Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Cocaine, commonly known as "blow" or "coke", is a highly addictive and dangerous drug that is often abused recreationally in the United States. Addiction to cocaine has become a serious problem in recent years. Currently, around 25 million Americans have used or will have used cocaine at least once in their lifetime. Cocaine is a substance that originates from the cocoa plant and is usually found in a white powder form, but can also be used in a solid form known as crack.
The use of cocaine can have a immensely negative effect on the human body and brain. In more serious instances, cocaine use can lead to heart attacks or strokes, which may cause sudden death. Listed below are some common side-effects of cocaine use, ranging in severity from short and long-term use:
- Loss of appetite
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Bizarre or violent behavior
- Convulsions and seizures
- Severe tooth decay
- Liver, kidney, and lung damage
- High blood pressures
- Heart attacks and strokes
- Respiratory failure from smoking
- Destruction of tissues in nose from sniffing or snorting
- Reproductive damage and infertility (for men and women)
- Infectious disease and abscesses from injection
- Sudden death from too high of a dose
The high that a user gets from cocaine is very short-lived and intense, eventually leading to a heavy crash. This leaves the user feeling depressed, on edge, and craving more to get that false sense of euphoria back. An individual using cocaine regularly, over time, will exhibit a higher tolerance to the drug and cause them to acquire more of the drug and use higher doses which will only exacerbate the addiction.
Once the individual can admit or realize that they have a cocaine addiction, the next step in the treatment process would be to check the individual into the proper treatment facility. Each individual's addiction is different and their treatment program will be tailored to best suit his or her specific needs. The main goals of the addiction treatment program include abstinence from cocaine, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation.
Upon checking into the treatment facility, the person will begin a medically assisted detoxification. The detox will remove any chemical traces of cocaine that are in the person's body in order to halt the individual's physical dependence of the drug. The detoxification process for individuals with cocaine addictions may cause withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, upset stomach, problems sleeping, itching, and cravings. Trained medical professionals will be on-site 24/7 to provide any necessary withdrawal medications to ensure that the individual is as comfortable as possible throughout the process.
Once the detox is complete, the focus will shift to the individual's emotional dependency on cocaine. They will partake in one-on-one counseling sessions with a licensed therapist to help figure out the cause or reason that the cocaine use began in the first place. The goal of these therapy sessions is to get to the root of the addiction and focus on any triggers or emotional stress and trauma that may have led the person to start using. Therapy also aims to help the individual along the recovery process by implementing positive thought patterns and stress management so that the user doesn't seek out the drug when feeling upset or stressed.
After the individual is finally clean from the detox, The Treatment Helpline suggests that they enroll in an aftercare program. Aftercare programs may consist of continuing therapy sessions or joining a 12-step program, such as Cocaine Anonymous. Programs such as these can be tools for positive reinforcement for the progress made while in the treatment facility. As with any treatment program, these aftercare programs must match the individual's needs in order to be an effective treatment option.
The Treatment Helpline is available 24/7 to take your call. Our skilled addiction counselors are here to help you figure out which treatment option suites you or a loved one's needs. Get the help that you deserve today.