Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that causes significant changes in the brain and behavior. It is estimated that approximately five million Americans are regular cocaine users. What starts as recreational use or experimentation often quickly develops into a potentially life-threatening addiction with devastating consequences in all areas of life. Because of its high cost, powdered cocaine has primarily been viewed as an elite party drug, glorifying its use in popular culture. Crack is a more potent and addictive crystallized form of cocaine that is smoked. Cocaine and crack use reached epidemic proportions in the 1980s and 1990s. Because of the drug’s potency, professional cocaine addiction treatment is the best way to achieve lasting recovery for those trying to stop using cocaine.
Spokane Falls Recovery Center in Spokane, WA, provides a full continuum of care for individuals in need of cocaine addiction treatment. Our addiction and recovery treatment is holistic and individualized, utilizing evidence-based treatment modalities. We understand that your path is different from anyone else’s, so work with you to create an individual recovery plan. If you are ready to take back control of your life, call 844.962.2775 today.
5 Signs of Cocaine Use
Most people with substance use disorder (SUD) work hard to hide it from those around them. Identifying cocaine abuse or addiction isn’t always easy, especially in the early stages, because of the secret nature of how it is used. In many cases, family and friends recognize changes in their loved one’s behavior or appearance but cannot pinpoint the cause. However, if you are aware of the signs of cocaine use, you can encourage your loved one to seek cocaine addiction treatment.
Five common signs of cocaine use include:
1. Extreme Mood Swings
People using cocaine will appear talkative, excited, energetic, and happy. Still, their mood quickly changes as they experience the crash of the drug wearing off, leaving them angry, hostile, lethargic, and depressed.
2. Changes in Physical Appearance
Lack of sleep and poor eating habits can result in weight fluctuations and unhealthy pallor. Hygiene can suffer. Frequent nosebleeds, constant runny nose, dilated pupils, and facial tics are other common physical signs.
3. Mental Health Symptoms
Paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, memory issues, and violent outbursts are typical. Severe and lasting psychological damage can occur with prolonged use, particularly with crack.
4. Financial Issues
Because of its expense, those who use cocaine regularly often experience financial instability. Their drug use can impact employment, and many turn to stealing or other crimes to pay for their habit.
5. Changes in Sleep Patterns
Cocaine is a stimulant, so people often go for long periods without sleep when actively using cocaine. As they come down, they can become very lethargic and sleep excessively.
Cocaine use disorders are measured on a spectrum from mild to severe, depending upon the negative impact on the user’s life. Cocaine dependence leads to intense physical and psychological cravings, and the brain and body require the drug to function normally. These are the factors that keep people locked in the grips of cocaine addiction, even if they know they should quit.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction
After an individual uses cocaine regularly over a long period, physical and psychological dependence, or addiction, develops. When individuals are dependent physically upon cocaine, they will develop withdrawal symptoms if the drug use stops. Withdrawal symptoms can be particularly unpleasant and often cause individuals to continue to use cocaine despite the negative consequences. These symptoms generally resolve within one to two weeks.
Withdrawal symptoms from cocaine addiction can include:
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Anhedonia or the inability to feel pleasure
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Cravings for cocaine
- Body aches and pains
- Tremors, shakiness, and chills
Medical detox provides the medical and psychological support to help individuals detox as safely and comfortably as possible. Medically supervised detox is associated with higher relapse prevention rates and is the first step toward lasting recovery.
Call Spokane Falls Recovery Center Today
Repeated cocaine use often leads to addiction with severe adverse health consequences, including a high risk of overdose. At Spokane Falls Recovery Center, we utilize evidence-based and holistic treatment modalities to help you or a loved one overcome cocaine addiction to reclaim your life. Call 844.962.2775 to learn more about your options for treatment at our cocaine addiction treatment center in Spokane, WA.
