Cocaine Addiction

Are you dealing with an cocaine addiction or know a loved one who is battling this terrible addiction? We understand how hard it can be trying to live every day with this affliction but you don’t have to walk this road alone, get help from our team who can get you on the road to recovery today.

Cocaine is a common drug across the UK that can have devastating effects on one’s health, their lives and the lives of those around them too.

Cocaine addiction is a problem and one that we can tackle together. With the right help, support and determination, anyone can overcome their addiction to cocaine.

Read on to learn more about cocaine addiction, including the risks of abusing cocaine and what to expect from cocaine addiction treatment.

What Is A Cocaine Addiction?

Cocaine addiction is becoming more and more prominent across the UK. People with a cocaine addiction will continue to take the drug despite the consequences against their health both mentally and physically as well as the negative social effects it will have on someone’s life.

It is considered a chronic disease that heavily influences the brain, changing the brain’s structure and function. This then causes dependency on the drug and leads you to believe that you need to take cocaine to feel like you can carry on as ‘normal’ in your everyday life.

Cocaine is known to alter someone’s mood and behaviours drastically. This is because of the changes in the brain’s chemicals. Cocaine is known to be one of the most highly addictive substances, so fighting the addiction and the path to recovery is so important.

About Cocaine

Cocaine changes the way the brain functions, affecting the signalling process between the neurotransmitters and receptors. It works by triggering dopamine receptors in the brain, rewarding them and releasing a sudden pleasant and euphoric feeling.

Dopamine is the key neurotransmitter, a key chemical messenger that plays a big role in how we feel pleasure. It will, therefore, leave the user wanting more and more to feel the desired effects.

This rewarding feeling is something that people chase. Rewarding yourself with too much unnatural dopamine will start to have a toxic effect on nerve cells inside your brain. This can therefore damage your mental health heavily in the long run.

The ‘high’ is what makes cocaine so addictive and sought after. Those that use cocaine frequently on a daily basis will start to get increased urges that feel uncontrollable. With the help of the right support, you can beat your cocaine addiction. This is something we are dedicated to at AnorMed – we believe everybody deserves the right addiction support.

The Risks of Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine addiction refers to physical dependence as well as psychological dependence. This means the feeling of having to take more and more cocaine to feel the same effects.

The risk of becoming addicted to cocaine can be due to a number of factors including genetics – being more prone to becoming addicted to a substance. Other factors can include environmental factors, and being surrounded by other users of cocaine or others with cocaine addiction.

Those that are affected by poverty, unemployment, stress and emotional or career pressures can trigger an addiction to cocaine. Substances such as cocaine can appear to block out issues in someone’s life and therefore lead to cocaine dependence.

This makes it extremely difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to note that cocaine abuse doesn’t solve problems – it can simply make them worse in the long term.

Cocaine abuse can also lead to more serious health concerns such as lung, stomach and heart issues. Over time it alters your brain’s chemistry and can make it harder for you to think, sleep or remember.

Cocaine Addiction Symptoms

Cocaine addiction is often characterised by changes in behaviour which can affect your relationships both at home and in your work life too.

Sourcing cocaine will become more important than spending time with family and friends and pursuing activities you previously enjoyed.

Some of the main symptoms of cocaine addiction include some of the following:

The inability to control, lower or stop your cocaine use
Finding you have/need to take more and more of the drug to feel the effects you want
Acting impulsively or with increased energy
Poor decision making
Changes in mood and behaviour
Higher body temperature
Seizures
Cocaine cravings
Constant runny nose
Cocaine nose / Hole in nose
Cocaine withdrawal
Increased energy
Blood pressure changes
Unpredictable behaviour
Irritable
Lying or stealing to fund the addiction

Addiction to cocaine can be difficult to identify in someone. Cocaine alerts your brain’s reward system, ultimately causing feelings of euphoria. Some of the lists above can indicate to you some of the signs, whether that be physical, behavioural or psychological symptoms.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment

If you are seeking advice or help then you are already on your way to tackling your cocaine addiction. Accepting that you have a problem with cocaine is the first step to recovery.

Once this difficult step has been completed, you can let us seek the right help for your addiction treatment. This can involve putting you in touch with a rehab facility that is local to you so they can support you through the road to addiction recovery.

This may involve a residential rehabilitation clinic (inpatient rehab) and usually involves the process of detox, therapy, and then aftercare or otherwise known as secondary treatment. However, some people prefer outpatient rehab as it allows you to go about your daily life.

Throughout the rehab process, therapy will help you come up with ways of helping you overcome your addiction and help build new ways of self-esteem, creating positive new attitudes.

You are in very safe and caring hands when detoxing and going through rehab. You will have experienced professionals that will be there to help you every step of the way, always providing you with treatment and help with what aligns with your personal needs.

AnorMed Can Help

AnorMed is an expert advisory and referral service that is committed to helping individuals who are struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction. Whatever the addiction, you can count on our rehab support helpline to assist you and help to guide you through the road to recovery.

Professional treatment can help you to heal from past cocaine and there are many addiction treatment options out there to choose from. Reach out to us today and get the support you need in order to stop taking cocaine so you can live a happy and healthy life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cocaine addiction is a serious and challenging condition that can have devastating effects on individuals and their loved ones. If you or someone you know is struggling with cocaine addiction, it’s essential to seek information and support. In this section, we address some frequently asked questions about cocaine addiction to provide clarity and guidance on the road to recovery.

What is cocaine addiction, and how does it develop?

Cocaine addiction, also known as cocaine use disorder, is a chronic and compulsive pattern of using cocaine despite negative consequences. It develops due to the drug’s powerful effects on the brain’s reward system, leading to tolerance, dependence, and intense cravings for continued use.

What are the signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction?

Signs of cocaine addiction include frequent use, unsuccessful attempts to quit, neglect of responsibilities, financial difficulties, secretive behavior, changes in mood or personality, and physical effects like nosebleeds or dilated pupils.

Can cocaine addiction be treated, and what are the options?

Yes, cocaine addiction can be treated effectively. Behavioral therapies, counseling, and support groups are common treatment approaches. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify triggers and develop coping strategies. Contingency Management (CM) and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) are also beneficial in promoting abstinence and sustained recovery.

Is detoxification necessary for cocaine addiction?

While cocaine detoxification is not associated with severe physical withdrawal symptoms like some substances, it may still be essential to address any physical and psychological dependence. Medical supervision and counseling during detox can help manage withdrawal symptoms and support individuals during the initial phase of recovery.

Helpful Cocaine Addiction Resources

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – “Cocaine”: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/cocaine
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – “Cocaine Use Disorder Treatment”: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Mayo Clinic – “Cocaine Addiction”: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cocaine-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20371072
Psychology Today – “Understanding Cocaine Addiction”: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/cocaine-addiction
American Addiction Centers (AAC) – “Cocaine Addiction Treatment”: https://americanaddictioncenters.org/cocaine-treatment
Healthline – “Cocaine Addiction: Symptoms, Risks, and Treatment”: https://www.healthline.com/health/cocaine-addiction
Verywell Mind – “How Cocaine Addiction Is Treated”: https://www.verywellmind.com/cocaine-addiction-4771408
Addiction Center – “Cocaine Abuse and Addiction”: https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/cocaine/
WebMD – “Cocaine Abuse and Addiction Health Center”: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/cocaine-abuse-and-addiction
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – “Substance Use Disorders”: https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Substance-Use-Disorders

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