Cocaine Addiction and Treatment

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant that primarily appears in two forms:

1. A powder that can either be snorted through the nose or dissolved in water and injected into a vein with a needle.


2. A hard, rock-like form called "crack," which can be smoked.

In either form, cocaine is highly addictive because of the intense euphoria experienced by users (even first-time users). Many former cocaine addicts have said that they were never able to repeat the intensity of that first high, no matter how much cocaine they ingested.

Short-term effects of cocaine use include euphoria, heightened mental alertness, decreased appetite, increased energy, constricted blood vessels, increased temperature, and dilated pupils. In some instances, cardiac arrest or seizures can occur, and can even result in death.

Cocaine is another drug to which chronic users develop a tolerance, requiring them to use in ever-increasing amounts. Long-term cocaine use can cause irritability and mood swings, restlessness, paranoia, and auditory hallucinations. It can also cause an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, respiratory failure, stroke, and gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal pain and nausea.

Treatment

As with any addiction issue, a treatment program for cocaine addiction should meet the individual needs of the addict. Detoxification and behavioral therapy are common to most programs, but again, the details of these elements will vary.

Though many programs treat cocaine addiction, methods vary; thus, not every cocaine addiction treatment program will work well for every person who is addicted to cocaine.

To learn more about cocaine addiction, or to find the right drug rehabilitation center for you or someone you care about, call 888.287.6175.