Cocaine Addiction Treatment

What Is Cocaine?

Pure cocaine is a white, flakey substance derived from South American coca plants. The U.S. medical community first began to use the drug as a local anesthetic in the 1880s and eventually as a treatment for depressive disorders. People began to use the drug as a “feel good” stimulant by the 1960s. However, there were some serious and long-term side effects, such as addiction, heart attacks, seizures, and strokes. The high risk of abuse and potential health consequences made cocaine a Schedule 2 drug under the Controlled Substances Act was recognized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in 1970. Possession of cocaine is a crime because it is a Schedule 2 drug.

These are some of the common street names/nicknames used for cocaine:

• Coca-Cola
• Blow
• Schnee
• Flake
• Nose candy
• White dust
• C
• Powder

What Are The Ways To Use Cocaine?

There are three types of cocaine: cocaine hydrochloride, cocaine freebase and cocaine crack. These forms include cocaine hydrochloride (white powder that has been mixed with or cut with other substances), cocaine hydrochloride (white powder with crystalline structure), and cocaine freebase. The freebase form is pure cocaine and does not contain the hydrochloride additive. Hydrochloride powder is usually inhaled or snorted by the nose. However, it can also be rubbed on your gums and swallowed. Crack cocaine and freebase are often smoked.

What Is the Difference Between Crack Cocaine and Cocaine?

Crack cocaine, also known as crack, is created when it’s processed into yellow- or pale pink-colored rock crystals. Crack cocaine is a cheaper option to powder cocaine. It vaporizes at smoking temperatures. The substance is known as crack because it makes a crackling sound when heated. Smoking crack is done in a pipe or by adding marijuana or tobacco to it. Then, you smoke it like a cigarette. According to the Manual of Substance Abuse Treatment, crack is the most addictive and potent form of cocaine. The high is intense and quick. The long-term effects of the high can prove fatal.

What Are The Physical and Behavioral Effects of Cocaine?

Every person’s reaction to cocaine use will be different. Some of the most common side effects include dizziness, sweating, fast breathing, heart rhythm changes, rapid breathing, feeling hot or cold, nausea, dizziness, and muscle weakness. Some people report feeling more alert, talkative, energetic and talkative while high on cocaine. Others feel anxious and on the edge. The high lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. The high usually fades and a crash follows. A person may feel depressed, suicidal or paranoid, or even psychotic during this period. They might also crave more drug. After prolonged use, people can become more sensitive to the effects of the drug and may “binge,” which is when they take more of it to maintain the high for hours or days. This is addiction in its worst form.

Is Cocaine Addictive?

Yes. Cocaine is a serotonin/norepinephrine/dopamine reuptake inhibitor, which means the substance helps to release “feel-good” chemicals in the brain. The brain’s receptors can become more sensitive to the dopamine-induced rush that cocaine produces over time. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that repeated cocaine use can lead to long-term brain changes and brain systems. This could lead to addiction. The drug eventually causes the reward circuit to adapt to the increased dopamine and becomes less sensitive. To feel the same high as before, people will take higher doses and longer durations of dopamine to get relief from withdrawal.

What Are The Most Common Signs Of A Cocaine Addiction Or Abuse?

Drug paraphernalia–needles, pipes, spoons, small plastic bags and razor blades–can be indications of cocaine use. Other signs include white residue on flat surfaces like magazines, books, mirrors or hand-held mirrors that are rolled up with dollar bills. You can also see:

• “Sugar spots” refers to a white powdery residue that forms around the nose.
• Dilated pupils are sensitive to light (it is not unusual for someone using cocaine to wear sunglasses when it is not sunny).
• Watery or bloodshot eyes
• Hands, feet, forearms, legs, and/or feet with needle marks
• Rapid breathing
• Frequent sniffling or a constant runny nose
• Chronic nosebleeds
• Nose sores
• Sore throats are common
• Restlessness/Shaking hands
• A decreased appetite
• Congestion
• Fever
• Headaches
• Contraction of diseases caused by risky sexual encounters (HIV/Hepatitis B/C)
• “Coke Bloat” is when the cheeks, especially the cheeks, appear aged, bloated, and puffy.
• Internal damage to the nose that is irreversible; the loss of blood supply can lead to the bridge of your nose eventually collapsing.

Long-term cocaine use can also negatively impact mental health and psychological well being. Extreme mood swings can occur, ranging from high-pitched feelings of grandiosity to hostility and isolation to financial stress. Many people who are struggling with cocaine addiction can benefit from integrated therapy for co-occurring mental and substance disorders. Some people become obsessed with the next high, sometimes at the expense or family responsibilities. Some people are unreliable or dishonest and resort to stealing in order to finance their drug use.

