Cocaine Addiction Treatment

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Cocaine Addiction Treatment in San Diego, California

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant and one of the most frequently abused drugs in the United States. The drug is derived from the leaves of the coca plant, and it was originally developed as a substance to help reduce pain. While it has the potential for misuse, doctors can administer it for medical uses. 

Cocaine typically comes in the form of white powder that is snorted or dissolved in water and injected. When snorted, the drug is absorbed through the nasal tissues and into the bloodstream. When dissolved into water and injected, the drug is released directly into the bloodstream and has more intense effects.

Both methods offer a rapid introduction into the bloodstream, with cocaine highs lasting anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. Because the highs are relatively short, users often take cocaine in a binge pattern, which can easily lead to tolerance of the substance and addiction.

Risk Factors of Cocaine

Three of the most commonly cited risk factors and causes for cocaine addiction include genetic factors, physical factors, and environmental factors. Those with a first-degree relative struggling with a cocaine addiction, and especially children of addicts, are more likely to become addicted. Physical factors can also come into play, as continuous use of cocaine can alter brain chemistry. Further, environmental factors can also have an impact on addiction, as people often turn to the drug as a way to numb their feelings and escape their everyday life.

Potential risk factors include:

  • A lack of parental involvement
  • A lack of parental supervision
  • Easy access to cocaine
  • Environments where drug use is common

 

  • Exposure to cocaine while in utero
  • Mental illness
  • Peer pressure
  • Unstable home situations

 

Signs and Dangers of Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug, making it very dangerous from the first use. There are a number of signs that you or someone you love is addicted to cocaine, including:

Physical Signs: Needle marks on the arms or legs (if the drug is injected), runny nose, nosebleeds, white powder traces around the nose, weight loss, and malnutrition

Social Signs: Continued use even if it is causing personal or professional problems, a need for higher doses of the drug to get the same effect, and withdrawal symptoms after the effects of the drug wear off

Mental Signs: Intense paranoia and mood swings

Effects of Cocaine Addiction

Short-Term Effects

The drug can have the following short-term effects on the body:

  • Constricted blood vessels

  • Increased blood pressure and heart rate

  • Increased body temperature

  • Increased risk of heart attack and stroke

  • Respiratory failure and sudden death

  • Risk of muscle spasms, seizures, and convulsions

  • Sleep disturbances and hyperstimulation

Long-Term Effects 

Over time, cocaine can have serious and even life-threatening effects on the body, including:

  • Damage to the internal membranes of the nose

  • Damage to vital organs like the liver, kidneys, and lungs

  • Decreased appetite

  • Disorientation and hallucinations

  • Permanent damage to the brain and heart

  • Sexual problems and infertility

Cocaine Usage

The effects of cocaine are almost instant, and they usually disappear within several minutes to an hour. Cocaine in small doses usually leads to feelings of euphoria, mental alertness, and an increase in energy and talkativeness. Additionally, a cocaine high can temporarily stop a person’s need for sleep and food. For some, the drug helps them perform tasks more efficiently, although it can have the opposite effect as well. The quicker the drug is absorbed, the stronger the high and the shorter the duration of the high. These fleeting feelings of pleasure or euphoria are followed by intense depression and anxiety. 

The rapid and short-lived high from cocaine stems from the drug’s ability to increase dopamine levels in the brain. This drug activates a reward and reinforcement mechanism in the brain, with the high becoming the “reward” and the desire to continue to take the drug becoming the “reinforcement.” However, even though the drug can briefly trick a person into thinking they feel happy, the drug soon has the opposite effect.

Cocaine also affects brain pathways that respond to stress. Often, cocaine disorders frequently co-occur with stress-related disorders. While the brain’s stress circuits are distinct from the reward pathway, they do have some overlap.

Treatment Center for Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive substance that is even more dangerous when combined with other drugs. If you or a loved one is struggling with a cocaine addiction, our staff at West Coast Recovery is here to help. We offer treatment programs to help you overcome your addiction and discover a new life of productivity and sobriety. We will be with you every step of the way on the road to recovery. To learn more about the details of our treatment programs, contact West Coast Recovery Centers at (760) 492-6385.

We work with most major insurance companies on an in-network basis.

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