Cocaine is an extremely addictive substance that causes short bursts of energy and intense pleasure. People who use cocaine often need to take more of the drug over time to experience the same effects as when they started using.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), cocaine increases levels of the natural chemical messenger dopamine in brain circuits related to the control of movement and reward. Cocaine prevents dopamine from being recycled, causing large amounts to build up in the space between nerve cells, cutting off typical communication. When it is eventually released, the flood of dopamine in the brain’s reward circuit strongly reinforces drug-taking behaviors.
Though cocaine addiction is incredibly dangerous, it is also treatable. Southstone Recovery Center provides outpatient treatment for women age 18 and older whose struggles with cocaine are holding them back in their day-to-day lives.
Signs & Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction
Though everyone’s experience with using cocaine is different, there are some common signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction, which is clinically known as cocaine use disorder.
Common cocaine addiction signs and symptoms include:
- Rapid and excessive speech
- Sudden bursts of hyperactivity
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Enlarged pupils
- Restlessness or irritability
- Cough that doesn’t go away
- Shakiness or muscle twitching
- Frequent runny nose or nosebleeds
- Irrational or extreme distrust of others
- Tendency for aggressive, violent outbursts
- Extreme, sudden weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Decreased need for sleep
If you’ve displayed any of these signs or symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help at a qualified cocaine addiction treatment center as soon as possible.
Cocaine Addiction Statistics
The following statistics about the prevalence of cocaine use and cocaine addiction in the United States are courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):
- One in 5 overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2019 were the result of cocaine use.
- More than 5 million Americans, or nearly 2% of the population, reported cocaine use in 2020.
- In 2020, 19,447 people died from an overdose involving cocaine — up considerably from the nearly 16,000 deaths in 2019.
- That same year, among people age 12 and older, 0.5% — about 1.3 million people — were diagnosed with cocaine use disorder.
Possible Effects of Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction can lead to an alarming number of consequences in a person’s life. Depending on your medical history, volume of cocaine use, and unique experiences, the effects of untreated cocaine addiction can include:
- Respiratory problems
- Scarred or collapsed veins
- Kidney and liver damage
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack or stroke
- Development of movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease
- Loss of sense of smell
- HIV or hepatitis C infection
- Arrest or incarceration
- Financial difficulties
- Chronic unemployment or job loss
- Strained or ruined relationships with loved ones
- Suicidal ideation
The first step in avoiding these devastating effects is to seek help at a cocaine addiction treatment place you can trust. The expert team at Southstone Recovery Center can help you get on the road to better health.
The Benefits of Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Cocaine addiction can be overwhelming. It can leave you feeling desperate and alone, like there are no reasonable answers left.
But there is a clear path forward if you choose a cocaine addiction treatment center like Southstone Recovery Center. You can work with qualified professionals who can help you understand your diagnosis, develop the skills you need to stay sober, and regain long-term control of your life and your health.
Other benefits include:
- Becoming aware of your triggers to help avoid relapse
- Working with others who are experiencing similar struggles
- Having a safe, supportive space so that you can open up and fully engage in treatment
Perhaps the biggest benefit of receiving help at a cocaine addiction treatment place is simply taking the step of pursuing help. That means that you haven’t let another day go by where you’re left feeling isolated and without hope.
Therapies Used in Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Each woman who comes to Southstone Recovery Center for cocaine addiction treatment follows a personalized treatment plan that reflects her needs, strengths, and goals. Even though these plans have many unique services, they often include common elements such as:
- Medication management services
- Group therapy
- Experiential therapies
- Individual therapy
- Basic medical care
- Family therapy
You will spend a majority of your time in treatment participating in group therapy. Depending on your experiences, your groups may cover a wide variety of topics, including:
- The basics of relapse prevention
- Planning for sobriety
- Addiction and loss
- Effects of substance use on mental health
- Triggers, cravings, and avoiding relapse
Cocaine addiction treatment at our facility may also incorporate elements of motivational interviewing, recreational therapy, 12-Step programming, DBT-informed therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Choosing the Right Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center
Deciding to get help for a cocaine addiction is a significant choice in your life. It’s something that can make the difference between long-term recovery and a continued spiral toward destructive choices.
It isn’t always easy to find the right cocaine addiction treatment place, so it’s important to know what to look for. Questions you may want to ask include:
- Does this treatment center offer the level of care I need?
- Will I be given a personalized treatment plan, or does this facility take more of a one-size-fits-all approach?
- What type of professionals can I expect to deliver my care?
- What will my days in treatment look like? Are there a wide variety of evidence-based treatment options at my disposal?
- What happens after discharge? Will I feel prepared with an aftercare plan that can help me build on my progress?
Cocaine addiction is a difficult diagnosis. But seeking outpatient treatment at Southstone Recovery Center can help you set the stage for lasting recovery.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Southstone Recovery Center.