Although most people today recognize that cocaine is addictive, thousands are still drawn to it. Almost 1,800 Americans try cocaine for the first time each day. Ranked as the second most addictive drug in the world, cocaine is nothing to mess around with. Abuse of it can soon result in a one-way ticket to rehab. Although this fact alone scares away some potential users, its promised effects make it much more enticing to others. We will delve into the background of cocaine addiction, why it is so addictive, and how to get the help necessary for a successful recovery. With the right support, a structured cocaine detox can mark the first step toward freedom from this highly addictive substance.
What is Cocaine and How Does it Work?
Cocaine is a highly addictive and naturally occurring anesthetic or pain blocker. It is extracted from the leaves of Erythroxylum coca, also known as the coca scrub, a plant that grows in the Andean highlands of South America. In 1884, Karl Koller, an Austrian ophthalmologist, first used cocaine as an anesthetic during eye surgery. It was a popular and widely used anesthetic until the early 20th century.
As the medical profession came to realize that cocaine was addictive, safer anesthetics were developed. Cocaine, in its basic form, is no longer routinely used. However, cocaine and its derivative, crack cocaine, are widely used as illegal recreational drugs.
The method by which cocaine is used can affect how high a person feels and how long the high lasts. For example, snorting cocaine does not produce as intense a high as smoking it, but the high lasts longer. Cocaine is generally sold on the street as a fine, white powder, known as coke, Coca, C, snow, flake, blow, bump, candy, Charlie, rock, and toot. A “speedball” is cocaine or crack combined with heroin, or crack and heroin smoked together.
Common Side Effects
Cocaine use can result in both physiological and psychological side effects. Physiological effects of cocaine can include:
- Constricted blood vessels
- Dilated pupils
- Increased body temperature
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Tremors
- Vertigo
On the other hand, psychological effects of cocaine use can include:
- Panic
- Aggression
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Repetitive behaviors
- Poor judgment
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest.
Long Term Effects of Cocaine Addiction
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the reward system in the brain becomes less responsive to natural reinforcers as a result of repeated cocaine exposure. At the same time, circuits involved in stress become increasingly sensitive, leading to increased displeasure and negative moods when not taking the drug, which are signs of withdrawal. Over time, drugs alter your emotional state, making it harder to experience pleasure from normal activities. These combined effects make the user more likely to focus on seeking the drug instead of relationships, food, or other natural rewards.
Cocaine damages many other organs in the body. It reduces blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to tears and ulcerations. Many chronic cocaine users lose their appetite and experience significant weight loss and malnourishment. Cocaine has significant and well-recognized toxic effects on the heart and cardiovascular system. Chest pain that feels like a heart attack is common and sends many cocaine users to the emergency room. Cocaine use is linked with an increased risk of stroke, as well as inflammation of the heart muscle, deterioration of the ability of the heart to contract, and aortic ruptures. To sum up, here is a list of the long term effects of cocaine addiction:
- Impaired brain reward system
- Increased sensitivity to stress
- Gastrointestinal damage
- Weight loss and malnutrition
- Cardiovascular problems
- Chest pain and emergency visits
How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?
The duration that cocaine stays in the body can vary widely due to individual factors, such as frequency of use, dosage, and the method of usage. For instance, a person who uses cocaine occasionally may eliminate the substance from their system more quickly than a frequent or heavy user. Additionally, a person’s age and overall health play a role; younger individuals with faster metabolisms may process cocaine more rapidly than older adults or those with slower metabolic rates.
Hydration and body fat percentage also influence the drug’s presence in the body. Beyond blood and hair follicle tests, cocaine can be detected in saliva for up to two days and in urine for up to four days for occasional users, while chronic users might test positive for up to two weeks. Understanding these varying detection windows is important for those seeking help, as it can prepare for substance abuse treatment WV and guide the cocaine detox process.
Cocaine Addiction Statistics
- An estimated 23 million people worldwide use cocaine
- Within the first year, the relapse rate for stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines is believed to be around 50%. Furthermore, within the first five years after receiving treatment for stimulant usage, 75% of patients are likely to relapse.
- The annual cocaine market is reportedly valued at between $94 billion and $143 billion
- The United States is the world’s leading consumer of cocaine
- Women are more vulnerable to the effects of cocaine than men, although men are more likely to relapse and twice as likely to abuse the drug
- American adults aged 18-25 years old have the highest rate of cocaine use than any other age group
- Cocaine accounts for 4.77% of drug-related ED visits
Cocaine Addiction and Withdrawal Timeline
The withdrawal process for cocaine is complex and varies significantly among individuals, largely due to factors like the frequency and intensity of use, overall health, and any co-occurring mental health conditions. Since cocaine has a relatively short half-life, withdrawal symptoms can start within just 90 minutes after the last dose. During the first 7-10 days, users often experience acute withdrawal symptoms, which may include fatigue, irritability, depression, and strong cravings. These symptoms can be intense, especially for those with a history of heavy or frequent cocaine use.
