Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Cocaine addiction can be a dangerous struggle for the addict and everyone around them. With its negative short-term and long-term effects, it is important to get cocaine addiction treatment as soon as possible. 

As a street drug and a commonly abused substance, cocaine can be highly addictive and can cause a dangerous level of tolerance. Continuous use of cocaine can lead to addiction and long-term health complications among others. 

If you are concerned that a loved one or someone you know may be struggling with cocaine addiction, Silver Linings Recovery Center may be able to help. Our personalized cocaine addiction treatment program offers a number of options to get you toward a happier and cleaner lifestyle. 

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a stimulant drug created from the leaves of the coca plant in South America. Unfortunately, many individuals abuse this illicit drug.

The appearance of cocaine is typically a white substance. Cocaine interacts with the body’s central nervous system, creating euphoria and a ‘rush’ of energy when a person uses it. Cocaine stimulates the production of a high level of dopamine in the brain, particularly the areas related to pleasure and reward. This is what fuels the ‘high’ factor that accompanies cocaine use. 

Continuous use of cocaine can cause a number of physical health issues. This substance can change the genetics of the brain and nerve cells, along with other permanent effects. Cocaine’s addictive nature only reinforces these negative effects. It can even lead to death if a person uses it excessively or in combination with other drugs or alcohol. 

Other Names for Cocaine

There a number of different names for cocaine, mainly because of its illegality. Popular nicknames for the substance include:

• Coke
• Crack
• Blow
• Rock
• Snow

Methods of Cocaine Use

There a number of ways in which people may use cocaine. The primary method is to snort the substance or rub it into their gums. Others tend to dissolve the powder and inject it directly into the bloodstream. 

Whichever way people use it, cocaine has the same sort of effects on the user. It’s also important to note that the effects of cocaine use may vary depending on the method of use. 

Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction

The effects of cocaine use happen almost immediately and can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. There are both short-term and long-term effects that negatively affect the user. It is important to understand and spot these signs and symptoms in loved ones. 

Short-Term Effects of Cocaine Use

Many people tend to abuse cocaine to better perform mentally and physically. Others might feel the opposite effects. Large doses of cocaine can cause strange, and violent behavior. The short-term effects of cocaine include:

• Mental alertness
• Irritable behavior
• Extreme shifts in mood (happiness and energy)
• Paranoia (distrust towards those around you)
• Hypersensitive to sight, sound, and touch

Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Addiction

The long-term effects of cocaine depend on how it is used. Continued use of cocaine can cause permanent damage to the body and mind. Its addictive nature only reinforces these negative effects. Based on the category, the long-term effects of cocaine use include the following:

• Snorting: Loss of smell, runny nose, trouble swallowing
• Smoking: Coughing, asthma, respiratory distress, increased risk of infection (such as pneumonia) 
• Oral consumption: Intense bowel decay (caused by reduced blood flow)
• Injecting: Increased risk of contracting HIV, and other bloodborne diseases, skin/soft tissue infection, and collapsed veins. 

Along with these short-term and long-term detriments comes malnourishment among other negative effects. Cocaine can cause serious health damage if it is not treated in time. If you or someone you know is abusing cocaine, it is imperative to seek medical help as soon as possible. 

Cocaine Overdose

It is possible to overdose on cocaine if enough is taken. An overdose typically happens when a person uses enough of a particular drug to trigger serious adverse effects and life-threatening symptoms. 

An overdose can occur after first-time cocaine use or much later on depending on the person. Some people combine cocaine with alcohol, which highly increases the chances of overdose and death in the long run. 

There are telling signs that someone may be overdosing on cocaine. Cocaine overdose symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Hallucinations
• Extreme agitation
• Trouble breathing
• High blood pressure
• High body temperature

If you notice that someone has any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. 

Treating Cocaine Addiction 

The first step to recovering from cocaine addiction is admitting you have a problem. This is the most important step and allows a chance to live a happier and healthier life without being confined to an addiction as intense as cocaine. 

There are a number of different treatment options for a cocaine addiction including rehab, detox, and different therapies to help you get on a stable road to recovery and stay there. Silver Linings provides each of these personalized treatments in our trusted cocaine addiction rehab center. 

Detoxification

Detoxification (or detox for short) is typically the first step of almost all addiction cases. Detox involves purging the body of substances or alcohol. While detox alone doesn’t outright ‘cure’ a person of addiction, it opens up many doors for treatment and recovery. 

The detox process for cocaine takes around 7 to 10 days. We make sure that you are comfortable during this time and always have access to our staff whenever you need them. With 24/7 monitoring, you will be safe and supported throughout the process. 

Inpatient Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

Inpatient treatment is ideal for those with severe addiction, like cocaine. Treatment centers like Silver Linings allow for a clean and supportive environment. With a variety of different resources and a trained staff that will be by your side every step of the way, Inpatient treatment allows for the best treatment. 

Around-the-clock staff, medication-assisted therapy, individuals therapy sessions, and residential housing are all elements of inpatient treatment. With an addiction as strong as cocaine, it is important to have access to medical professionals at a moment’s notice to ensure successful treatment. 

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is the perfect option for those with prior obligations that still want to get help. Outpatient treatment offers many of the therapy options and resources of inpatient treatment but on a weekly basis. Outpatient treatment is usually for milder cases of addiction. 

Therapy Options

Therapy is one of the best ways to cope and recover from an addiction. There are a number of different options available to you at Silver Linings to help you overcome your cocaine addiction. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, mental health counseling, and support groups are all options towards recovering from an addiction. It is important to be in the right state of mind to avoid relapses after your treatment is complete. You can also speak with qualified medical professionals to further help you towards recovery. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is widely used to treat cocaine addiction. The primary goal of CBT is to recognize harmful thoughts that may lead to relapses. This kind of therapy allows the person to cope with these thoughts and learn how to deal with them.

Many times the person will have temptations to use cocaine again and CBT helps combat these relapse-inducing thoughts along with full avoidance of triggers. CBT allows a sense of accountability and agency within the person, two crucial elements of staying clean and healthier in a long-term scope. 

Narcotics and Cocaine Anonymous

After a person completes their treatment, it is important to remain stable and clean. One of the best ways to avoid relapses down the road is to connect with others. Narcotics and Cocaine Anonymous allow a supportive and open environment to share your thoughts and open up to others. 

There are several support groups for those who have recovered from cocaine addiction including Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous among others. Both of these groups utilize the 12-step program approach to achieve long-term sobriety. 

Overcoming Cocaine Addiction 

Cocaine is an addiction that can destroy a person from the inside out and affects everyone around them as well. Cocaine addiction rehab allows a person to combat these negative effects and live a happier and healthier life. 

The sooner you get help, the better chance you have of recovering. With all the negative consequences of continued cocaine use, you can’t afford to wait. Thousands of people have made the choice to fight their addiction and now it’s your time. 

Get Help Today

After you take the first step towards getting help, the road to recovery could save your life. Silver Linings Recovery Center can assist you today. Our passionate and qualified staff of trained psychiatrists, doctors, and therapists is here just for you. It’s time to break free from your cocaine addiction and become the person you deserve to be. If you are concerned that a loved one or someone you know is struggling with cocaine addiction, don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information on treatment options.