you appreciation of effort and help rebuild a healthier relationship with pleasure and achievement.

It's not about replacing addiction with gardening. It's about teaching the brain that calm and satisfaction can come from ordinary life again.

"But I'm Not A Gardener..."

Me neither, I dabbled with various veggies over the covid lockdown – as a lot of us did and was surprised at how much I really got into it. You don't need a huge garden or head to the garden centre and spend a fortune. Hannah has a few tips on how you could get started.

Grow some herbs on the windowsill.

Mint, basil and rosemary are easy to grow and useful in the kitchen.

Plant something quick.

Sunflowers, lettuce or radishes give you visible progress quite quickly, which is surprisingly rewarding.

Spend fifteen minutes outside after work.

Leave your phone indoors and pull a few weeds, water your pots and maybe sweep the patio.

Allow your brain to understand that work has finished.

Visit a local garden centre.

Even walking amongst plants and greenery can help you slow down.

Get involved in a community allotment.

You don't just get fresh vegetables—you often gain connection, conversation and a sense of belonging too.

Sometimes The Smallest Things Create the Biggest Changes

Therapy can help change deep subconscious patterns, but there are other ways to support your journey

Exercise is brilliant for the body.
Good nutrition matters.

But sometimes recovery doesn't start with some huge life transformation.

Sometimes it starts with standing outside on a sunny evening, watering a few plants and noticing that, for the first time all day, your shoulders have dropped. Stepping away from pressure, emails, expectations. Just you, the fresh air and something quietly growing.

And perhaps that's exactly what your nervous system has been asking for all along.

Hannah at HS HS Garden Design is plant-led garden design to help you love and connect with your outside space.

HS Garden Design 07478312533 www.hsgardendesign.co.uk @hs_garden_design

References

Foxx CL et al. (2021). Effects of Immunization With the Soil-Derived Bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae on Stress Coping Behaviors and Cognitive Performance. Frontiers in Physiology.

Lowry CA et al. University of Bristol research into soil microorganisms and serotonin pathways.

Twohig-Bennett C, Jones A. (2018). The Health Benefits of the Great Outdoors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Greenspace Exposure.

Chen Z et al. (2022). EEG Changes Associated with Exposure to Natural Environments and Restorative Effects.

Mind Games or Healing? Unravelling the differences between Hypnotherapy and Stage Hypnosis

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:33:33 GMT

Is Hypnosis just entertainment, o r is there more to it?

Hypnosis is a powerful tool used by both entertainers and therapists, but the difference lies in its purpose and outcomes. While stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy share similarities in technique, they have vastly different goals and effects.

Stage Hypnosis: It’s All an Illusion

We’ve all seen stage hypnosis shows where participants appear to lose control, acting out in hilarious or embarrassing ways. But is it real? Stage hypnosis is primarily a form of entertainment, creating the illusion that participants are completely under the hypnotist’s control. In reality, it's more about suggestion and showmanship than genuine mind control.

How does a stage hypnotist get people to do those embarrassing things?

Commanding Presence: A successful stage hypnotist knows how to project control and authority. The audience and participants often expect to be influenced, creating a psychological predisposition to follow along.
Selecting the Right Participants: Before the show, hypnotists often test audience members to find those who are most suggestible. These individuals are more likely to be open to suggestion, making them ideal for the performance.
The "Hypnotic Trance": Once selected, participants are induced into a deeply relaxed state backstage. On stage, it may appear that the hypnotist is controlling them, but in reality, they are highly focused and responding to social pressure and expectation.

Who’s Really in Control?

Despite appearances, participants in stage hypnosis are willingly surrendering control temporarily. They chose to be on stage, knowing they’ll be part of the show. In many cases, there’s a strong element of social compulsion—they follow along because they want to be part of the entertainment.

Participants often perform actions they wouldn’t normally do, but nothing extreme or against their personal values. If asked to do something they were truly uncomfortable with, they would snap out of the trance immediately, as the conscious mind is always present.

How Is Hypnotherapy Different?

Hypnotherapy, unlike stage hypnosis, is not about entertainment—it's a deeply therapeutic practice designed to address specific emotional, mental, or physical issues. It helps clients overcome challenges such as anxiety, phobias, and bad habits by accessing the subconscious mind.

