Cocaine Addiction: Signs and Proper Treatment

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant. This drug functions to temporarily increase the availability of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is one of the chemical messengers that increase feelings of pleasure. But this initial high can come with lasting adverse effects.

Often, loved ones are unaware of the signs of cocaine addiction until it’s time to seek help. Fortunately, treatment is available for cocaine addiction and abuse in Riverside County, California. Breaking free of this dangerous drug requires support from professionals, including assistance through residential cocaine rehab facilities.

Understanding The Risks And Symptoms Of Cocaine Addiction

Some people may find the appeal of the cocaine high hard to resist. Unfortunately, they may also find themselves hooked after merely one try. A cocaine addiction often begins as a recreational habit to help individuals feel more social at gatherings or stay up longer at parties. Many individuals even use cocaine to stay awake so they can get work done. 

No matter why it starts, cocaine addiction generally ends the same way – with financial problems, health concerns, strained relationships, and other personal issues that require rehabilitation. The greatest hope for long-term recovery is through cocaine addiction rehab.

Physical and Behavioral Signs of Cocaine Addiction

Physical signs that cocaine addicts will exhibit will include:

• Dilated pupils
• Runny nose
• Nose bleeds
• Weight loss
• Burn marks on hand and lips
• Needle marks from injecting the drug
• Powder residue around their nose and mouth
• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns

Behavioral signs that cocaine users may exhibit will include:

• Developing depression and anxiety over time
• Stealing to get money to support their cocaine habit
• Withdrawing from family, friends, and responsibilities
• Weakened performance at home, school, and work
• Spending significant time seeking out, using, and recovering from using cocaine
• Displaying mood swings or personality changes, including aggressiveness and hostility

Effects of Cocaine Addiction

Long-term cocaine abuse may lead to an abundance of severe problems for users. The greater length the individual has been using cocaine, the more serious the effects are. 

Common effects of cocaine abuse include:

• Divorce
• Incarceration
• Joblessness
• Cardiac arrest
• Collapsed veins
• Mounting financial problems
• Abscesses at injection sites
• Permanent lung damage
• Respiratory arrest
• Nasal perforation
• Seizures
• Strokes
• Sudden death
• Suicide

The way in which a person uses cocaine will also alter the duration and intensity of the high. The effects of snorting cocaine are temporary, lasting roughly 15-30 minutes. Injecting or smoking cocaine is a more intense high. But it only lasts for a short period, approximately 5-10 minutes. A majority of cocaine users will often keep dosing to maintain the high. Injecting cocaine poses a greater risk of overdose than snorting it does.

Cocaine abuse is especially risky because continual use can cause heart complications. The most frequent cause of death for regular cocaine users is cardiac arrest or stroke. 

Cocaine Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms 

Cocaine use stimulates the pleasure sensors of the brain, which is responsible for rewarding people with pleasant sensations. Using cocaine to stimulate these areas feels so good that often users will begin to crave cocaine more often. This can lead to tolerance and dependence. Once the user suddenly ceases to use cocaine, that’s when the withdrawal symptoms begin.

Cocaine addiction withdrawal symptoms include:

• Chills
• Anxiety
• Tremors
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Shakiness
• Goosebumps
• Muscle aches
• Suicidal thoughts
• Cravings for cocaine

Dangers of Going Through Cocaine Detox Alone

Cocaine relapse is quite an obstacle to long-term recovery without proper care. Anyone who attempts to end cocaine addiction alone will have a significantly higher chance of relapsing than someone who chooses to admit themselves into a cocaine rehab center. The professional help at cocaine rehab facilities is key to overcoming the addiction and turning individuals’ lives around.

Detoxing from cocaine is the first step towards recovery. That’s why our inpatient rehab program begins with monitored detox. Following inpatient cocaine rehab, clients will step down to our residential treatment. The details of each client’s recovery plan will be personalized based on their needs.

Conquer Cocaine Addiction With Proper Treatment

Individuals who suffer from a cocaine addiction could experience intense withdrawal symptoms shortly after discontinuing use. The first step in cocaine addiction treatment is the detoxification process. Some may prefer to detox at home, but this usually turns out to be problematic for most users. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms produce numerous harsh effects, such as depression and intense cravings, which may lead to self-harm.

