Cocaine is a controlled substance that quickly becomes addictive and harmful to both your physical and mental health. Seeking to break the hold that cocaine has over your health and your life is a courageous step forward. From understanding triggers to seeking professional help, we’ll explore the path to lasting recovery.
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ToggleUnderstand the Effects of Cocaine
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant. It’s classified as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its accepted medical use (as a local anesthetic for certain surgeries) but also its high risk for abuse.
Cocaine’s addictive nature stems from its impact on the brain. When you use cocaine, it increases your dopamine levels by attaching to dopamine transporters, altering communication between nerve cells. Dopamine affects movement, thoughts, pleasure, and motivation. Excess dopamine leads to feelings of euphoria and a desire to continue using cocaine. This use is dangerous and produce both short and long-term effects, including:
Mood Swings
Cocaine causes a brief, intense euphoria (high) immediately after use. This is often followed by intense depression, irritability, and a strong craving for more cocaine.
Physical Effects
Cocaine causes physical harm, such as constricted blood vessels, muscle spasms and increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. These effects can build up and lead to long-lasting health struggles.
Behavioral Changes
Those who use cocaine may exhibit bizarre, erratic, or violent behavior due to the drug’s impact on the brain
Dependency
- Cocaine is highly addictive, leading to dependence and compulsive use.
- Heart Damage: Due to the damage cocaine causes to blood vessels and the heart, those who use this drug have an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Organ Damage
Prolonged use of this drug can harm many vital organs, such as the liver, lung, heart, and kidneys.
Malnutrition
Since cocaine suppresses appetites, those who use the drug may neglect to eat balanced meals. Over time, this leads to malnutrition.
Personality Changes
The aforementioned behavioral changes caused by cocaine use can affect one’s personality as well. A lack of empathy, aggressive behavior and memory loss can change how the user is perceived, both by themselves and others.
When Does Cocaine Use Become an Addiction?
Cocaine addictions develop relatively quickly, many times within just a month from first use. When you are addicted to cocaine, you may begin to use it with methods that produce a more intense effect – such as smoking or injecting the drug instead of snorting it. Cocaine is highly addictive due to its impact on brain chemistry. After the first time you use it, you can rapidly progress to repeated use and addiction. It only takes one dose of cocaine for a high risk of life-threatening consequences. Repetitive use can lead to severe physical, psychological, and behavioral problems.
Can Cocaine Detox at Home Be Dangerous?
Attempting to kick your cocaine habit “cold turkey” on your own can be extremely dangerous. It’s recommended to seek professional help when overcoming an addiction to ensure you receive safe and effective care. Those who attempt detoxing at home should be aware of the risks involved, such as:
Withdrawal Symptoms
Cocaine withdrawal can lead to uncomfortable physical and behavioral symptoms, including fever, sleepiness, severe cravings, depression, anxiety, and aggression.
Lack of Professional Supervision
Detoxing at home lacks the safety net provided by medical professionals and addiction specialists.
High Relapse Probability
At-home detox increases the likelihood of relapse, which can further endanger your well-being.
Which Treatment Options Are Available for Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine addiction treatment involves several approaches to support recovery. Here are the primary options:
- Detoxification: Regardless of the program you chose, the initial step for treating cocaine addiction is detoxification, which helps manage withdrawal symptoms. Detox can take place in an outpatient or inpatient setting.
- Behavioral Therapies: Behavioral therapies, such as Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Contingency Management, and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)can help those who are struggling with addiction to detox and find ways to manage their condition while treating their mental health.
- Medications: While no specific medication targets cocaine addiction directly, some antidepressants may help reduce cravings and improve mood.
- Support Groups and Counseling: Individual, group, and family therapy can help those struggling with cocaine addiction to share their feelings, gain peer support, and rebuild damaged relationships with their loved ones.
- Holistic Approaches: Holistic approaches to help quit cocaine use include therapies and activities that target one’s entire body, treating a person as a whole instead of one symptom. These approaches can include exercise, hypnosis, acupuncture, and dual diagnosis programs.
How Can I Manage Cravings and Triggers for Cocaine?
Overcoming cocaine cravings and managing triggers are essential steps in addiction recovery. Below are some effective strategies:
Identify your Triggers
Keep a journal to track situations, emotions, and thoughts associated with cravings. This can help you recognize patterns and high-risk situations that lead to urges.
Challenge your Thoughts
Reframe persuasive thoughts like “I deserve this” or “Just one won’t hurt.” Replace them with realistic, recovery-focused beliefs.
Practice Mindfulness
Engage in deep breathing, meditation, or sensory grounding techniques.This can help you stay present and anchor yourself in the moment.
Seek Support
Join your peers in recovery support groups or online communities. Building a strong social network can reinforce your commitment to sober living.
Remember cravings are Temporary
Cravings typically last 10 to 15 minutes. Resist engaging with them; they will subside.
Quitting Cocaine With Help From Agape Detox Center
Seeking freedom from cocaine addiction is a brave decision, and Agape Detox Center offers a supportive path to recovery. Our cocaine detox program in Port St. Lucie, Florida, gives clients medication-assisted treatment to ease withdrawal symptoms, ensuring a safer detox experience. With 24-hour care, emotional counseling, and a quick admission process, Agape Detox Center is dedicated to helping individuals start their journey toward a healthier, cocaine-free life. Contact us today to begin a life free from cocaine addiction.
Stephanie Robilio is an accomplished Clinical Director at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. With a Master of Social Work degree, LCSW license, and extensive training in Rapid Resolution Therapy under her belt, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her unique combination of education and experience allows her to provide exceptional care to clients and lead her team with confidence. Stephanie’s joy comes from witnessing the moments when her patients creatively connect the dots and bravely move toward reclaiming their power. Her purpose is to help individuals understand their past so they can create a future full of hope, growth, and success. Stephanie attributes a large portion of her success to the supportive culture and strong sense of community fostered by the Agape team.