Until the 1990s, the media and a long list of celebrities, financial business leaders, and socialites glamorized cocaine. However, the truth about cocaine and the toll it takes on your body is far darker than the glitzy (and false) Manhattan nightclub image it once enjoyed.
Despite the fact that we know the dangers of cocaine, about 14% of American adults have used cocaine in their lifetime, and many continue to use it on a frequent basis. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly one in four people who use cocaine will become addicted to it. Furthermore, about 13% of rehab-treated adults are in programs for cocaine addiction treatment.
Do you need more information about drug and alcohol rehab? Call us today at 866.957.7885.
Cocaine is a powerful and addictive central nervous system stimulant. Its effects can be felt almost immediately after taking a single dose, and include feelings of euphoria, increased alertness, and improved focus. However, these pleasant effects are short-lived, and users quickly develop a tolerance to the drug, requiring larger and larger doses to achieve the same high.
In fact, cocaine is one of the most detrimental drugs that people abuse today due to its physical effects on both individuals with addiction and those just dabbling in recreational use. The wide-reaching harm cocaine inflicts on the body is just one reason why cocaine addiction treatment is so important for individuals struggling with addiction to this drug.
Cocaine reaches the brain immediately upon use. Its effects are drastic, for both the short and long term.
Cocaine use results in various immediate effects upon initial use:
Cocaine interferes with nerves and important chemicals of the brain like dopamine and serotonin. Many users become irritable, paranoid, anxious, panicked, and restless.
The odds of an ischemic stroke will increased greatly within the first 24 hours of using cocaine. This silent killer can occur at any time after an individual uses cocaine.
Arrhythmia, ulcers, abdominal pain, nausea, sexual dysfunction and headaches are some of the long-term effects of using cocaine. Users also frequently experience kidney damage. When users snort this white, powdery substance, it can irritate the nasal septum, which causes nosebleeds and a hoarse throat. Injecting the drug can collapse veins, cause allergic reactions and leave telltale puncture marks.
Smoking cocaine, which is referred to as "crack," can lead to lung damage and bronchitis. Regular users often lose their sense of smell, and some develop a persistent runny nose. People with a cocaine habit also frequently suffer from insomnia and weight loss. Depression is another common side effect, and it can last for months after a person stops using the drug.
Some people who use cocaine develop a psychotic state characterized by paranoia, delusions and auditory hallucinations. This condition can last for weeks or even months after a person stops using the drug. Chronic users of cocaine often have difficulty concentrating and may suffer from memory problems.
Cocaine addiction treatment provides therapies specifically for the unique needs of individuals with cocaine addictions. This customization is necessary because most people who use cocaine also use one or more other drugs, according to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse. They also frequently drink alcohol in conjunction with their use. This is called polysubstance abuse. Professional treatment is crucial for individuals who suffer from addictions to more than one substance.
Specialized cocaine addiction treatment usually focuses on comprehensive treatment strategies for the neurobiological, medical, and social needs of the patient. This is due to the drug's biological, social, familial, and environmental effects on users. Multi-drug addictions also add the need for greater cocaine addiction program specialization to include varied behavioral and pharmacological elements.
People who suffer from cocaine addictions turn to the drug for its endorphin rush, causing enhanced feelings of self-worth and happiness. Over time, natural endorphin influencers like relationships, intimacy with others, and food no longer hold any value to the user. With cocaine replacing these natural things that make people thrive in society, users fall into legal and financial trouble trying to maintain what they perceive as pleasure in their lives. That is if cocaine doesn't result in death first.
San Antonio Recovery Center provides an affordable yet specialized cocaine addiction program designed to treat the entire person, not just one area of your needs. Accurate assessment and diagnosis, a supportive therapeutic environment, and advanced treatment programs combine within San Antonio's facilities to provide safety and comfort for overcoming cocaine addiction.
All aspects of the individual are treated, including medical, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Families are encouraged to participate in each guest's recovery. Other addiction rehab programs San Antonio Recovery Center offers include:
Because of the dangers of cocaine use, don't wait to start the cocaine rehab treatment you so desperately need. If you or your loved one are suffering from cocaine addiction, call San Antonio Recovery Center now at 866.957.7885 to learn more about how our cocaine addiction treatment programs can help restore health, hope, and overall wellness for users and families.
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