The psychological anxiety that comes with withdrawal symptoms could prompt users to start using cocaine again to get relief. Detoxing in a medically supervised facility will ensure safety and set patients up for long-term sobriety.

Upon completing a medical detox, patients will transition into the next level of treatment. The exact form of treatment will depend on each patient’s condition. 

Residential Program

This is the most intensive form of rehab which follows right after detox. For more severe addictions, this may be the best form of treatment. Inpatient treatment programs will vary in length but usually last 30 to 90 days.

Inpatient rehab programs require patients to live at the facility for the duration of the treatment process. Patients have access to on-site treatment specialists who will monitor conditions round-the-clock. Many inpatient treatment programs will provide amenities to improve the patient’s well-being to make their stay more comfortable. 

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Some rehab centers offer partial hospitalization and/or intensive outpatient programs. IOPs and PHPs allow patients to seek treatment during the day at a rehab facility while still returning home at night. While at the rehab facility, patients will participate in a variety of activities, such as group and individual therapy, along with holistic treatments like music/art therapy.

What to Expect in Treatment

While attending treatment, patients will usually participate in behavioral interventions which include:

• The Matrix Model – This therapy approach is generally used in treating addictions to stimulants drugs like cocaine. This model employs numerous various therapeutic strategies to improve the patient’s self-worth and decrease substance use. Patients who participate in this form of treatment exhibit improvements in their psychology and tend to reduce their negative sexual behaviors.
• Contingency Management (CM) – This therapy approach uses vouchers to motivate the patient to stay sober. When the patient produces a substance-free urine sample, for example, they’ll receive a coupon for prizes like money or other rewards.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – CBT helps patients in recognizing patterns in their thinking that is hazardous. Frequently, these negative thoughts fuel addiction. Through CBT, patients will be educated on how to adjust their thinking and can cope with stressors without using substances.

During the treatment process, patients will work with a therapist to produce an aftercare plan. Aftercare is different for everyone, but some examples include serving as a sponsor, volunteering in the community, practicing self-care, and attending 12-step groups. These are all tools that help prepare patients to continue with their sober after treatment.

Throughout the treatment process, patients can access 12-step and other different forms of groups within their community. These groups are free of charge and provide an immense amount of support while recovering from cocaine addiction. Support group options include:

• LifeRing
• Celebrate Recovery
• Cocaine Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• SMART Recovery

How to Avoid Addiction Relapse

Although the mission of addiction rehab is to transition out of treatment and continue to be abstinent from substance use, the truth is at any time, relapse is a possibility. If you relapse after treatment, it essential to know that you’re not a failure. Many patients relapse upon leaving treatment numerous times during their attempts to live an addiction-free life.

A few ways to help prevent relapse will include:

• Avoiding triggers – Triggers are places, people, or things that remind the user of getting high on cocaine. By working with a therapist, this can help patients to identify what triggers them so it can be avoided. As for the times when it’s not probable to prevent those triggers, having ways to counter them in a more healthily manner.
• Practice relaxation methods to decrease stress – Enduring high levels of stress could lead patients to use cocaine. A proven way is to practice activities daily to help de-stress and decompress. Some examples are to meditate or practicing deep breathing techniques.
• Exercise – Becoming physically healthy has many positive effects not just on the body but on the mind’s mental health as well.
• Staying involved in therapy – Continuing to see a therapist regularly helps patients in staying connected to their feelings and thoughts. The advantages of treatment are limitless. A therapist can help patients in reflecting on their progress and help them process things even when treatment is over.

There various options available to help cocaine addicts in becoming and staying sober. Don’t hesitate any longer to get help for cocaine addiction.

Recovery Is Possible — Get Professional Cocaine Treatment Today

The path to recovering from cocaine addiction is a difficult one to walk, but with the help of Daylight Recovery Services, it is possible. Our addiction treatment specialists will guide you through the process of recovery until your ready to get back into the world with the tools required to continue your lifestyle of sobriety. 

Advantages of addiction treatment at Daylight Recovery Services include:

• Monitored cocaine detox
• Residential treatments for cocaine addiction
• 12-step cocaine recovery
• Group & one on one therapy sessions

If you or a loved one are ready to beat cocaine addiction and begin a better life, let us assist you! Our professional team at Daylight Recovery Services in Corona, California is ready to help make recovery as efficient and comfortable as possible for you. We are standing by 24/7. Contact us today for help.

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