Here’s how hypnotherapy works:

Willing Participation: Just like stage hypnosis, hypnotherapy requires a willing and engaged client. The process starts with an initial consultation where the therapist explains the method and addresses any questions or concerns.
Hypnotic Induction: During a hypnotherapy session, you’ll either sit comfortably or lie down while the therapist guides you into a deeply relaxed state, known as induction. Techniques like breathing exercises, visualization, and verbal suggestions are used to help you reach a heightened state of focus and relaxation.
Full Control: Unlike the illusions created in stage hypnosis, you remain fully aware and in control throughout the session. The hypnotist cannot make you do anything against your will. Instead, they help you access the subconscious mind to resolve issues and change negative thought patterns.
Therapeutic Goals: In hypnotherapy, the hypnotic state is used to uncover and address the root cause of the client’s problems. Whether it's regressing to past experiences or shifting deeply ingrained thought patterns, hypnotherapy helps remap neural pathways to bring about lasting change.

The Power of Hypnosis: A Tool for Transformation

In simple terms, hypnosis is a versatile tool, and how it’s used determines the outcome. Stage hypnosis demonstrates the mind’s ability to focus and respond to suggestion in a lighthearted, entertaining context. In contrast, hypnotherapy harnesses this same mental focus to promote self-development, healing, and personal growth.

When used for therapeutic purposes, hypnosis can be one of the most powerful methods for overcoming mental and emotional barriers. It's not just mind games—it's a proven technique for creating lasting change and improvement.

Further Reading - How Hypnosis Works, According to Science

Hypnotherapy: Myths, Truths, and the Power of the Mind

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 09:42:04 GMT

D oes "Mind Control, Manipulation, Pocket Watches, and Hypnotic Swirls" come to mind when you think of hypnotherapy?

Many people are fascinated when I tell them I’m a hypnotherapist. Some imagine it’s a form of mind control or a mysterious art involving hypnotic swirls and swinging pocket watches. I've even been asked if I can read minds!

The Origins of Hypnosis and Where These Myths Come From

Hypnosis has a long history as a healing method, originally used for pain management and psychological wellness. Its roots can be traced back to ancient civilizations. However, over time, media has dramatically portrayed hypnosis as a tool of manipulation and control. This has often overshadowed the true therapeutic benefits of hypnotherapy.

From early films to cartoons, hypnosis has been depicted as a form of mind control, reinforcing the idea of a loss of control for those under its influence. Visual metaphors like the classic swinging pocket watch or the iconic hypnotic swirl have become symbolic of these misconceptions.

The Scientific Reality of Hypnotherapy

Contrary to popular belief, hypnotherapy is a calm, relaxing process that requires full cooperation between the client and therapist. The client remains completely aware and in control throughout the session.

Scientifically, hypnosis induces a "trance-like" state—a heightened focus and deep relaxation—where the mind becomes more receptive to therapeutic suggestions. This state allows new ideas and beliefs to be absorbed at a subconscious level, bypassing the critical, conscious mind, which often resists change.

The Benefits of Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy can be a highly effective way to address a range of issues, including:

Anxiety and Stress Management
Overcoming Phobias
Breaking Bad Habits
Pain Management
Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem

Despite the myths surrounding it, hypnosis is a powerful tool for personal transformation, allowing individuals to access their subconscious minds and create lasting change.

The Power of the Mind, Not Magic

While it’s fun to play along with the notion that I possess mystical powers, the truth is far less dramatic—but equally fascinating. The human mind is incredibly powerful, and hypnosis is simply a way to unlock its potential for positive change and healing.

How RTT can enable you to excel in Sport

Sun, 25 Aug 2024 13:52:43 GMT

The Powerful Impact of Rapid Transformational Therapy on Sports Performance

In the competitive arena of sports, athletes are always on the lookout for innovative methods to boost their performance, gain a competitive edge, and achieve their personal best. One emerging technique that is gaining momentum for its profound impact on sports performance is Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT). Developed by Marisa Peer, RTT is a revolutionary approach that combines the most effective elements of hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). By targeting the subconscious mind and reprogramming deep-seated beliefs, RTT offers athletes a unique and powerful way to overcome mental barriers and maximize their potential.

The Mind-Body Connection in Sports Performance

The connection between the mind and body is crucial in sports. Mental factors such as confidence, focus, and motivation are as important as physical training and skill development. However, many athletes struggle with issues like performance anxiety, self-doubt, and negative self-talk, which can significantly impair their performance. Traditional sports psychology often addresses these issues at a conscious level, but RTT delves deeper by working directly with the subconscious mind, where these limiting beliefs and emotions are deeply ingrained.

How Rapid Transformational Therapy Enhances Sports Performance

RTT works by identifying and addressing the root causes of an athlete’s mental blocks. During an RTT session, the therapist guides the athlete into a relaxed state of hypnosis, enabling access to the subconscious mind. In this state, the athlete can uncover the underlying causes of their mental challenges, which often stem from past experiences, traumas, or learned behaviors. Once these causes are identified, the therapist uses a combination of therapeutic techniques to reframe negative beliefs and instill new, empowering ones.

