Drugs like cocaine and crack are known as mind-altering substances because they produce highs by interfering with your brain chemistry. In particular, cocaine and crack cocaine are known as stimulant drugs because they boost activity in some regions of the brain that control mood, your sense of reward and your energy levels. The result is a high that makes you feel alert, social and happy, but can also have the effect of training your brain to want to repeat the experience. If you do fall into a pattern of using cocaine or crack to get high, your brain will start to change in ways that last even after the effects of the drug wear off. You might feel particularly anxious, depressed or tired when you aren’t high; you might be unable to control your moods or sleeping patterns and you might start to rely on drugs to avoid these negative outcomes.

As this dependence develops, addiction can quickly follow. Eventually, cocaine or crack use becomes compulsive — at this point, a drug user may continue to use cocaine or crack even if they know it has negative consequences, and they may experience uncontrollable cravings resulting in single-minded drug-seeking behavior.

There are some specific warning signs indicating cocaine abuse, including:

• Inability to fulfill obligations at work or home
• Feeling that using cocaine, or other substances, is the only way to “fit in”
• Preoccupation with getting or using cocaine
• Needing more cocaine to get high
• Getting high more easily off less cocaine (building a “tolerance”)
• Suffering from withdrawal symptoms
• Using cocaine to stop withdrawal symptoms
• Giving up important activities, or losing relationships, because of cocaine use
• Sabotaging relationships or having trouble with family or friends
• Having money problems because of cocaine use
• The appearance of drug paraphernalia like needles, baggies or pipes
• Nosebleeds or sniffling (powder cocaine)
• Burn marks around the hands and mouth (crack cocaine)

Even if you are physically able to stop using cocaine on your own, there is a strong likelihood of relapse; your brain is trained to want cocaine or crack, and cravings can recur even many months later. If you are not equipped to properly process and handle events that may trigger a relapse, you could be in danger of heading down a path of addiction again. If you want to achieve a real, long-lasting recovery, professional treatment for cocaine addiction treatment is critical.

Because of the changes in brain function and the strong likelihood of relapse, cocaine addiction requires long-term treatment to increase the success of your recovery. No matter where you are in your struggle with substance abuse or on your journey of recovery, you can always turn to rehabilitation centers and recovery resources for help. There are many different options for treatment, support or advice, whether you are seeking treatment for the first time or whether you are worried about another relapse. It’s important to remember that recovery is an ongoing process throughout your life, and it’s likely that you will need to turn to these resources at one point or another. You should never feel like you are wrong for asking for help to get or stay clean; we know it can be a difficult decision to make, but seeking treatment will always be the right choice.

Vista Taos offers high-quality rehabilitation for adult men and women across the nation who are struggling with substance abuse. Our treatment programs for cocaine and crack cocaine are set up to provide primary treatment of the addictive behaviors, followed by an extended care program to provide support and structure. We offer holistic treatment for addiction at multiple levels of care, ensuring that our clients make a complete recovery and have access to programs that meet their needs as they progress through stages of recovery.

We focus on the various aspects of cocaine addiction recovery with our proven methods of group support, 12-step programs, and educational techniques. We also provide engaging and therapeutic activities unique to our area, including outdoor excursions that take advantage of our scenic location while instilling healthy habits and values. Our treatment program is individually designed so you receive the best recovery tools available, suited particularly to your background and your strengths. We can customize your recovery process to include important family members through family therapy, to help you heal from underlying causes like grief and trauma or to help you heal any physical ailments that have arisen due to substance abuse. The expert team at Vista Taos will work with you one-on-one to help you create a treatment plan that works for you, both during your time in our programs and as you leave to return to independent life.

Vista Taos is a place to begin your journey to physical and emotional well-being. Please contact us today by filling out our confidential form online, or by calling us at 575-586-3104. If you are concerned about yourself or your loved one, don’t hesitate to reach out to us — your healthier life is waiting.