Cocaine works to stimulate the brain and body, causing feelings of a “rush” during use. Other drugs can also produce this feeling, which may contribute to their use before, after, or during cocaine addiction. Finding treatment for cocaine addiction or reliance on other stimulants begins with learning as much about the problem as possible and why it can devastate lives.
What Is Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine addiction occurs when regular use of cocaine leads to the brain and body becoming dependent on the substance. Because cocaine is illegal, sellers may cut the drug with other stimulants, such as caffeine or amphetamines. On the other hand, some opioid-type drugs such as fentanyl may also appear in powdered cocaine to boost the high, though these drugs are technically not stimulants.
Therefore, some people may have unusual reactions to cocaine or experience different side effects than others when addicted to this substance. Over time, regular use of cocaine causes changes in the brain. When the mind and body both need this drug to feel better, the individual has a dependency, which often indicates addiction. Physical and mental effects of cocaine addiction may include:
- Anxiety, panic, or paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Depression
- Rapid heart rate
- Abdominal pain or nausea
- Chest pains or heart problems
In addition to the above, cocaine addiction may even cause severe medical complications such as stroke, heart attack, seizures, hepatitis, respiratory problems, or a reduction in immune function.
How Does Cocaine Use Lead to Addiction?
Cocaine and other stimulants produce feelings of euphoria by blocking cells from taking in neurotransmitters. These free neurotransmitters trigger the nearby cells. Therefore, the individual taking the drug typically feels euphoric during the high and a reduced need to eat or sleep.
However, these feelings don’t last forever. Plus, some people may develop a tolerance to cocaine or other stimulants. If this happens, they need to take stronger drugs or higher amounts to get the same high feeling. Those addicted to other stimulants, such as amphetamines, may try cocaine to get the high they miss due to building a tolerance to the other stimulant.
Sadly, a tolerance to stimulants such as cocaine can lead to a potentially fatal overdose in the quest for trying to get enough to feel high. However, getting treatment for cocaine addiction before this happens may prevent this complication of drug addiction.
Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction
Drug addiction often requires a team to help the individual move past the physical and mental issues surrounding recovery. However, such help is readily available. In fact, many people who have drug addiction successfully heal through these recovery programs.
The center attended will have a range of care options. While many people start with detox, some do not. Cocaine detox, though, is not the most important part of overcoming an addiction to this drug. The therapy and treatment that follow play bigger roles in recovery than the initial detoxification phase.
For those who choose Clearhaven Recovery, our substance abuse treatment program includes multiple levels of care to address participants’ needs. Our facility provides the following care types in our addiction treatment programs:
- Partial hospitalization program
- Day or night intensive outpatient program
- Men’s rehab program
- Women’s drug addiction recovery program
Alongside these treatments, we have many types of therapy programs such as family and group therapy and physical activities, including yoga and meditation. We want to help every participant find their way to a healthy life without addiction or substance use.
Reach Out to Clearhaven Recovery to Learn More About Overcoming Cocaine Addiction
Stopping cocaine addiction or quitting other stimulant drugs often is not something that an individual can accomplish without getting psychological and physical support from a rehab center. For more information about our treatment options or our mission of helping participants toward recovery at our center near Boston, contact one of our specialists online or phone us at 833.970.2054. We have a team waiting to help you turn your life away from cocaine addiction.
