Cocaine addiction is a devastating affliction that can trap you in a constant cycle of euphoria and despair. As the drug rewires your brain, it becomes more and more difficult to break free from its grip. The emotional, physical, and social toll affects your relationships, career, and health. Professional treatment can offer a lifeline, providing the support and medical expertise necessary to address the complexities of addiction and start you on the path toward recovery.
Cocaine Rehab: When It’s Time to Get Help
Key Points:
- Cocaine is a stimulant derived from coca plant leaves and is available as powder or crack.
- Cocaine rewires the brain, leading to severe emotional, physical, and social consequences, including cardiovascular issues and mental health problems.
- Symptoms of cocaine abuse include dilated pupils, increased energy, euphoria, paranoia, rapid heartbeat, decreased appetite, insomnia, and nasal issues.
- Withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, depression, increased appetite, sleep disturbances, irritability, cravings, anxiety, and physical discomfort.
- Professional treatment options, such as medical detox, therapy, and residential or outpatient programs, are crucial for overcoming cocaine addiction and achieving long-term recovery.
What Is Cocaine
Cocaine is a stimulant drug that comes from the leaves of the coca plant.[1] This plant is native to South America. Its medical use is largely limited to specific applications, like numbing tissues during certain types of surgery.
Cocaine is typically found in two main forms: powder cocaine and crack cocaine.
- Powder cocaine: This is a white powder that is usually snorted through the nose or dissolved in water and injected.
- Crack cocaine: This form is a solid, crystalline substance that is created by processing powder cocaine with baking soda and water. It is usually smoked, which leads to an intense, immediate high due to the rapid absorption into the bloodstream.
Both forms of cocaine are highly addictive and can have serious effects on your health, including cardiovascular problems, neurological damage, and mental health issues.
Cocaine Addiction and Abuse
Cocaine affects your brain’s dopamine system. It works by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, into the neurons. This leads to an accumulation of dopamine in your brain’s synapses, which prolongs the feeling of euphoria.
Cocaine is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States.[2] This designation is used for drugs that have a high potential for abuse and have no accepted medical use in any treatment process or have limited medical uses. Schedule II drugs can only be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider under strict regulations.
Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Abuse
Chemical dependency and substance use disorder come in many different shades of complexity. Many who are struggling with cocaine use are negatively affected by adverse reactions and symptoms. Chronic cocaine use can often be spotted by the many symptoms that are a consequence of frequent use. Here are some of those symptoms:[3]
- Dilated pupils: You may notice that your pupils become unusually large and unresponsive to changes in light. This is a common sign of cocaine use.
- Increased energy: You might experience an unusual burst of energy and heightened alertness. This can make you feel extremely active and talkative.
- Euphoria and elevated mood: If you are abusing cocaine, you might experience intense feelings of euphoria. This can make you feel overly confident and invincible.
- Paranoia and anxiety: You may find yourself feeling excessively paranoid or anxious. These feelings can be persistent and can affect your interactions with others.
- Rapid heartbeat: Cocaine use often leads to an increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure. You might feel your heart racing or notice other cardiovascular symptoms.
- Decreased appetite: You might experience a significant reduction in your appetite. This can lead to noticeable weight loss and a lack of interest in eating.
- Insomnia: Trouble sleeping can be a sign of cocaine abuse. You might find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep for extended periods during your use of the drug.
- Nasal problems: If you are using cocaine by snorting it, you may develop frequent nosebleeds, nasal congestion, and a persistently runny nose. Your nasal passages can become very irritated.
- Mood swings: You might exhibit extreme mood swings, ranging from intense happiness to severe irritability or even depression.
By taking advantage of appropriate interventions and participating in a substance abuse and mental health treatment program, you or your loved one can begin the recovery process in safety and confidence. Build a strong foundation for a safe and sober future as you receive ongoing support and reduce or eliminate alcohol and drug use from your life. Become your icon.
Cocaine Quick Reference Chart
Drug Category
Commercial & Street Names
DEA Schedule
Administration
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal from cocaine is very difficult but achievable. Professional help can provide the necessary support for a safe and effective recovery. Here are some of the common symptoms of cocaine withdrawal:[4]
Fatigue and lethargy
You may experience extreme tiredness and lack of energy, making it difficult to stay active or motivated throughout the day.
Sleep disturbances
Problems with sleep may arise. You could find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, or you might sleep much more than usual.
Anxiety
You could experience heightened feelings of anxiety or nervousness. This might manifest as restlessness or a sense of impending doom.
Depression
Feelings of depression might become more pronounced. You could feel hopeless, downhearted, or disinterested in activities you once enjoyed.
Irritability and mood swings
You may become easily irritated or experience frequent mood swings. These emotional changes can make it difficult for you to interact with others or maintain stable relationships.
