Addiction is difficult to overcome, and cocaine is one of the top ten most common drugs people enter inpatient or outpatient services for, with it accounting for about 5% of all treatment admissions. If you or a loved one are struggling and are considering rehab for cocaine near Los Angeles, know you aren’t alone, and there are options. First, let’s take a look at cocaine addiction to understand how we got here and, ultimately, how to overcome it at a Los Angeles inpatient drug rehab center.
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Why Do People Use Cocaine?
To understand why cocaine use is so alluring, we have to take a trip inside our brains, where neurotransmitters keep our psychological reward system running. These brain chemicals act like messengers between neurons, motivating us to repeat behaviors that feel good. This reward system evolved to keep our ancestors safe and to help them continue to make choices that were beneficial for their survival, and the same is true for modern humans as well.
A perfect example of this is why eating a tasty treat can be so enjoyable! When we have a pleasurable experience, like eating a delicious fruit, our brains release dopamine to provide satisfaction. That’s because fruit contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients needed to sustain life, and eating more means better survival. That rewarding feeling motivates us to try another piece, thus ensuring we’ll keep ourselves fed.
Cocaine, on the other hand, floods the brain with dopamine and temporarily prevents it from reabsorbing, which causes an intensely euphoric yet short-lived rush. Since this high is so fleeting, it leaves users craving more to experience the rush again. This feeling is much stronger than the other rewards we can experience naturally, which hijacks the dopamine system and rewires the brain to seek out this drug more often to feel good.
There are countless reasons why a person would try cocaine in the first place, including:
- Mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.
- Trauma
- Peer pressure
In April 2024, the Los Angeles Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Council released updated statistics for the area, indicating cocaine use is now prevalent in up to 3.7% of young adults aged 18-25. Comparatively, cocaine use in other age groups only accounts for about 1% or less of the population. That’s a pretty stark difference, especially for youths in the prime of their life. It’s never too late, nor too early, to seek out rehab for cocaine in Los Angeles near you. Regardless of how and when addiction begins, there’s always help available, including pet-friendly drug rehab in Los Angeles.
How to Tell If Someone Is Using Cocaine?
Spotting covert cocaine use can be quite a challenge, as many people who struggle with addiction are skilled at masking their habits. However, there are always behavioral clues and physical changes that may suggest the presence of this popular illegal drug:
- Dilated Pupils: Cocaine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system, which can cause a spike in adrenaline, making the very middle black parts of our eyes, the pupils, seem much larger than normal.
- Runny Nose: One of the most common ways to take cocaine is nasally, but the rough powder easily irritates the sensitive mucous membranes in the nose that end up dripping.
- Excessive Sweating: That euphoric feeling can get the heart pumping, the adrenaline going, and your body turning the heat up dangerously.
- Insomnia: Disrupting the natural ebb and flow of dopamine in your brain also knocks the natural production of melatonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for sleep, off balance.
- Loss of Appetite: Similarly to the above, too much dopamine inhibits the production of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger.
- Paranoia: The balance between dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine is a delicate one, and throwing too much of one into the mix sends the other two haywire, leading to heightened anxiety, irritability, and distorted perceptions of reality. This can make users feel suspicious or like everyone is out to get them. Additionally, it may be partly due to guilt surrounding their sneaky behavior and a fear of being caught.
- Financial Problems: The more often a person uses cocaine, the higher their tolerance gets. This means that it takes more and more of it to get them where they want to be, and with the brain desperate to experience that rush again, to that same degree, an individual could easily end up spending more than they have to try and achieve that goal.
If you recognize these symptoms in a loved one, don’t panic. Countless resources are available to help you take the right next step for everyone involved.
How Many People in Los Angeles Use Cocaine?
While pinpointing the exact number of cocaine users in the greater Los Angeles area is challenging due to the illegal nature of the drug, a report from The National Survey on Drug Use and Health suggests that a significant number of users report having tried it at least once in their lives. It’s clear, unfortunately, that cocaine remains prevalent in the region.
How to Stop Using Cocaine
Overcoming cocaine addiction requires professional help and support. While it’s possible to quit on your own, seeking professional guidance significantly increases your chances of long-term sobriety. Here are some steps to consider:
- Acknowledge the Problem: The first step to recovery is admitting a problem. Be honest with yourself about your cocaine use and its negative impact on your life.
- Seek Professional Help: Consult with a healthcare professional or addiction specialist. They can assess your situation, develop a personalized treatment plan, and guide your recovery.
- Consider Detoxification: If you’ve been using cocaine heavily, medical drug detoxification may be necessary to manage withdrawal symptoms safely. This process is typically supervised by medical professionals in a controlled setting.
- Therapy and Counseling: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic approaches can help you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with addiction.
- Support Groups: Joining support groups like Cocaine Anonymous can provide valuable peer support and encouragement. Sharing experiences with others in recovery can be incredibly helpful.
- Build a Strong Support Network: Surround yourself with supportive friends and family who can offer encouragement and accountability.
- Practice Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Regularly exercise, maintain a balanced diet, and prioritize adequate sleep. These habits can improve your overall well-being and reduce cravings.
- Avoid Triggers: Identify situations, people, or places that trigger your cravings and avoid them as much as possible.
- Be Patient and Kind to Yourself: Recovery is a journey, not a destination. It’s important to be patient with yourself and celebrate your successes, no matter how small.
- Relapse Prevention: Develop strategies to prevent relapse, such as identifying triggers, practicing stress management techniques, and having a plan for handling cravings.
Remember, recovery is possible with the right support and commitment. Don’t hesitate to seek help and take the first step towards a healthier, happier life.
Find Rehab for Cocaine Los Angeles Residents Can Access at Muse Treatment
There’s no shame in getting clean from substance abuse, and Muse Treatment strives to make each and every one of our patients feel like they’re recovering in a safe, welcoming space. We even offer drug rehab for cocaine in Los Angeles. It doesn’t matter how you or your loved one got to this point. What matters now is securing the proper care that lets you take back control of your life. Ready to take that first step? Call Muse Treatment at 800-426-1818 now to begin healing.
External Sources
- SAMHSA – National Survey on Drug Use and Health
- Los Angeles Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Council – Costs of Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse
- National Libary of Medicine – Adverse health consequences of cocaine abuse