Cocaine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant drug that is abused for its euphoric effects. It is available on the street as coke, crack, blow, snow, and rock.1 People who abuse this drug need care at a cocaine addiction treatment center.
An estimated 1.5 million Americans have cocaine addiction.2 From 2012 to 2018, drug overdose deaths involving cocaine more than tripled.3 These worrisome statistics underline the need for effective cocaine detox programs in Washington. A cocaine addiction treatment center can help prevent untimely deaths due to overdose.
Treatment at a cocaine rehab can also help prevent many of the adverse health effects of cocaine abuse. Washington rehab centers like Discover Recovery offer holistic addiction treatment programs for people with cocaine addiction. Read on to learn how a cocaine addiction treatment center can help you or someone you love overcome your substance abuse.
What is Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine is a stimulant, meaning it makes the user feel energetic, talkative, alert, and extremely happy. The drug produces these effects by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. But why does cocaine abuse need to be treated at a cocaine addiction treatment center?
Dopamine is a natural chemical that controls pleasure and reward. Cocaine floods the brain with dopamine. When someone uses cocaine repeatedly, their brain becomes less sensitive to the drug. As a result, they need more frequent and stronger doses of cocaine to experience the same high and prevent withdrawal symptoms. These cocaine withdrawal symptoms need to be managed at a cocaine addiction treatment center.
With continued abuse of cocaine, a person starts craving cocaine and develops a strong physical and psychological dependence on the drug. They need bigger and more frequent doses of the drug to get the same effects. This is known as cocaine addiction. Once this happens, the person needs professional cocaine detox to come off the drug safely. A cocaine addiction treatment center offers specialized treatment for cocaine addicts.
What Is Cocaine Detox?
Cocaine detox is a medically assisted process that helps eliminate cocaine from the body. During this process, your physical and mental well-being will be challenged as your body will try to adapt and restore the production of chemicals previously produced by cocaine. Cocaine withdrawal can be a long and complex process, and detox is only temporary. By staying determined and motivated, you can overcome cravings for the drug, allowing your body to heal from its effects.
During the detox process, there can be periods of low moods and suicidal and depressive thoughts. This is when in-patient treatment at a recovery center becomes a necessity to allow the medical professionals to monitor the user and ensure that they do not put themselves at any risk.
Dangers of Cocaine Abuse
People use cocaine for its euphoric effects. However, the drug has several side effects that can lead to health complications.1 These health complications are often seen in people seeking care at a cocaine addiction treatment center.
In the short term, cocaine can lead to dilated pupils, nausea, constricted blood vessels, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, high body temperature, shakiness, and restlessness. Some people report irritability, paranoia, and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real) after using cocaine. The medical team at a cocaine addiction treatment center can manage these symptoms during drug withdrawal.
Cocaine also has several long-term health consequences. People who snort the drug may experience loss of smell, frequent runny nose, nosebleeds, and trouble with swallowing. Smoking cocaine can lead to asthma, cough, and an increased risk of respiratory infections like pneumonia. Consuming cocaine by mouth can lead to reduced blood flow and decay of the bowel. People who inject cocaine are at risk of contracting hepatitis C and HIV and suffering from collapsed veins and scarring.1 These are all health consequences of cocaine abuse that need to be managed at a professional cocaine addiction treatment center.
Washington rehab centers like Discover Recovery cocaine addiction treatment center use a variety of techniques to address the physical, mental, and social effects of cocaine abuse. Entering a cocaine rehab program is essential to prevent the serious health effects of the drug. Cocaine overdose can lead to heart attack, stroke, seizures, and death.
There is no specific medication to reverse cocaine overdose. People who mix cocaine with alcohol or cocaine with heroin are at a particularly high risk of lethal consequences.
Who is at Risk of Cocaine Abuse and Addiction?
Cocaine addiction can develop quickly after using the drug just a few times. Therefore, anyone who uses crack cocaine is at risk of developing a dependence on the drug. Oftentimes, a cocaine addiction treatment center treats patients who have only used cocaine a handful of times.
