Overcome Burnout with Evidence-Based Solutions
What is burnout?
Many professionals use stress and adrenaline to their advantage, however for some the strain causes mental and physical exhaustion – also known as burnout.
Burnout can affect anyone, however, people with perfectionist and controlling tendencies who work in stressful business environments are most likely to be affected.
What are the symptoms of executive burnout?
- Irritability & impatience at work
- Lack of energy
- Low self-esteem at work
- Depression or anxiety
- Insomnia and ‘racing brain’ at night
- Overeating or undereating
- Minor physical symptoms such as headaches, regular colds, indigestion
- Reliance on alcohol or drugs to get through the day.
Self-medication
Some professionals who experience stress and burnout begin to self-medicate – using alcohol or drugs such as cocaine to enhance their performance and alertness.
Cocaine
Cocaine use is rising among professionals in the City of London. Cocaine temporarily increases mental alertness and energy, but it is a highly addictive drug and increased amounts are needed to achieve the desired results. Long-term cocaine misuse leads to decreased concentration and decreased memory and affects judgement and decision-making abilities.
Alcohol
Alcohol is often used by workers during the evening, to unwind after a day’s work. However, a person can become reliant on increasing amounts of alcohol to relax and help deal with social and business situations. This may lead to drinking during lunch or before meetings and eventually can lead to addiction.
Finding help
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has published a detailed online guide for coping with work-related stress.
When stress leads to addiction it is important that senior management find a suitable treatment programme as soon as possible. Early detection and intensive treatment will rescue the investment made in a highly trained and skilled employee and save companies money in the long run.
The medical and therapeutic team at Castle Craig has the expertise in treating not only alcohol and drug addictions but other co-occurring disorders such as stress, anxiety, burnout and depression. Castle Craig is based near Edinburgh on 50 acres of private parkland enabling us to guarantee a tranquil and confidential environment.
How Can Castle Craig Help?
Who will I speak to when I call Castle Craig?
When you call you will reach our Help Centre team who will give you all the information you need to help you decide whether to choose treatment at Castle Craig. If you decide that you would like to have a free screening assessment you will be asked a series of questions to build up a picture of your medical and drug use history as well as any mental health issues you are facing. If you decide you want to proceed with treatment you will be put in touch with our admissions case managers who will guide you through the admissions process.
How long is the rehab programme?
Residential rehab treatment starts at 4 weeks and can go up to 12+ weeks. Research shows us that the longer you stay in rehab and are part of the residential therapy programme, the longer the likelihood of continued abstinence and stable recovery.
How do I pay for rehab?
One concern we sometimes hear from people is how they will fund their rehab treatment. You can pay for treatment at Castle Craig privately, or through medical insurance, and some people receive funding through the NHS. The cost of rehab varies depending on what kind of accommodation you choose.
What happens at the end of my treatment?
Castle Craig thoroughly prepares patients before departure by creating a personalised continuing care plan which is formulated following discussions with the medical and therapeutic team. We offer an online aftercare programme which runs for 24 weeks after leaving treatment, in order to ensure a smooth transition back into your everyday life. Patients leaving treatment automatically join our Recovery Club where they can stay connected via our annual reunion, events, online workshops and recovery newsletters.