REHAB FOR COCAINE ADDICTION
Many think that cocaine use is on the decline because news headlines are usually about the opioid epidemic, but studies have shown that cocaine use is on the rise. According to the DEA, Colombia has greatly increased production of the coca plant, where cocaine is derived. DEA analyst Leah-Perle Bloomenstein said in a recent public talk that “Potential pure cocaine production in Colombia has reached the highest levels ever recorded”. The rise in cocaine use comes partly from some seeing cocaine as “safer” than opioids, but cocaine addiction and dangers are just as risky. Cocaine is also highly addictive and can be just as harmful, if not deadly.
WHAT IS COCAINE?
Cocaine is a stimulant that creates an energetic and alert feeling in its users. It can be found in several forms, but most commonly it comes as a fine, white powder or a solid rock. Cocaine is usually snorted in powder form but can also be mixed with water and injected. Intravenous (IV) use comes with its own set of risks including skin infections, abscesses, cellulitis, and sepsis – the body’s natural response to infection. It can also be found in a solid form called crack, which is smoked.
Cocaine works by releasing high levels of dopamine in the brain’s reward center and causes feelings of pleasure, a surge of energy, and a boost of confidence.
Usually, when dopamine is released naturally in the brain, it recycles back into the cell that released it and shuts off the signal. Cocaine stops this normal communication and the person’s brain continuously releases more dopamine creating a high with heightened mental awareness and hypersensitive senses as well.
PHYSICAL EFFECTS
There are several short term effects to cocaine in addition to the rush of energy and sensitivity to sight, sound and touch, including:
- Decreased appetite
- Paranoia
- Irritability and anger
Long-term cocaine users run the risk of more serious health concerns. Cocaine increases heart rate while also constricting the arteries, including the ones in the heart. This can lead to heart attack, even in young, healthy people. Brain blood vessels are also constricted which may lead to a stroke. Other effects include:
- Sexual dysfunction
- Blood clots
- Intense headaches
- Mood disorders
- Lung damage
- Heart disease
- Loss of your sense of smell
- Anxiety
- Cerebral atrophy (brain shrinkage)
- Damage to the internal structure of the nose (referred to as “coke nose”)
- Abnormal heart rhythm
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ADDICTION
Like many other drugs, long-term use of cocaine can cause tolerance, requiring higher and higher doses to achieve the same effects. Cocaine is also highly addictive, causing users to start craving the high.
The more frequently it is used, the more likely it is to change the brain’s chemistry causing the brain to rely on cocaine for the artificial release of dopamine. Once the body has become physically dependent, it will develop withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not present.
Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include:
- Fatigue
- Increased appetite
- Depression
- Intense nightmares
- Chills
- Nerve pain
- Muscle aches
- Anxiety
- Chills
RECOVERY FROM COCAINE ADDICTION
If you or someone you love has developed an addiction to cocaine, there is help, no matter how long the addiction started. With DayBreak Treatment Solutions, you do not have to go through recovery alone. Our goal is to help those suffering from cocaine or other addictions to recover and enjoy life again. Our treatment programs are tailored to meet the needs of our patients.
We offer several levels of care including partial hospitalization, an intensive outpatient program, and a comprehensive medically supervised detox program. With the support of our medically certified staff, patients are guided through the programs that best meet their needs and towards a successful recovery.
Each treatment is designed specifically for you and your unique situations. Our program offers individual, group, and family therapy. Additionally, we also provide gender-specific group therapy to help build deeper bonds and trust to get to the root of your addiction.
Our patients also participate in 12-step group programs in-house and outside the treatment facility, along with medication management and other activities that will help them reach their goals. We also have an aftercare program to help our patients maintain success in their recovery. With proper help and treatment options, you can take control of your life again.