Difficulty concentrating
You may need help focusing and concentrating, making it difficult to complete tasks or make decisions.
Increased appetite
You might notice a significant increase in your appetite. This can result in noticeable weight gain.
Cravings for cocaine
Intense cravings for cocaine are likely to occur. This makes it challenging to resist the urge to use the drug again.
Physical symptoms
You might experience physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, or nausea. These discomforts can add to your overall feeling of unwellness and make it difficult to continue on the path toward quitting the drug.
Is It Time To Get Help?
Is it time for a change? Are the negative impacts drug addiction is having on your health, relationships, and well-being becoming clearer and clearer? There are effective treatment options available to help you overcome your addiction.
The full range of cocaine addiction treatment offered at Ikon Recovery includes medication management services, group therapy, mental health services, family therapy and family sessions, individual therapy sessions, and coping skills to address and overcome addictive behavior. Cocaine dependence is a challenge that can be overcome with a holistic and therapeutic process to systematically break down harmful patterns and create new, healthy ones.
By seeking professional help from a treatment facility and working with an interdisciplinary treatment team, you can learn the skills and strategies needed to manage cravings, address underlying issues, and gradually build a cocaine-free life.
Our partial hospitalization programs and other intensive outpatient programs connect you with our drug abuse treatment team and a primary counselor or therapist. You will receive medication management services, holistic therapy interventions, and alternative solutions for healing and recovery. The process takes time and effort, but we will do it together. The time to reach out is now. Begin the recovery journey today.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cocaine Rehab
What detox and therapy treatment for cocaine addiction is beneficial?
Detoxifying from cocaine is the first step in overcoming addiction. Various treatments can help manage the withdrawal process and prepare you for long-term recovery. Here are some commonly used detox and early stimulant use disorder treatments:
- Medical detoxification: This involves supervised medical care where healthcare professionals monitor and manage your withdrawal symptoms.
- Behavioral therapy: Therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT, can help address the psychological aspects of your addiction. Therapy can assist in managing cravings, changing harmful thought patterns, and developing useful coping strategies.
- Medication management: Certain medications may be prescribed to manage your symptoms. These can include medications for anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances.
- Residential treatment programs: If you’re struggling with severe addiction, residential treatment may be best for you. These programs provide 24/7 care and a structured environment to support detox and recovery.
- Outpatient treatment programs: If you have a less severe addiction or have already completed a higher level of care, outpatient programs can offer flexibility while still providing essential support and therapy.
- Aftercare planning: Developing a plan for ongoing support and relapse prevention is essential. This might include continuing therapy, joining support groups, or engaging in recovery activities.
How addictive is cocaine?
Cocaine is highly addictive. Its potential for addiction is significant due to several factors:[5]
- Rapid onset of effects: Cocaine produces intense and immediate euphoria, which can create a strong psychological dependence. The drug rapidly crosses your blood-brain barrier, leading to a quick and powerful high that reinforces continued use.
- Short duration of effects: The euphoric effects of cocaine are short-lived, often lasting only a few minutes to an hour. This brevity can lead to frequent use, as you may use more of the drug to prolong or recreate the initial high.
- Craving and compulsive use: The intense pleasure and reward associated with cocaine use can lead to strong cravings. These cravings can become overwhelming.
- Changes in brain chemistry: Cocaine affects the brain’s reward system by increasing dopamine levels. Repeated use can lead to changes in your brain chemistry.
- Tolerance development: With continued use, you might develop a tolerance to cocaine. This means you require larger amounts to achieve the same effect. This can escalate the risk of addiction as usage patterns become more frequent and intense.
Does insurance cover cocaine rehab?
Many health insurance plans cover addiction treatment, including cocaine rehab. The extent of coverage, however, can differ based on your plan. Ikon Recovery is a leading provider and one of the premier cocaine addiction treatment centers in the region. We work with many major insurance providers to help those physically dependent on cocaine or other drugs. Typically, healthcare plans may cover various aspects of treatment, such as detoxification, inpatient rehab, outpatient programs, and therapy.
Sources
[1] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024, April 4). Cocaine. National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cocaine
[2]Drug scheduling. DEA. (n.d.). https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
[3]Bravo, R. R., Faria, A. C., Brito-Da-Costa, A. M., Carmo, H., Mladěnka, P., Da Silva, D. D., Remião, F., & Researchers, O. B. O. O. (2022). Cocaine: An Updated Overview on Chemistry, Detection, Biokinetics, and Pharmacotoxicological Aspects including Abuse Pattern. Toxins, 14(4), 278. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14040278
[4]U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.-a). Cocaine withdrawal: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000947.htm
[5]Nestler, E. J. (2005, December). The Neurobiology of Cocaine Addiction. Science & practice perspectives. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851032/