For instance, an athlete suffering from performance anxiety might discover through RTT that their fear of failure originates from a childhood experience of being harshly criticized. By addressing and reframing this experience, RTT helps the athlete replace fear with a sense of confidence and self-assurance. This mental shift can lead to significant improvements in performance, as the athlete is no longer burdened by anxiety and can perform at their best.

Key Benefits of RTT for Athletes

Boosted Confidence: RTT helps athletes develop a strong sense of self-belief, which is crucial for peak performance. By eliminating self-doubt and negative self-talk, athletes can approach their sport with greater confidence and resilience.
Enhanced Focus: Maintaining mental clarity and focus is vital in sports, where quick decisions often determine the outcome of a game or competition. RTT aids athletes in eliminating distractions, allowing them to maintain a laser-sharp focus on their goals.
Injury Recovery: Physical injuries often come with psychological challenges, such as fear of re-injury. RTT helps athletes overcome these mental barriers, facilitating faster recovery and a return to peak performance.
Stress and Anxiety Management: High-pressure situations are common in sports, and the ability to manage stress is critical. RTT equips athletes with the mental tools to remain calm and composed under pressure, improving their performance in critical moments.
Sustained Success: The benefits of RTT extend beyond short-term gains. By reprogramming deep-seated beliefs, athletes can achieve long-term success and continuous improvement throughout their careers.

Why Athletes Should Consider Rapid Transformational Therapy

Rapid Transformational Therapy offers a powerful, holistic approach to enhancing sports performance. By addressing the subconscious mind and reprogramming limiting beliefs, RTT helps athletes unlock their full potential, leading to improved confidence, focus, and resilience. As awareness of the importance of mental conditioning grows, RTT is likely to become an increasingly popular tool among athletes and coaches striving for excellence.

Further reading Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT): An Emerging Non-invasive Therapeutic Modality

Why Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) is Leading the Way in Mental Health

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 08:23:39 GMT

The Future of Therapy

Have you ever had therapy? Did you achieve the results you wanted?

I have undergone various modalities of therapy and all of them were useful, but only up to a point. As a voracious reader of self-help books I have always been interested in why we think and act as we do. How is that person so much more confident than me? How can they not be upset by that event? What makes that person attractive to another ?

We never get therapy as maintenance service to iron out the difficulties, to understand these ideas, it’s a solution we seek once our life train has been derailed….

Mental health has declined massively in recent years and more of us are seeking help and RTT stands out as a pioneering approach in addressing these needs. Developed by renowned therapist Marisa Peer, RTT is being hailed as the future of therapy due to its unique combination of techniques, its efficiency, and its holistic approach to mental health.

What is Rapid Transformational Therapy?

Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) is a hybrid therapy that integrates principles from hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

It focuses on uncovering the root causes of a client’s issues in the subconscious mind, where limiting beliefs and negative patterns are often deeply ingrained. Once these issues are identified, RTT uses a range of tools to reframe and transform these beliefs, enabling clients to break free from their past and create lasting positive change.

Due to way this therapy works at a deep level - eliminating the root cause, RTT therapists can work quickly and effectively with clients, often achieving significant results in just one to three sessions enabling clients to break free from their past and create lasting positive change.

The Efficiency of RTT

Traditional therapy methods, such as talk therapy, can require months or even years of sessions to achieve substantial progress. While these methods can be effective, they often demand a significant investment of time and resources. RTT, on the other hand, is designed to deliver results quickly. By accessing the subconscious mind directly, RTT therapists can uncover the root causes of a client’s issues in a fraction of the time it would take through conventional methods. This makes RTT particularly appealing to those who are seeking fast, effective solutions to their mental health challenges.

Holistic Approach to Healing

RTT is not just about symptom relief; it’s about holistic healing. Unlike many therapeutic approaches that focus primarily on managing symptoms, RTT aims to address the underlying causes of emotional and psychological distress. This means that clients often experience profound, life-changing results that go beyond simply feeling better in the short term. By transforming the beliefs and patterns that drive negative behaviour, RTT enables clients to make lasting changes in their lives, improving their overall well-being.

Versatility and Adaptability

Another reason why RTT is being hailed as the future of therapy is its versatility. RTT can be applied to a wide range of issues, from anxiety and depression to phobias, addiction, and even physical health conditions. Its adaptable nature means that it can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each client, making it a highly personalized form of therapy. Furthermore, RTT can be used in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities, enhancing its effectiveness and broadening its appeal.

The Science Behind RTT

RTT’s effectiveness is supported by an understanding of how the brain works. By engaging the subconscious mind, RTT taps into the most powerful part of our psyche, where our deepest beliefs and habits are stored. Neuroscientific research has shown that the subconscious mind plays a crucial role in shaping our thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. By working directly with this part of the mind, RTT can create rapid and lasting change, making it a powerful tool in the realm of mental health.

