Did you know that in the United States, children as young as 12 have been caught using cocaine? The 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health done in America reported that “there were 1.5 million current cocaine users aged 12 or older, comprising 0.6 percent of the population.” Cocaine is an extremely addictive and potent drug, which works similarly to nicotine by stimulating the brain. Cocaine users will experience almost instantaneous feelings of pleasure every time they use the drug but once these effects diminish, it creates a need to use it more and more.
It makes people feel more comfortable, confident and aware of the things around them. It’s usually these side-effects that make the drug so popular and highly addictive. The effects of cocaine do not last very long and those who use them will often look to continue using it in order to avoid the horrible feelings that are experienced when the drug wears off. These terrible feelings include depression, anxiety and fatigue and may even cause the user to sleep for extended periods of time. The powerful effects of cocaine cause people to become addicted to the drug quickly and easily. Once this happens, overcoming it is almost a near impossible task without the right help. That’s why in this article, we’ll tell you what you need to know about cocaine addiction and what can be done for those who are suffering from this illness.
Distinguishing a Cocaine Addict
Anyone can become a cocaine addict, young or old, employed or unemployed, if you use the drug, the higher are your chances of becoming a coke addict.
Cocaine Addiction Signs
When someone becomes addicted to cocaine, the drug will begin to take over their every thought and action. If you or a loved one feels that in order to feel good, cocaine must be used, then it’s clear that there is a problem at hand. Other signs include:
- Failing to complete daily responsibilities such as going to work or college in order to create more time to obtain and use the drug
- Getting into financial problems or pawning personal items in order to fund cocaine use
- Resorting to stealing money and other valuable item to buy the drug is another big warning sign of a cocaine addiction.
Cocaine Psychosis
This is probably the worst consequence of cocaine addiction. Cocaine psychosis refers to extreme cravings, obsession, agitation, moodiness, weight loss and in some cases, violence. This happens when the dopamine – A chemical messenger in the brain and nervous system responsible for feelings of reward – rises unnaturally due to continuous use of cocaine. Cocaine psychosis usually occurs to people who have used the drug for several years but this does not mean that using the drug for a short period of time is OK!
Cocaine Addiction Help
If you think that you or a loved one could be addicted to cocaine, then it’s important to seek professional help immediately. The best and safest way to treat cocaine addiction is by getting treatment inside a drug rehabilitation centre. In treatment, patients will go through a medical detoxification – which helps minimise any cravings for cocaine and removes the harmful toxins of the drug out of the body. Once the detox has been completed, patients will be required to engage in various counselling and therapy methods, which include individual counselling and group therapy meetings.
These are highly effective in educating the cocaine addict about their addiction and how they can avoid using the drug in the future. It also gives the patient an opportunity to engage with people in a similar position as themselves. The length of treatment is usually determined by the nature and severity of the cocaine addiction; however patients are required to remain in treatment for at least 4 weeks. Once the stay in drug rehab has been completed, treatment shouldn’t stop there. It’s been found that the chances of suffering a relapse is at its highest immediately after inpatient treatment. That’s where secondary care comes in, which either can be done through outpatient treatment or a stay in a halfway house. Both forms of secondary care serve as a continuation of what was taught in rehab, just in further detail.
In outpatient treatment, patients will be able to stay at home and do their daily responsibilities while attending regular meetings at the rehab centre in the evenings, while halfway houses give patients who are not quite ready for the outside world a chance to safely reintegrate back into society. Tertiary care is also available for those looking to continue their treatment over a long term period of time and has proved to be highly effective in achieving sobriety and a clean and sober lifestyle.
For access to all of this, we provide entry into the best private drug rehabilitation centres in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Thailand. Call us now and let one of our qualified and friendly addiction counsellors assist in finding the right treatment for you or your loved one!