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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that cocaine remains a leading cause of drug overdoses, killing more than 5,000 people annually—and many thousands more due to secondary causes such as organ damage and cardiovascular problems.
No one willingly chooses a life addicted to cocaine. Cocaine addiction is painful and isolating. It’s also a disease, not a moral failing. The sooner you seek treatment at drug abuse treatment programs for this life-altering disease, the sooner you can get your life back.
Here’s what you need to know about cocaine addiction—and how our West Palm Beach drug rehab center can help you restore your life.
Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant. This means that it speeds up activity in your brain and spinal cord, helping you feel smarter, more alert, and more energetic. Over time, this feeling becomes addictive. It’s also not reflective of reality. You might feel smarter, but in reality, you’re just moving more quickly—and probably more aggressively.
Cocaine is heavily correlated with aggression, interpersonal violence, and relationship conflict because it makes people think they’re smarter than they are, instilling a sense of overconfidence.
Like all drugs, cocaine breeds dependency and tolerance. Over time, you’ll need more cocaine to get the same high you once got at a lower dose causing cocaine dependence. That’s how people end up overdosing. It’s also what gets people progressively more addicted, because the more cocaine they use, the more dependent the body and brain become on the drug.
The second type of cocaine, called crack cocaine, may be even more addictive than powder cocaine. Crack cocaine is the freebase form of cocaine and can be smoked or injected. Though its effects are similar, some research suggests that it is more addictive.
It’s also more common in impoverished and urban areas, where people already face a number of risk factors for drug addiction and drug use. So crack ends up being a temporary escape from the pain that forms a longer-term addiction prison. Cocaine use disorders develop from both types of cocaine, and are still one of the most common of all substance use disorders.
The most significant symptom of cocaine addiction is dependence—the inability to stop using cocaine without serious physiological effects. If you experience depression, anxiety, or withdrawal when you try to stop using, you’re an addict. Some other signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction include:
Cocaine is illegal, so many people think cocaine addiction is something that happens only to criminals, or to other people. Anyone can get addicted to cocaine. And because of cocaine’s stimulating effects, it’s often high-performing perfectionists who get addicted.
For some people, prescription stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin are gateway drugs to cocaine. These drugs help people have more energy to study, work, and engage in other challenging pursuits.
Some turn to cocaine when they develop a tolerance, hoping for a performance improvement. And thus, the addiction to one substance transforms into an addiction to another substance.
Both crack and powder cocaine have similar effects. They can damage the heart, lungs, liver, and kidney. They may cause serious brain damage, strokes, heart attacks, seizures, and other catastrophic medical events. They’re also easy to overdose on.
The effects aren’t just physical. Cocaine also alters mental health by depleting dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to feelings of motivation and wellness. Users end up depressed and overwhelmed, then use more cocaine to combat these feelings.
This creates a vicious cycle that requires more than just sobriety. It requires a comprehensive plan for treating the underlying issues that caused the addiction.
Seeking addiction treatment for your addiction and substance use disorder for the first time can be scary. No matter your drug addiction or drug abuse history, getting the treatment you need for long-term recovery is never too late.
Give us a call today!
We understand the importance of accessibility and affordability, which is why we have partnered with several insurance companies to better service you. We accept most major insurance providers and private health insurance. Our team is available 24/7 to assist you in navigating your insurance coverage. If you don’t have insurance, we are here to help you understand the options available for you or a loved one.
Take the first step toward recovering from addiction by calling Future Now Detox at (866) 419-3899, or verify your insurance by clicking the button below.
We strongly believe in the work we do. We are committed to the health and well-being
of every soul we treat. We don’t just want to get you sober. We want to help you
recover in body, mind, and spirit, so you can awaken to a new life.
