What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a Schedule II stimulant drug that has very addictive properties. It comes from coca leaves that are purified for the chemical cocaine hydrochloride. It was once used in many American household products and food items, the most infamous example being Coca-Cola®. Today, a doctor can still administer it for medical purposes or surgeries. Cocaine that is purchased off the streets is called “coke”, “powder”, “blow”, or “snow”. This drugs illicit use drives up street prices and makes it a prime target for being cut with cheap fillers such as talcum powder or baking soda. There are two main types: a powder and a rock. The rock cocaine, sometimes referred to as “Crack”, is usually smoked. The powder form is snorted, injected, or smoked.

This drug blocks the pain receptors in the brain and gives its users a feeling of euphoria. Research shows that the brain structure of a user will eventually be altered and a cocaine addiction can be easily developed with the repeated usage of the substance.

Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine abuse is one of the most common illicit drug emergency room visits seen in hospitals today. In 2013 the death toll from cocaine abuse was nearly 5000. It is a drug that has its peak soon after it is ingested. Cocaine abuse is when someone uses cocaine without medical necessity and for the purpose of getting high. Coke is ingested through the nose, smoked, inhaled, or even injected. Once the cocaine hits the bloodstream the brain is flooded with dopamine followed by a feeling of euphoria. Since it is a stimulant, it naturally increases the heart rate, body temperature, and cardiovascular rates. Cocaine addiction is a dangerous addiction that can lead to stroke, heart attack, or even death.

When it comes to cocaine abuse, many addicts use a concoction called speedball, which is a mixture of heroin and cocaine. Speedball is a very dangerous mixture of drugs, which can quickly cause cardiac arrest.

Cocaine Tolerance

A  tolerance can be built just as quickly as any other illicit drug tolerance. With cocaine, there is said to be a “reverse tolerance” that happens after long-term usage; eventually, the effects of the cocaine will have the same intense effects as the initial dosage. This “cocaine sensitization” is a dangerous thing to experience because it can cause

• Heart failure
• Accidental overdose
• Respiratory failure and more

Cocaine Addiction

Signs of cocaine addiction include:

• Dilated pupils
• Nervousness
• Blocked Nasal Passages
• Decreased Appetite / Weight loss
• Mood swings
• Isolation
• Risky behaviors
• Talkativeness

Who Abuses Cocaine

According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse, in the United States alone, over 35 million people over the age of 12 have tried cocaine; over 8 million people over the age of 12 have tried crack cocaine. Sadly, half of the people that suffer from a cocaine addiction also suffer from a mental disorder such as ADHD. When addressing any addiction, it is important to have an addiction treatment specialist that cares about finding out the reason behind your addiction. Having the support of medically trained addiction treatment staff gives you a better chance at a successful addiction recovery.

Dangers of Usage

The euphoria and perceived thrill of  usage may seem appealing, but in reality the dangers of using cocaine far outweigh the fun. Casual cocaine use and cocaine addiction can lead to contraction of an STD, mental illness, physical health problems, organ failure, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, heart failure, and even death. If you or someone you love has a cocaine addiction, we urge you to seek help from a good addiction treatment facility.

Quitting

Even cocaine comes with withdrawal symptoms. Some of the withdrawal symptoms include general depression, mental fogginess, lethargy, agitation, and nightmares. Please don’t be embarrassed about seeking help for your addiction recovery process. Addiction Recovery will change your life for the better, and there are many affordable options for you out there.

Even if you don’t realize you have a problem with addiction, you might still be at risk for some advert side effects of quitting. Cravings for the high can be strong and suicidal thoughts are known to occur, which are some of the reasons why having a licensed medical addiction specialist around during detox is always an encouraged action. In addition, having an addiction treatment therapist around will ensure that you don’t turn to the use of sedatives or alcohol to self-treat the withdrawal symptoms.

Once you are in the process of detoxing at a detox treatment facility, a medical professional will be able to prescribe helpful medicine that can ease the discomfort of withdrawal. Inpatient rehab treatment is the preceding step. Inpatient Drug Treatment will provide 24/7 addiction treatment staff. In this setting, you can utilize help from addiction treatment specialists and therapy groups to address any triggers you might have that cause you to abuse prescription medications. Cocaine as a cure the Coronavirus? We think now!

Outpatient rehab programs are a great option for most busy individuals because they doesn’t require 24/7 treatment in a controlled environment; instead, they allow you to attend therapy groups around your schedule.