Recognizing Cocaine Abuse Signs

This addiction can be difficult to treat, and the majority of those seeking treatment for cocaine addiction are polydrug users (use more than one drug recreationally). In its soft form, the drug is typically added to another substance, such as sprinkling cocaine in a joint of marijuana or mixing it with standard tobacco for a hand-rolled cigarette. The effect of smoking cocaine in its powdered form is not typically as strong as when the drug is manipulated through chemical changes and cooked into a hard form called crack. Smoking crack is highly addictive, highly dangerous, and a much larger problem for users than other forms of cocaine. Cocaine is used in some different ways, and some of the methods of having a more powerful impact than others. One of the most common methods of cocaine use is to snort the drug, which causes effects that last for about an hour and then gradually taper off.

• While cocaine can adversely affect every organ in the body, its most dangerous and life-threatening effects are on thecardiovascular system.
• Getting help at an inpatient treatment program for cocaine addiction will significantly help your chances of recovery.
• Cocaine use disorders are measured on a spectrum ranging from mild to severe.

Let us work together to combat this destructive condition and provide hope for those impacted by it. Understanding the effects of cocaine addiction is essential for recognizing the severity of the problem and taking appropriate steps towards recovery. If you suspect a loved one may be struggling with cocaine addiction, it’s crucial to approach the cocaine addiction treatment situation with compassion and encourage them to seek help. Recovery from cocaine addiction is possible, and seeking help is the first step towards regaining control and improving overall well-being. If you suspect that someone you care about may be addicted to cocaine, it is essential to approach them with compassion, empathy, and understanding.

Tolerance and Withdrawal Symptoms

Cocaine is a highly addictive amphetamine, and around 1.5 million people in the United States will use cocaine in a given month. People between the ages of 18 – 25 have the highest cocaine addiction rates of any age cohort. Pick a good time and place to talk, preferably a calm place where the person feels at ease. Also, select a time when you know they won’t be under the influence of cocaine. Start the conversation calmly, explaining your concerns in a non-accusatory tone.

• If you or someone you know is struggling with a cocaine addiction, there are treatment options that can help.
• Recreational use of cocaine is illegal because it is dangerous and can lead to severe health consequences, including stroke, heart attack, and overdose.
• Behavioral treatment includes psychotherapy and other psychosocial interventions.
• The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that there are around 1.5 million current users of cocaine in the United States.

If you suspect that someone may be struggling with cocaine addiction, it’s essential to approach the situation with care and encourage them to seek professional help. The third phase of cocaine withdrawal, what is known as the extinction phase, can last for several months. Some addicts report an extinction phase to last for as long as 28 weeks. During this time, users need proper monitoring and help to prevent a relapse or a suicide attempt. Clinical depression, occasional cravings, and lingering concentration and memory problems can make life difficult for those in recovery.

Psychological Symptoms

That same year there were a staggering 448,481 emergency department visits involving the use of cocaine. For many, this physiological dependence on cocaine will keep them trapped in a dangerous pattern of addictive behavior. Cocaine is a powerful illegal stimulant that many people abuse for its short but intense high. Typically found in white powder form, this drug is abused but those who crave the sense of euphoria it is known to create.

Over 14 percent of all Americans age 12 and older have used cocaine in their lifetimes, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports. Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that increases energy levels and keeps people awake while raising heart rate and blood pressure. Cocaine also makes people feel good by flooding the brain with dopamine, one of the chemical messengers that increase feelings of pleasure. Spotting teen substance abuse can be difficult because some signs of drug use, including risk-taking behavior and mood swings, are also signs of normal teen development. People who abuse drugs, including teenagers, may also exhibit specific behavioral signs.

The Dangers Of Cocaine Abuse

Some people can take cocaine multiple times without developing addiction, whereas others can become addicted after trying it once. Contrary to popular belief, addiction doesn’t stem from dangerous substances. Addiction develops when drugs such as cocaine are used as a coping mechanism for unresolved issues such as trauma or grief.

The signs of an overdose from cocaine include nausea, vomiting, tremors, seizures, elevated heart rate, chest pain, and a rise in blood pressure and body temperature. A cocaine overdose can result in a stroke or heart attack, and it is a medical emergency. A pre-intervention meeting may be held with the families and loved ones of the person who is addicted to cocaine in order to form a detailed action plan. This meeting can help family members and loved ones to organize chaotic thoughts and focus swirling emotions in a more useful manner.

The rate of cocaine use in individuals aged 20 to 24 continues to increase in Canada. By Heidi Moawad, MD

Heidi Moawad is a neurologist and expert in the field of brain health and neurological disorders. Dr. Moawad regularly writes and edits health and career content for medical books and publications.

When snorted, the cocaine high takes longer to arrive but lasts 15 to 30 minutes. Cocaine use and cocaine addiction signs are those that can be seen by others and may or may not be as a direct result of the cocaine itself. Once a Cocaine addiction has been realized, the next step is to make sure the person affected seeks help.

Signs of cocaine abuse

Until brain cell functions get a chance to heal, drug cravings and withdrawal effects will only get worse with time. Options is a mental health and addiction treatment center for adolescents, adults, and seniors. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Options provides specialized care for each unique individual. Individuals may use cocaine as a coping or numbing mechanism for psychological or emotional discomfort.