Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that is associated with a high degree of abuse. Each month, it’s estimated that more than 1.5 million people in the US will use this drug despite its illegal status. Upon establishing a pattern of cocaine abuse, users can quickly develop a cocaine addiction, which makes it important to know the early signs of cocaine addiction.
Cocaine, whether in powder or crack form, is a highly addictive substance. Users often find themselves trapped in the cycle of addiction due to the drug’s ability to alter the brain’s chemistry, leading to a compulsion to use despite the negative impacts on their life, health, and finances. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction early is crucial. The earlier an individual acknowledges their condition and decides to seek help, the better it is for their overall well-being. Prompt action can significantly ease the recovery process. In this context, drug rehab treatment centers in Los Angeles play a vital role. These facilities offer specialized programs and support systems designed to address the unique challenges of cocaine addiction. By turning to a professional drug rehab treatment center in Los Angeles, individuals can access the necessary resources and expertise to begin their journey to recovery and reclaim control over their lives.
Muse Treatment features cocaine detox and inpatient and outpatient drug rehab programs that can help you end your cocaine dependence. Let us help you safeguard your health along with your future. The following information explains the early signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction.
It’s important to note that the signs and symptoms of cocaine abuse and addiction are apt to vary from one individual to another. However, there are some common signs and symptoms that tend to accompany this particular drug’s abuse. You might suspect a cocaine abuse problem or, indeed, a full-blown addiction if you note early signs and symptoms such as:
- Mood swings (these mood swings might involve extreme highs and lows)
- A marked boost in confidence
- Increased talkativeness
- Runny noses
- Bloody noses (damage to nasal passages)
- Weight loss
- Increased libido
- Feelings of restlessness
- An increase in risk-taking behaviors (i.e. unprotected sex, needle sharing)
- Increased secrecy (especially involving sober family members and friends)
- Financial difficulties
- Presence of drug paraphernalia
Both cocaine and crack cocaine can cause immense feelings of euphoria, but the high is typically short-lived. Users may also spend considerable time thinking about using or trying to obtain the drug. Withdrawal symptoms are another telltale sign of addiction that will appear early on.
How Cocaine Addiction Can Impact Your Life
Cocaine addiction can have devastating impacts on a person’s life as well as on their family. The medical evidence is irrefutable; a cocaine addiction can cause physical and mental health to erode. Powder and crack forms of cocaine are dangerous and can lead to overdose, but their continued use can lead to the development of mental health disorders such as anxiety, paranoia, and depression.
In Beverly Hills, a drug rehab center Beverly Hills acknowledges that cocaine addiction has profound impacts on physical health. Amphetamines, such as cocaine, not only damage the heart but also affect various body parts as they travel through the bloodstream. The repercussions of cocaine addiction extend to several common health effects, including:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Ulcers
- Seizures
- Abscesses
- Skin infections
- Nasal cavity damage
- Lung damage
- Stomach and intestinal perforations
A person with cocaine addiction is at increased risk of contracting diseases such as Hepatitis C and HIV.
In addition to these serious health problems, cocaine addiction can ruin one’s career and finances. A person with a cocaine addiction will often prioritize buying cocaine overpaying their rent/mortgage, car payment, monthly bills, food, etc…Not surprisingly, cocaine addiction can lead to relationship problems that end in estrangements, divorce, or ongoing turmoil.
A person with cocaine addiction is also at increased risk for experiencing legal problems as buying and using this drug is illegal. Driving under the influence of cocaine can also land a person in legal trouble or cause them to injure themselves or someone else.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction
What You Can Do to Overcome Your Cocaine Addiction
f you or your partner have a cocaine addiction or suspect you’re becoming dependent on this drug, it’s important to seek help. Drug addiction causes physical, mental, and behavioral dependencies. For couples facing this challenge, a joint approach like couples drug rehab can be especially beneficial, as it addresses the dynamics of the relationship alongside individual treatment.
Like other forms of drug addiction, cocaine addiction is a chronic disease. Drug addictions are characterized by relapse. In short, the individual, even after getting sober, remains vulnerable to compulsions to use. One cannot stop using cocaine and a year later dabble in “just a little” without restarting the cycle of abuse. The advantage of couples rehab is that it provides support and tools for both partners, helping them grow and heal together.
The best option for someone with cocaine addiction is to learn about their condition and enroll in a high-quality addiction treatment program. Treatment is the key to managing drug addiction so you can safeguard your health and other important aspects of your life–like your relationships, finances, and career.
Treatment Options Available for Your Cocaine Addiction
Today, people who have a drug or alcohol addiction have many options when it comes to addiction treatment. The first step to ending a cocaine dependency is typically medical detox. It takes about a week for the cocaine to leave a person’s system. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe. The safest course is to undergo clinically supervised detox at a treatment center like Muse so that your health can be monitored and clinicians can provide treatment to reduce the severity and discomfort of withdrawal symptoms.
Detox only addresses the physical dependency of cocaine addiction. Treatment programs address drug addiction’s psychological and behavioral aspects–factors generally responsible for relapse. You’ll have the option to enter a residential treatment program or an outpatient treatment program. Which one is ideal for you?
Inpatient treatment programs are ideal for people who require high support. Often, people feel quite unstable and experience powerful cravings to use. An inpatient program is accompanied by 24-hour support. If you feel that you need this degree of support, choose an inpatient model. If you do not feel at high risk for relapse, you might choose an outpatient program, especially if you have a supportive home environment.
Many people begin their recovery with inpatient treatment as it enables them to focus on their therapy without unwelcome distractions–or temptations and stress. After completing certain recovery milestones, they can transition to outpatient therapy as they begin rebuilding their lives.
Get the Help That You Need at Muse
Muse Addiction Treatment Center offers a comprehensive treatment program. We feature medical detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient treatment. This means we can help people wherever they are in their recovery journey. We also offer dual diagnosis treatment and medication-assisted treatment.
Our treatment programs are based on evidence-based therapies that have the support of the medical community because they are safe and effective for the treatment of drug addiction. We enhance our clinically driven programs with holistic and alternative therapies that support recovery, life skills, and stress reduction.
At Muse Addiction Treatment Center, clients will find a welcoming, safe, and stable environment where they can transcend their addictive behaviors to create new, healthful patterns of living. It takes time to learn how to manage one’s triggers to abuse drugs and alcohol, but it also takes help. Our clinicians specialize in addiction and can help clients learn how to successfully manage their triggers to achieve lasting recovery. Visit Muse Addiction Treatment Center or call (800) 426-1818 to learn more about how we can help you overcome your cocaine dependence.