Risk factors for cocaine abuse include a family history of addiction, the presence of other addictions, and mental illness like PTSD or depression. A dual diagnosis cocaine addiction treatment center can treat both mental health conditions as well as cocaine addiction.
Surveys have found that cocaine abuse is highly prevalent in young adults aged 18 to 25 years, more than any other age group.2 This is the population that is often cared for at a cocaine addiction treatment center. What’s more, young adults face unique challenges in overcoming substance abuse. That’s why Washington rehab centers like Discover Recovery offer a Young Adult Program that addresses issues like college, family troubles, social anxieties, and childhood trauma. A program like this gives young-adult clients the best chance of sustainable recovery.
How to Recognize Cocaine Addiction?
You may be wondering if a friend or family member needs to go to a cocaine addiction treatment center. It can be difficult to identify cocaine abuse because the drug is fast-acting. Its effects appear almost immediately and disappear within an hour. Nonetheless, the following signs and symptoms are red flags that someone may be addicted to the drug and needs cocaine detox.
- The person needs larger or more frequent doses of cocaine to get high (this is called tolerance).
- The person is unable to stop cocaine use despite negative consequences on health, family life, and work.
- The person experiences withdrawal symptoms when cocaine is withheld. A cocaine addiction treatment center can help manage these symptoms.
- The person spends excessive time and money trying to obtain cocaine.
- The person often disappears for binge sessions.
- The person displays symptoms like irritability, anxiety, shakiness, or hallucinations. These symptoms are treated at a cocaine addiction treatment center.
If you or someone you love has the symptoms of cocaine addiction, you should not delay seeking professional help. Discover Recovery is a cocaine rehab facility in Washington staffed by experienced and compassionate professionals, including masters-level clinicians, board-certified addiction medicine experts, and registered nurses. The clinical team at Discover Recovery cocaine addiction treatment center will work with you to make a cocaine-free life a reality.
What Happens During Cocaine Detox?
When a person who is addicted to cocaine cuts down or quits drug use, they experience cocaine withdrawal, which is characterized by general discomfort, fatigue, depression, agitation, restlessness, increased appetite, slowed activity, and vivid, unpleasant dreams. The appearance of these severe symptoms when cocaine is withheld is the reason why many cocaine addicts are fearful of cocaine rehab. However, withdrawal symptoms can be successfully managed during cocaine detox at a residential rehab facility. A specialized cocaine addiction treatment center is staffed by medical personnel who can make detox smoother.
Quitting cocaine cold turkey at home is not recommended. It can be dangerous to stop using drugs like cocaine suddenly. Medical detox at a cocaine addiction treatment center provides round-the-clock care and supervision to ensure the safety and comfort of a recovering addict.
At Discover Recovery cocaine addiction treatment center, we use evidence-based medically supervised detoxification protocols to break the client’s physical dependence on cocaine. Once the client is no longer dealing with withdrawal symptoms, we start a cocaine rehab program for long-term recovery.
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+18442884672 Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal
Cocaine is a potent drug that can potentially change or destroy the brain structure. When taken in excess amounts, our brain starts becoming accustomed to the drug’s influence, which increases the release of chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. Withdrawal from the drug results in mental and physical symptoms that are just the opposite of what the drug induces. These symptoms can manifest as low moods, lack of energy, and depressive thoughts and typically appear within hours of detox, lasting up to a few days.
Physical Symptoms
- Restlessness
- Sleep disturbances (Lack of sleep)
- Tremors
- Muscle pain
- Increased appetite
- Intense cravings for cocaine
- Fatigue
Psychological Symptoms
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Suicidal thoughts
How Long Does It Take To Detox From Cocaine?
Every individual responds differently to the detox procedure, so the detox timeline varies from person to person. The duration of the detox treatment depends on factors such as the length of the addiction and the extent of drug abuse. The frequency of drug abuse is another determining factor for the detox timeline. While some individuals may need only 5-7 days to complete the procedure, this duration might extend to three weeks for others with an extreme case.
