Do you suspect a friend or loved one of drug addiction? Are you concerned that someone you know is caught in the throes of cocaine abuse? Hope and healing are possible, and there is much you can do to urge your loved one to seek treatment. First, however, it is important to understand what you are dealing with—to look for some of the telltale signs of cocaine addiction and common side effects.
Cocaine usually has a marked and immediate impact on the mood of the drug user. Someone may excuse himself or herself, disappear somewhere to use the drug, and then return in a much different mood—much more energetic, excited or confident. That’s the primary hallmark of cocaine abuse.
Health Side Effects & Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Yet there are some other significant ways in which cocaine can impact the user—physically as well as psychologically. Some of the main signs of cocaine abuse include:
Palpitations
Dilated Pupils
Euphoria
Aggression
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Note some other physical symptoms, which can vary by the cocaine delivery method: Those who snort cocaine may have running or even bleeding noses. Those who inject will have track marks on their skin, while those who smoke cocaine may have burned lips or fingers.
Some other, less visibly evident signs of cocaine addiction include:
- Enlarged heart
- Heart attack
- Cardiac arrest
- Intense cravings
- Exhaustion
- Excessive sleeping
If you notice any of these signs and symptoms in your loved one, it is imperative to express your concern—without judgement or accusation—and to encourage your loved one to seek treatment immediately.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
Cocaine is highly addictive, which creates intense physical and psychological cravings. What this means is that quitting cocaine “cold turkey” can result in some serious withdrawal symptoms. Some of the more major ones include:
Strong cravings
Fatigue
Anxiety
Agitation
An inability to experience pleasure
Depression
Restlessness
Suicidal thoughts
Because of the severity of these symptoms, home detox is not recommended; instead, those who are addicted to cocaine should seek clinically supervised detox from a facility like New Start Recovery, where safety and efficacy can be ensured.
How to Help with Cocaine Addiction
But what if you do believe that your loved one is suffering from cocaine addiction? What can you do to help?
The first thing is to remember that you cannot change your loved one; all you can do is offer your encouragement and support. Let them know that you are worried. Avoid accusing them, but do suggest that they seek clinical assistance, and offer to walk with them through the process.
If your loved one does agree to seek treatment, help locate a reputable clinical detox facility in your area. From there, an inpatient rehabilitation program can be sought.
Intervention for Cocaine Addiction
No matter how deep or how bleak cocaine addiction may seem, recovery is possible. It cannot be achieved all alone, though. The critical first step is to admit the problem, and then seek professional assistance.
Start with detox. Clinical detox will rid the body and mind of cocaine’s effects, and provide a foundation for lasting recovery.
From there, you can look into inpatient or outpatient programs that will provide tools for lasting sobriety and lifelong recovery.
The process begins with a call to New Start Recovery. Contact us to get more information about the cocaine detox process today.