Conclusion

As mental health continues to take centre stage in our global conversations, therapies like RTT are leading the charge in providing innovative, effective solutions. With its rapid results, holistic approach, and versatility, Rapid Transformational Therapy is not just a trend; it is the future of therapy. By addressing the root causes of mental health issues and empowering individuals to make lasting changes, RTT is transforming lives and paving the way for a new era in mental health care.

Further Reading - Rapid Transformational Therapy - The Power of Beliefs—What's Holding You Back?

Why Gardening Could Be One of the Best Things You Ever Do for Your Anxiety

Difference to Rehab

Do I Need Rehab? The Difference Between Residential Rehab and Private Intensive Therapy

What actually happens in private rehab?

But not everybody who needs serious help needs to live in a treatment centre

Because stopping the behaviour and changing why you need it are two different things

This is where the Pressure Loop Method™ comes in

So what is the difference?

﻿

One isn't simply “better” than the other

Why working within real life can matter

How do I know which kind of help I need?

Private support for high-functioning professionals

What if some of the medicines of the future have been growing around us all along?

What Have We Forgotten? The Medicines Growing Around Us

From psilocybin and Alzheimer's to ayahuasca and traditional plant medicine, what might modern science learn by looking again at nature's apothecary?

Why Knowing Better Doesn't Always Mean Feeling Better

Understanding the neuroscience behind RTT, subconscious beliefs and why lasting change often begins beneath the surface.

Your brain is constantly learning, even when you don't realise it

Why your subconscious mind can keep you stuck in patterns you want to change

Your brain is trying to protect you, even when the response is no longer helpful

Why we develop habits that make us feel better temporarily, even when we know they're causing problems

Understanding the High-Functioning Pressure Loop

Neuroplasticity: your brain can learn something new

Can we change the emotional meaning of something that happened in the past?

So how does Rapid Transformational Therapy actually work?

First, we explore the pattern

Then we use hypnosis to explore beneath conscious awareness.

We challenge the old meaning

Finally, we reinforce the new learning

Why can RTT sometimes produce change relatively quickly?

Why understanding the root of a problem can make such a difference

Frequently Asked Questions About RTT and the Brain

What is the neuroscience behind Rapid Transformational Therapy?

Can RTT really change subconscious beliefs?

What does addressing the root cause actually mean?

Why do I keep repeating behaviours when I know they are bad for me?

Can hypnotherapy help with anxiety and overthinking?

Can RTT help with addictive habits such as alcohol or cocaine use?

Does RTT involve going back to childhood?

Can you change a belief you have held for years?

How quickly can RTT work?

Do I need to know what is causing my problem before starting RTT?

Ready to understand what's driving your own patterns?

Scientific References and Further Reading

Quitting Cocaine? How Food and Supplements Can Support you

Quitting Cocaine? How Nutrition and Supplements Can Support Your Brain and Body in Recovery

Why feeling tired, flat, hungry or unmotivated after stopping cocaine doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong

What Cocaine Has Actually Been Asking Your Body to Do

Why You Can Feel So Flat After Cocaine

Eat to Recover, Not to Be Perfect

Protein: Giving Your Brain the Building Blocks It Needs

Omega-3 Fats: Supporting the Brain Rather Than Chasing Dopamine

Colourful Fruit and Vegetables: Helping the Body Deal With Oxidative Stress

Complex Carbohydrates: Don't Be Frightened of Them

What About Supplements?

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

Citicoline

L-Theanine

Magnesium

B Vitamins

A Simple Recovery Plate

Your First Few Weeks Without Cocaine

Be Careful About Replacing One Form of Stimulation With Another

The Supplement Cannot Fix the Reason You Needed Cocaine

Your Body Can Recover – Give It the Conditions to Do So

A Note About Safety

References

When Someone You Love Has a Cocaine Habit That Has Become Out of Control

When Someone You Love Has a Cocaine Habit That Has Become Out of Control ﻿

Supporting someone you love whilst protecting yourself.

In This Article

When the Person You Love No Longer Feels Like Themselves

Why It Can Feel Like They Are Choosing Cocaine Over You

The Truth About Cocaine and the Brain

Why Shame Rarely Helps Someone Change

Compassion Doesn’t Mean Accepting Hurtful Behaviour

Looking After Yourself Isn’t Selfish – It Is Essential

Be Careful Not to Lose Yourself Trying to Save Someone Else

Communicate Honestly, Not Emotionally

When Someone You Love Has a Cocaine Habit That Has Become Out of Control

Why Gardening Could Be One of the Best Things You Ever Do for Your Anxiety