Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Cocaine Rehab in Asheville, NC

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant and painkiller. It is notorious for its addictive nature and near-instantaneous effects. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 5.5 million people in the United States over the age of 12 admit to having used cocaine at least once in the past year, with roughly 1 million people having cocaine use disorder. Overcoming cocaine addiction alone is virtually impossible, but with support from a team of medical professionals and therapists who can address the underlying causes of the addiction, anyone can maintain long-term sobriety.

If you are a mid-life adult struggling with cocaine addiction, contact Silver Ridge today. Our professionals can help you get on the road to recovery. Dial (855) 945-7788 to learn more about our comprehensive Asheville cocaine rehab program.

The Effects of Cocaine Use

Using cocaine causes a release of dopamine in the brain. This enhances feelings of pleasure, creating the “high” effect. Cocaine forces the brain to release more dopamine than it is used to, which interferes with its normal ability to produce dopamine. It also recycles the existing dopamine released, so the pleasurable effect lasts longer and the brain does not have any need to produce dopamine on its own. Over time, the brain and body build a tolerance to cocaine, which means users have to increase their usage to feel the effects.

The effects of cocaine are not limited to the brain— it impacts the body as a whole. One of the side effects of cocaine is blood vessel constriction. Body tissues that come in contact with cocaine become stressed and shrink the blood vessels. This increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.

An Addiction that Hides in Plain Sight

Although cocaine has many physical and mental effects, it is not difficult to attribute the symptoms to an unrelated issue. Cocaine abuse often causes people to become stressed and agitated, but these feelings could be attributed to work, school, or any number of other things. Furthermore, people on cocaine can be very productive and efficient, which may mislead others into thinking that the user does not have a problem.

The following are some symptoms you can use to identify cocaine use:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Frequent mood swings
  • Bouts of excitability
  • Changes in sleeping patterns
  • Rapid, incessant talking
  • Agitation
  • Low impulse control
  • Frantic, erratic behavior

Cocaine Detox

Treatment for cocaine addiction begins with detox. This process involves eliminating the toxins left in the body from prolonged use, though it comes with the uncomfortable side effects of withdrawal. While some people may attempt to detox from cocaine by simply quitting “cold turkey,” doing so can be dangerous without proper medical supervision. By enrolling in a medical detox program, trained doctors and nurses can help you to get through the withdrawal phase with the assistance of various therapies and medications to aid your discomfort.

Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

Once you have completed detox, the next step is to continue your treatment with inpatient rehab. While detox mainly addresses the physical effects of cocaine addiction, rehab focuses on treating the behavioral, emotional, and mental side effects using various treatment modalities.

Some of the many methods used to help patients overcome cocaine addiction include:

Recovery Is Possible for Everyone

The elated effects of cocaine coupled with the difficult effects of withdrawal can make it difficult for someone struggling with an addiction to admit they have a problem and seek treatment. Cocaine addiction is dangerous, as it results in serious life-threatening health conditions. Furthermore, it makes it difficult for the user to experience pleasure without using cocaine, which can do serious damage to relationships.

Despite all of this, sobriety is a possibility for everyone that is suffering from drug addiction. The first step is admitting the problem and addressing it head-on. At Silver Ridge in Asheville, we believe in tackling recovery in a very personal way. While group therapy sessions are a component of our program, our primary focus is on individual therapy where we can address a client’s personal struggle with addiction.

Dial (855) 945-7788 to learn more about our cocaine addiction treatment program in Asheville.