Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Cocaine is one of the most addictive illicit substances available, producing strong psychoactive effects in those who abuse it. It can have a damaging effect on a person’s mental health in cases of long-term abuse.

This is because the drug creates chemical changes in the brain that lead to hormone irregularities. This causes the levels of dopamine in your body to fluctuate.

Over time, your body adjusts to the raised levels of dopamine caused by cocaine intake, until they dip low as the drug wears off. The body then starts to give warning signs or present withdrawal symptoms such as feeling low/depression, or panic attacks/anxiety when cocaine isn’t present in the bloodstream, as it can no longer function without it.

Cocaine addiction is very difficult to overcome without professional help, as trying to detox from it can result in incredibly strong physical urges for the drug, to the point of compulsion.

Many users in withdrawal experience tremors and shakes, as well as headaches and nausea. It is very easy to build up a tolerance to cocaine because of the large amounts needed to achieve a long-lasting ‘high’.

What are the signs of cocaine addiction?

Cocaine is considered one of the most addictive substances. Developing a cocaine addiction can have devastating effects on an individual and those around them. Whilst signs and symptoms of a cocaine addiction differ between individual’s, some of the common ones to look out for include;

-Paranoia

-Mood swings

-Depression

-Dilated pupils

What Kinds of Treatment Can I Have For Cocaine Addiction?

The following treatments are believed to be effective in treating cocaine addiction:

Speech/talking therapy:

• This can be done on a 1:1 basis, in a group with fellow patients at a rehab centre, or with family and friends. Speech therapy is a great way for a patient to experience catharsis and release any difficult feelings or emotions they have been harbouring that they may have had trouble dealing with as a result of their addiction.
• This type of treatment helps patients come to terms with their addiction, while helping them to understand the reasons why they have become addicted to cocaine. Speech therapy is good for sharing experiences and for boosting morale, and is well-known to increase success rates in achieving sobriety.

Couples’ therapy: If you use cocaine and you are living with a partner or spouse who doesn’t, it can also be a challenging time for them. Couples’ therapy is a great way for the patient and their loved one to talk about their feelings and share their experiences on how cocaine addiction has changed their lives.

Many rehab facilities offer this service as an opportunity for a spouse or partner to air their views and release stress. It is also seen as a successful way for a patient to become motivated so that they want to succeed in treatment.

Incentives: If you are undertaking cocaine treatment on an out-patient basis, your rehab centre may choose to give you positive incentives or rewards such as vouchers for remaining on track with your treatment and staying clean.

Medication and detox: In severe cases that require rehab, sleeping aids or other medications may be administered to help ease the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. Antabuse disulfiram may be prescribed if you are addicted to cocaine and alcohol.

Support groups: Many people who are addicted to illicit substances find support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous helpful in fighting their addiction. Such organisations work using 12-Step principles that were originally implemented by Alcoholics Anonymous.

These principles are designed to help addicts change their mindset about their relationship with drugs, and harness mindfulness and spirituality to motivate and encourage sober and clean living.

Rehab Treatment For Cocaine Addiction

If your cocaine addiction is severe and you are suffering withdrawal symptoms when you do not take the drug, it is time to consider residential cocaine rehab for treatment. It can be scary and you may feel apprehensive at the thought of seeking help, but cocaine addiction is treatable and many people make a successful recovery to a clean life.

When you undertake a rehab programme on an in-patient basis, you will receive round-the-clock care and will be given your own room and facilities to use. Staff at your chosen rehab centre will ensure you are safe and healthy if you undertake a detox programme, monitoring your condition at all times while you detox from cocaine.

Many rehab clinics also offer calming therapies to promote relaxation and mindfulness during your treatment, such as sports therapy, art therapy, yoga, gym work and martial arts. The therapies offered to you will vary from centre to centre, but this is something worth considering if you are interested in pursuing a more holistic way of treating your addiction.

Withdrawal symptoms from cocaine addiction

When your body has become addicted to Cocaine and you begin to detox your self from it, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as

-fatigue

-insomnia

-nausea

-headaches

-tremors.

This is perfectly normal and should typically subside within 7 days. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms will vary and depend on the severity of the cocaine addiction.

Any prescriptions given to you will be administered by a medical professional, and you will be closely monitored throughout your stay.

What Happens After My Cocaine Addiction Treatment?

As cocaine has a strong psychological effect on a user’s brain, it takes more than just a detox to recover from addiction to it. After a detox in rehab, you will be offered a more long-term bespoke therapy programme that will cater to your needs. Therapies come in the form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), individual counselling, group counselling, workshops and mindfulness activities.

After this has been completed and you and your therapist are satisfied with your progress, you will be able to return home, but will be given a relapse prevention plan to ensure that you stay on track in your recovery.

This may mean attending local meetings with your nearest Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery group. As with all drug addiction treatment, it is important to stay determined with your treatment, which will only be aided by the help and support of those around you.

If you would like help in finding cocaine addiction treatment in your area, we can help through our rehab referral service at Action Rehab.
Our addiction specialists will discuss your addiction with you in complete confidence before investigating your treatment options. Together, we can help you live a life that’s free from cocaine abuse.