After this initial phase, some symptoms like mood swings, anxiety, and drug cravings may last for weeks or even months, creating challenges in the recovery journey. Additionally, it’s common for cravings to reappear suddenly, even years after finishing a drug rehab WV and achieving sobriety, especially in response to stress or specific environmental triggers. While each individual’s experience varies, a general withdrawal timeline for cocaine includes the following stages:
- First few hours to 24 hours: Initial withdrawal symptoms, often including anxiety, irritability, and intense cravings, may appear within 90 minutes after the last use.
- Days 1-3 (crash phase): Fatigue, low mood, increased appetite, and restlessness are common. Individuals may feel mentally and physically drained.
- Days 4-7 (acute withdrawal phase): Depression, anxiety, irritability, and continued cravings persist. Sleep disturbances, such as vivid dreams and nightmares, are also common.
- Weeks 2-4 (early recovery phase): Cravings may decrease but can still occur. Symptoms like mood swings, lack of motivation, and irritability may linger.
- Months 1-3 (protracted withdrawal phase): Some individuals experience periodic cravings, especially in response to stress or reminders of cocaine use. Anxiety and depressive symptoms may still appear occasionally.
- Long-term (months to years): While physical symptoms generally subside, psychological cravings can re-emerge suddenly, even years after quitting, typically triggered by stress or certain environments.
Diagnosing Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction must be diagnosed by a licensed doctor who considers a variety of single factors. Ultimately, the doctor will use several different criteria out of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to evaluate if the patient has a cocaine addiction. Typically, A cocaine addiction diagnosis will depend on having at least two of the following criteria:
- Developing a tolerance
- Social or problems related to cocaine use
- Using more significant amounts of cocaine
- Hazardous use of cocaine
- Neglected responsibilities primarily to get high
- Cravings
- Activity replaced by cocaine use
- Excess of time spent using cocaine
- Repeat attempts to quit cocaine
- Psychological or physical issues related to cocaine use
Every individual’s cocaine addiction will be unique, and will ultimately require individual assessment by a doctor to diagnose the patient with cocaine addiction.
When Is Cocaine Detox Necessary for Cocaine Withdrawal?
Cocaine detox becomes necessary when an individual’s safety or comfort is at risk during withdrawal. Medical detox, in particular, is often recommended for people who have experienced severe withdrawal symptoms in the past or have struggled with repeated relapse. In these cases, the structured, round-the-clock care provided in a West Virginia treatment center can help manage cravings and reduce the risk of immediate relapse.
Furthermore, people with co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD, greatly benefit from medical detox. In these cases, medical detox can ensure that both the withdrawal symptoms and underlying mental health conditions are carefully monitored and managed, laying a stronger foundation for long-term recovery. Additional factors that may make cocaine detox at a cocaine treatment center necessary include:
- History of severe withdrawal symptoms: Individuals who experience intense symptoms, such as severe anxiety, depression, or paranoia, benefit from medical detox for safe monitoring and intervention.
- High levels of dependence: People with a prolonged or heavy history of cocaine use may need medical detox to manage potentially intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Risk of medical complications: Those with underlying health issues, such as heart or respiratory problems, require medical detox to avoid complications during withdrawal.
- Pregnancy: For pregnant individuals, medical detox is crucial to protect both the mother and fetus, offering support through a carefully managed detox process.
- Lack of a supportive environment: For individuals who do not have a stable or supportive home environment, inpatient medical detox provides a secure space to begin recovery without outside stressors or triggers.
- Previous detox Attempts: If someone has attempted to detox from cocaine multiple times unsuccessfully, a medically supervised detox can provide the structured support necessary for a successful start to recovery.
How to Get Help
Cocaine addiction is a complex condition that impacts many areas of a person’s life, including physical health, relationships, and overall stability. Effective treatment for cocaine addiction is multifaceted, focusing not only on breaking the cycle of cocaine misuse but also on addressing the individual’s personal, social, and environmental challenges. Because cocaine use is often accompanied by other substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or PTSD, treatment plans should be tailored to address each unique need. For many, the presence of these additional challenges can make recovery more complicated, needing a long term drug rehab WV to recover successfully.
A variety of behavioral therapies have shown success in treating cocaine addiction, providing individuals with coping mechanisms, relapse prevention strategies, and support systems. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for substance use disorders (CBT) is widely used to help individuals recognize and change harmful thought patterns, while Contingency Management (CM) offers motivation through reward-based incentives. Other approaches, such as community reinforcement and family involvement in treatment, can improve recovery. These therapies are available in both residential and outpatient settings, allowing flexibility for those seeking help. As of now, behavioral therapy remains the only approved and evidence-based treatment for individuals struggling with cocaine or crack cocaine addiction.
Find Hope and Healing: Overcome Cocaine Addiction with Effective Cocaine Detox at Harmony Ridge Recovery Center
If you or a loved one has a cocaine addiction, do not let another day go past without getting the help and answer that you need. Our team at Harmony Ridge Recovery Center understands how overwhelming it can be to consider reaching out for treatment. Rest assured that by doing so, you’re making a decision that could potentially be life-saving. At Harmony Ridge Recovery Center, our team will provide the best cocaine detox that will help the addict to stop using. Also, we will encourage mental, physical, and spiritual growth to achieve long-term recovery.
