Cocaine is a dangerous drug made infamous by its role in various celebrity overdose deaths, but you don’t have to be famous to develop a dependence on cocaine and experience devastating physical, mental, financial and social problems. A worsening substance abuse disorder can erode your well-being and quality of life.
Addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of their background or beliefs. Here’s what you need to know about cocaine addiction, withdrawal and overdose.
Is Cocaine Addictive?
Cocaine is incredibly addictive because of the rapid, intense high it produces, which is also what makes it so dangerous. Prolonged use of drugs such as cocaine impacts the brain’s reward pathways, causing users to take increasingly higher doses to achieve the same desirable effects. For this same reason, people who try to cut back or quit using the drug can experience cocaine withdrawal symptoms, including depressed mood, fatigue, agitation and sleep disruptions.
Strong cravings are another typical result of cocaine withdrawal, and some people can continue experiencing these long after their last use of this drug. Many recovering addicts also experience a phenomenon called post-acute withdrawal syndrome, which can be severe in some cases.
The Dangers of Cocaine Use
Tragically, the Centers for Disease Control report that cocaine is responsible for one in five U.S. overdose deaths. The emergence of a potent synthetic opioid called fentanyl may be at the root of this issue. Cocaine and heroin dealers might add fentanyl to their products to extend their supply and to make it more likely that their users will get hooked. People who unwittingly take fentanyl-laced cocaine may experience an overdose due to fentanyl’s high potency.
Cocaine overdoses can result in potentially fatal seizures, strokes and heart attacks. Even if you don’t suffer a cocaine overdose, experimenting with cocaine elevates your risk of long-term health problems such as cardiovascular issues, respiratory illness and brain damage, including memory loss.
How to Get Help for a Cocaine Addiction
Accredited drug rehab at Vista Taos can include the following components.
- Medical detox: Quitting cocaine can be unpleasant and dangerous. In our medically supervised detox program, treatment professionals will monitor your condition and keep you as comfortable as possible, administering medications as necessary.
- Primary treatment: Also known as residential rehab, primary treatment involves staying in our comfortable, home-like environment while you participate in individual and group therapy, 12-step meetings and relapse prevention education.
- Extended care: There’s a proven correlation between the length of time spent in treatment and successful outcomes. After you establish four to six weeks of sobriety, you will enter our extended-care program, a structured living environment that allows you to fully focus on your recovery goals.
- Family programming: We understand addiction is a family disease. Your partner and close family members affected by your cocaine habit will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and education to learn more about your illness and what to expect while you recover.
- Holistic addiction services: We strive to meet your mental, physical and spiritual needs by providing nutritious, chef-prepared meals, massage therapy and yoga.
Qualified Addiction Recovery at Vista Taos
Are you ready to end your relationship with cocaine and get clean and sober? To learn more about our family-owned drug rehab in Taos, New Mexico, please contact us today.
