While the number of individuals who suffer from stimulant use disorders is falling, cocaine addiction is not as uncommon as one might think. With this drug being the second most trafficked drug on the planet, it’s no wonder why it is so popular and easily acquired on the street.

Drug addiction is complex. With the way it impacts the brain along with various social, familial, and other variables in one’s life, treatment is something to utilize in an effort to handle these issues combined with any mental disorders that might call for behavioral or pharmacological intervention.

Throughout this article, we’ll discuss the truth behind abusing the substance and the necessary treatment. With this knowledge, you’ll find it easier to understand what addiction is like and how to handle the problems it often brings.

If you or a loved one need treatment, please contact our Miami rehab today by calling 1-800-626-1980.

Your call could save a life.

Long Term Effects Of Cocaine Abuse

The long-term effects are intimidating, providing good reasons to seek treatment fast. While this narcotic is pleasurable, everything it does to the body and mind makes quitting appealing. Ceasing one’s use isn’t easy, but in the long-run, it’ll be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself and your loved ones.

Here’s a list of what it will do as time progresses:

• You’ll have permanent damage to blood vessels composing the brain and heart.
• Your blood pressure will rise, resulting in an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, and death.
• You’ll have kidney, liver, and lung damage.
• Smokers will experience respiratory damage from inhaling the narcotic.
• Sniffers will experience the destruction of their tissues.
• Those who inject it are at an increased risk of infectious diseases and abscesses.
• You may find your teeth rotting.
• You can have sexual issues, infertility, and reproductive damage, regardless of your sex.
• Confused exhaustion, apathy, and disorientation are not uncommon.
• Tactile and auditory hallucinations can occur.
• Weight loss and malnutrition are common long-term impacts.
• You might suffer from delirium or psychosis.
• You may find yourself trying to cope with severe depression.

Signs Of Addiction

When is the right time to seek coke rehab treatment? If you’re addicted to this powerful narcotic, there are some telltale signs. Noticing the symptoms can be tough when one’s mind is fogged from the drugs. The truth of the matter is denial is all too common, and admitting one’s addicted can be difficult for some.

Here’s a list of the symptoms you’ll experience if you’re addicted to this narcotic:

• You neglect important obligations, such as family, school, or job.
• You’re isolating yourself from other people.
• You’re using the narcotic in situations that add a level of danger, such as operating machinery, watching children, or driving an automobile.
• You’re using instead of participating in activities you found important.
• Your body now needs more to find the same high you used to find in lower doses; your body’s tolerance has risen, and you find yourself coping with withdrawal symptoms when you stop using.
• You dedicate lots of time to using or attempting to obtain it.
• You find yourself consumed with suspicion, seeing or hearing things that aren’t actually there.
• You showcase physical symptoms such as frequent runny nose, sores around your mouth, track marks from needles, frequent nosebleeds, etc.
• You disappear, sometimes for days at a time, without providing an explanation.
• You find yourself experiencing periods of hyperactivity, lacking the ability to sleep, elation, or chattiness that’s followed by sleepiness, depression, irritability, or lethargy.

Treating Cocaine Addiction Symptoms

At this point, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medications for treating those suffering from cocaine addiction. Even with this being the case, some researchers are looking into several neurobiological possibilities. In the past, the main focus was dopamine, but with the substance producing such intense changes in the brain relating to various other neurotransmitters, other options must be explored.

Researchers have found coke changes the brain’s other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). With this in mind, the current testing is focused on medications that include compounds restoring the balance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission. They are also testing medications that impact the dopamine and serotonin receptors.

Behavioral treatments for addiction are also somewhat practical. Through behavioral therapy, motivational incentives are used to help patients. These programs offer a reward system for staying away from drugs.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is also impactful when it comes to avoiding relapse. With this kind of program, the patients can develop critical skills that promote long-term avoidance of drugs. They learn how to recognize situations dangerous to their sobriety as well as how to cope more effectively with the various problems that come with using.

The therapeutic communities found at treatment centers also help patients recover from addiction. These communities typically call for a 6- to 12-month commitment and usually involve an onsite vocational rehab along with other supportive services to help patients get their lives back.

Get Help Today

While the risk of relapse is high, the tools and resources one needs to find and remain the path to sobriety are available when you seek treatment. Mental health teams, social support groups, and all of the recovery tools one could need can be the difference between relapse and living a clean life. Recovery is possible, but taking the first step is a choice you’ll need to make.

Need help finding a top cocaine rehab center in Florida? Take a step towards a better transition of yourself. If you or someone you love need help seeking treatment, please contact our Miami rehab today by calling 1-800-626-1980.