One of the oldest drugs in the world, cocaine is also a leading source of dangerous, even life-threatening, addiction. Indeed, cocaine addiction can cause extreme physical and psychological symptoms. The use of this highly addictive stimulant causes countless overdoses and emergency room visits every single year.
The good news is that cocaine addiction does not have to be terminal. There is hope for healing and recovery, whether for you or your addicted loved one. The first step is to understand what you are up against—how cocaine addiction works. Here at New Start Recovery, our cocaine addiction treatment center can take individuals from detox through treatment to aftercare, helping them make a lasting recovery.
Understanding Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction is a psychological or physical dependence that arises from the user’s strong desire or need to use cocaine. Though snorting cocaine is the most common method, some users inject it—an especially dangerous practice. Cocaine can also be smoked. Typically this method of use involves crack cocaine, a more concentrated form of the drug. The method of cocaine delivery determines how long its effects last—anywhere from five minutes to half an hour or more.
Cocaine is a stimulant and may give the user an intense high; a cocaine addict may seem more excited, alert, or confident than normal. Yet, the physical and psychological side effects far outweigh this sense of high. They include:
- Nosebleeds
- Fast heart rate
- Enlarged heart
- Heart attacks
- Cardiac arrest
- Unusual aggression
- Extreme excitement
- Overconfidence
- Paranoia
- Exhaustion
- Apathy
Some Causes of Cocaine Addiction
- Genetics
- Brain chemistry
- Brain structure
- Effects of the drug on the brain’s pleasure centers
Find the Cocaine Addiction Treatment Program You Need at New Start Recovery
Indeed, no case of cocaine addiction is beyond the scope of recovery, no matter how extreme. The important thing is to pursue addiction recovery in a clinical setting.
This begins with clinically supervised cocaine detox. You must detox before recovery can begin, yet it is not advisable to attempt a home recovery. The withdrawal symptoms are simply too potent to manage on your own. Instead, seek professional detox and care from a facility like New Start Recovery.
It is imperative to locate a good inpatient treatment program and engage in aftercare support groups long after the initial program is completed. Start your recovery process today. Give us a call here at New Start Recovery at [Direct], and we can walk you through the next steps toward recovery.