Helping a Cocaine Addict

Is cocaine a thing of the past? Not quite.

It’s not uncommon for the drug to appear at parties or social functions and millions seek treatment for dependence upon the substance every year.

The risks of cocaine abuse cannot be overstated. Some users die the very first time they try cocaine, and even long-term users who think they know what they’re doing can overdose at any time. Furthermore, getting cocaine often requires a person to put himself or herself in dangerous situations and could also lead to trouble with the law, issues that could lead to a loss of freedom or loss of life.

Perhaps the biggest risk of all is the risk of developing a cocaine dependence. Cocaine is highly addictive, especially when smoked in crack form, and anyone struggling with both cravings for the drug and a physical dependence will require treatment to stop using the drug. If someone you love is struggling with a cocaine addiction, it’s not an issue to ignore. Contact us at Black Bear Lodge to find out how we can help.

About Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant drug derived from the coca plant found in South America. Those who use the drug are often overly engaged, highly energetic and chatty – or morose, hostile and aggressive. The physical effects are powerful in the body, and abuse of the drug can lead to serious mental and physical disorders.

Once called a designer drug due to the high rates of abuse of the substance among the upper class, it can now be found in use among a wide variety of groups. Some snort it, some shoot it, and some turn it into a rock form called crack and smoke it.

Though it is commonly believed that cocaine is past its heyday in the United States, the fact is that the substance is still responsible for high rates of abuse, addiction, and overdose across the country.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports the following statistics regarding the usage of the drug in 2012:

  • 14.5 percent of those over the age of 12 reported using the drug at least once in their lives
  • 4.6 percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 25 say they used the drug in the last year
  • 3.5 percent of people over the age of 12 report using crack cocaine at least once in their lives

Additionally, NIDA cites a National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) statistic that found that there were an estimated 1.9 million cocaine users in the US in 2008; about 359,000 of those primarily used crack.

Cocaine abuse is statistically significant in the United States and contributes to the deaths of thousands of people each year. If your loved one is living with an active cocaine abuse or dependence problem, you can be the impetus for change they’re waiting for. Contact us at Black Bear Lodge today and learn more about our intensive rehabilitation program that can help your loved one get back on track.

How Cocaine Works

Triggering the Reward System

Cocaine creates a high in the user by triggering the pleasure pathway in the brain, releasing large amounts of dopamine and blocking the reuptake of this chemical, which causes it to build up and create a sense of euphoria. This feeling can be addictive. Unfortunately, it’s a feeling that gets more and more difficult to achieve. Over time, users take more and more of the drug in an effort to recapture that same intensity of feeling, only to develop a physical dependence in addition to the psychological cravings along the way.

Prenatal Exposure to Cocaine

Numerous studies have indicated that the use of cocaine during pregnancy can cause serious harm to the fetus, including:

  • Miscarriage
  • Low birth weight
  • Withdrawal symptoms at birth
  • Early developmental issues

A study published in the journal Pediatrics took this research a step further and found that adolescents who were exposed to cocaine in the womb had an increased risk of developmental issues during the teen years as compared to their peers.

Signs of Cocaine Addiction

What a person acts like while under the influence will vary according to a number of factors including:

  • The length of time spent actively abusing cocaine
  • The length of the binge
  • Other drugs of abuse frequently used
  • Co-occurring mental health issues

Though your loved one may be chatty and engaging or surly and aloof, there are a number of signs of an active addiction that can indicate the need for treatment.

These include:

  • Possession of paraphernalia used for carrying or ingesting cocaine (e.g., rings or lockets with white compartments that have white residue, needles, etc.)
  • Lying about using the drug, frequency of use or amount used
  • Stealing money to pay for cocaine
  • Experiencing negative consequences at work due to use of cocaine
  • Suffering from mood swings that include depression, hostility, anxiety, and euphoria
  • Using cocaine more often or in larger amounts than intended
  • Problems at home or with one’s spouse or family as a result of cocaine use
  • Sinus problems or nosebleeds as a result of cocaine use
  • Chest pain or increased or irregular heart rate when using cocaine
  • Obsessing over or continually planning ways to get more cocaine
  • Financial difficulties due to cocaine use
  • Sleep interferences or disturbances due to cocaine use
  • Using cocaine alone
  • Increased paranoia
  • Making attempts to stop cocaine use but being unable to do so

Unfortunately, cocaine abusers and addicts can inadvertently put their lives in danger and threaten the safety of those around them by making poor choices under the influence or in pursuit of more cocaine. Getting behind the wheel, having unprotected sex, keeping drugs in a house with children, being high when responsible for the safety of others – these are just a few incidents that are red flags for an addiction that requires immediate intervention and treatment.