Watch out for these behavioral warning signs:

• Overly talkative/chatty/excitable for no apparent reason
• Excessive fidgeting
• Panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Illusions
• Irritability
• Violent and aggressive behavior
• Increased libido
• Mood swings

What Effects Does Crack Cocaine and Cocaine Have On The Body?

Both crack cocaine as well as cocaine can be very dangerous, regardless of how often they are used.

Australian researchers called cocaine “the perfect drug to attack your heart” in a study that was presented to the American Heart Association. Even a first-time user of cocaine can experience a heart attack. The cardiovascular system is affected by cocaine because the blood vessels become thicker, which reduces oxygen flow to the heart. The heart muscle is then able to work harder. Cocaine acts as a vasoconstrictor. This makes the heart pump more quickly and narrows the blood vessels. He describes cocaine use in a Canadian Vice magazine article as “like putting your foot down on the accelerator and pinching the fuel line,” he says.

Long-term abuse can cause atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and hardening of the capillaries or arteries. This is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for men and women.

Powder cocaine is snorted by shrinking blood vessels. This causes a reddened, stuffed-up nose. The blood vessels can become permanently damaged after repeated use. This can affect the user’s senses of smell.

The septum, the thin wall that separates the nostrils and supports the bridge of your nose, can be affected by snorting. This causes the wall to collapse. The septum can weaken and cause the bridge to collapse.

Crack smoking can lead to crack lung, which can be fatal.

Injecting the drug could cause infection and increase risk of HIV/hepatitis through sharing needles.

Is It Safe To Mix Cocaine and Alcohol?

No. The mixture of the two substances can lead to cocaethylene. This has a dangerous effect on the liver, heart, and brain, and increases your risk of stroke or heart attack.

What Happens If You Mix Heroin and Cocaine?

A “speedball” is a combination of cocaine and heroin. It is a stimulant for the central nervous system. Many people mistakenly believe that the stimulant will cause an immediate high and then a feeling of relaxation. The “upper” or “downer” combinations cancel out any side effects. This logic is dangerous and misleading. The stimulant increases the body’s ability to absorb oxygen while the depressant slows down the rate of breathing. This “push-pull” reaction can cause stroke, aneurysms, uncoordinated motor skills, and other fatal consequences such as respiratory failure.

What are the possible consequences of fentanyl being added to cocaine?

A growing number of traffickers and dealers have been mixing fentanyl with other drugs in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that fentanyl is 50x more potent then heroin and 100x more potent as morphine. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people who do not realize that they are taking fentanyl-laced cocaine run a greater risk of overdosing. Overdose of cocaine laced with illegal fentanyl can cause cardiac arrest and permanent brain damage. It is impossible to determine if the drug has been laced.

What are the symptoms of cocaine overdose?

There are many signs that indicate overdose, including unpleasant symptoms or lethal strokes or heart attacks. These are the most frequent signs of overdose:

• A rapid heart beat or irregular rhythm.
• High blood pressure
• Feeling uneasy
• Difficulty in breathing
• Blurred vision
• Extreme anxiety
• Feeling confused or disoriented
• Hallucinations
• Heart attacks
• Seizures
• Strokes

Medical professionals attempt to restore blood flow to the heart and brain, as well as stop seizures. Naloxone can be helpful for some overdose victims. Call 911 immediately if you suspect that you have taken an overdose.

What is the best treatment for cocaine addiction or abuse?

The first step in physical therapy is to eliminate the harmful effects of cocaine. This is called detoxification, or ” detox.” Supplied medical detox is recommended to manage withdrawal symptoms. The time it takes to detox from cocaine can vary from days to months. As the body attempts to balance itself, the risk of resuming use rises.

What are the most common withdrawal symptoms from cocaine?

When cocaine is stopped, strong cravings for the drug are common. With withdrawal symptoms that last up to 10 weeks and begin a few days after last use, these symptoms can be quite severe. These phases may include:

• You have a craving for cocaine
• Intense hunger
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Sleepless nights
• Extreme tiredness/exhaustion
• Anger outbursts/overall agitation
• Inability to feel pleasure

Is there a way to get rid of cocaine addiction?

Addiction is a multifaceted, complex chronic condition. Although there is no cure for substance abuse, it can be managed and treated. Addiction treatment at Hazelden Betty Ford addresses every aspect of recovery through science-based assessment, medication assisted treatment and evidence-based methods. There is also programming that can address mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Integrative care is about healing the mind, body and spirit. To address co-occurring mental disorders like anxiety, depression, trauma and bipolar disorder, addiction counselors work with mental health professionals.