Detoxification should start 8-12 hours after the last dose of cocaine. You may experience fatigue, one of the first symptoms to surface after detox begins. As your body becomes dependent on the drug due to extended periods of use, the body conceals the physical symptoms of lethargy and restlessness. During detox, these same symptoms become manifest due to the withdrawal effects.
If an individual is able to ensure the first 5-7 days, they can begin to witness improvement in the coming days. Any symptoms that remain from the cocaine withdrawal gradually dissipate, but by the end of the first week, the individual should be able to function at an average level.
Factors That Influence Cocaine Withdrawal Timelines
Cocaine withdrawal does not have a definitive timeline, as no two individuals respond to the process the same way. While some individuals may need only a few days to start the recovery process, for others, the process can take longer to start.
The amount of cocaine used
Individuals who use substantial amounts of cocaine run a higher risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms with severe effects, such as psychosis, for prolonged periods.
The duration of use
Individuals who consume cocaine for more extended periods, typically several days or months, may sleep for 24-48 hours, a period known as ‘crash,’ during the acute withdrawal.
The overall duration of cocaine use
The length of time an individual has been using cocaine also matters. If they have used the drug for a long time, they have a higher chance of experiencing withdrawal symptoms for prolonged.
Polysubstance use
If an individual uses cocaine along with other similar substances, the withdrawal symptoms and their effects can be severe.
The form of cocaine used
This is a crucial factor as the form used can influence the type of withdrawal symptoms experienced by an individual. For instance, using crack cocaine is linked to a more rapid withdrawal than powdered cocaine.
What Are the Side Effects of Cocaine Addiction?
When cocaine is used in increasing amounts over time, it leads to cocaine addiction. The physical and psychological symptoms of cocaine use intensify along with some behavioral consequences. The intensity of the symptoms depends on factors like the size, weight, and overall health of the individuals who use this substance. It also depends on the frequency and the amount of cocaine use and if its use was compounded with other substances. Some of the side effects of cocaine addiction include behavioral health issues like strange and impulsive behavior, social and legal problems, dilated pupils, nose bleeds, gastrointestinal and respiratory issues, mental health issues, migraines, neurological issues like mini-strokes and seizures, oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease, and problems in interpersonal relationships.
Cocaine dependence/addiction can pose challenges in coping with everyday situations, impairing mental and physical faculties. Cocaine’s effects may be mild in the early period of use, but when the substance grows on the individual, functioning without it becomes next to impossible. Individuals who abuse cocaine regularly will slowly but surely increase the amount just to experience its intoxicating effects. Cocaine is more dangerous in larger doses and can even lead to death.
Are There Medications Available for Cocaine Detox?
There are no FDA-approved medications available that target the withdrawal symptoms of cocaine addiction. However, using a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and counseling can extend the necessary support for individuals fighting cocaine addiction. Family therapy or group therapy can also equip those living with cocaine addicts with the knowledge needed to cope with unpredictable situations. While there are some medicines like disulfiram (a medicine used to treat alcohol addiction) that show promise in treating cocaine addiction, there is no conclusive evidence of their effects on cocaine. Therefore, it is recommended to seek the assistance of healthcare providers for substance abuse treatment, who will guide you on how best to manage the withdrawal symptoms and prevent a relapse.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center in Washington
Discover Recovery, a top-rated cocaine addiction treatment center in Washington, offers medical detox to start with. Following inpatient cocaine detox, clients move toward a drug-free future by entering a residential rehab program. This can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Residential cocaine rehab programs provide intensive, individualized care and cover all facets of addiction treatment. Our cocaine addiction treatment center provides behavioral therapy and counseling, medication management, and a range of alternative and experiential therapies required for necessary interventions.
Cocaine addiction is a complex substance use disorder that requires professional treatment. It can have a serious impact on your mental and physical health and puts you at risk of untimely death from overdose. If you or a loved one needs cocaine rehab, call Discover Recovery’s cocaine addiction treatment center today to explore your treatment options and get help.