Slang Terms for Cocaine

Terms used to refer to cocaine on the street vary according to region and time period. Some current names for cocaine include:

  • Coke
  • Blow
  • Coca
  • Snow
  • Flake

Health Risks of Cocaine Abuse

When someone regularly introduces cocaine into their system, a number of health problems become a concern. These can be acute, occurring while the person is still under the influence of the drug or slowly build over time due to regular use.

Health problems commonly caused by the abuse of cocaine include:

  • Gastrointestinal issues, including stomach pain and nausea
  • Malnutrition due to decreased appetite
  • Increased risk of HIV due to sharing needles or having unprotected sex with an infected person
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Sudden death

Additionally, the method of ingestion can bring with it a host of unique health problems. For example, those who inject the drug have a higher risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis C or developing allergic reactions. Swallowing the drug can lead to bowel gangrene caused by lessened blood flow.

Snorting the drug can cause:

  • Nosebleeds
  • Hoarse throat
  • Constant runny nose
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Lost sense of smell

Cocaethylene

When cocaine and alcohol are taken together, the two substances combine to create a new toxin called cocaethylene. This drug has a longer half-life than cocaine, which means it stays in the system longer. However, it brings with it an 18- to 25-fold increase in the risk of sudden death as compared to the use of cocaine alone and can lead to severe damage to body organs including the liver.

Mental Health Issues Caused by Cocaine Abuse and Addiction

When a cocaine user ingests the drug in a binge or regularly takes more and more over time, the result can be the development of a number of mental health symptoms.

These can include:

  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Hostility
  • Restlessness
  • Aggression or violence
  • Severe paranoia

In many cases, these issues pass with the drug as it leaves the body. However, when chronic abuse is an issue, they can be long lasting and require treatment to overcome. In the case of underlying mental health issues that are exacerbated by use of cocaine, Dual Diagnosis treatment is recommended.

Are All Methods of Cocaine Ingestion Deadly?

Yes. Though each method of cocaine ingestion produces a different intensity of high in a different amount of time, all introduce toxic levels of cocaine into the bloodstream and can cause an acute cardiac event that can end in seizure, coma, and death.

Treatment for Cocaine Abuse and Dependence

The National Institutes of Health report that about 13 percent of those who seek drug addiction treatment do so because they are dependent upon cocaine or crack. Like all drugs of abuse, an intensive and comprehensive treatment plan can help the addicted person to stop using the drug immediately and begin learning how to live life by making positive choices that promote wellness and health.

Treatment specifics will vary from patient to patient, but in general, cocaine addiction treatment may include:

  • Medication. There are no drugs specifically approved for the treatment of cocaine addiction and abuse, but there are a number of medications that are in research and have been shown to be effective to diminish cravings in early trials.
  • Behavioral therapies. A number of therapies have been proven to be effective choices in addressing cocaine abuse and addiction. Motivational incentives, specifically, have been proven beneficial in helping patients to remain dedicated to sobriety and continue to engage in therapy long enough to make progress and implement real change in their lives.
  • Group support. 12-Step groups and other support groups can help those in recovery to find the peer support they need to stay focused on their sobriety and remain committed to treatment principles on a day-to-day basis.
  • Additional treatment. Family therapy to improve relationships at home, alternative treatments that amplify recovery progress, therapies that address co-occurring mental health disorders, holistic treatments that improve stress relief, practical help for day-to-day challenges like legal assistance or updating job skills – all this and more can put the finishing touches on a treatment program that is truly comprehensive in preparing the patient to re-enter the real world.

Aftercare options should follow a comprehensive cocaine addiction treatment program. This should be a continuation of the therapies and treatments that worked during rehab and allow the patient to remain active in recovery for as long as necessary to avoid relapse.

Does Someone You Love Have a Cocaine Addiction?

Many family members struggle with discerning when cocaine addiction has become a problem that requires addiction treatment. In general, while no use of the drug is safe, when a person is unable to stop getting high despite a slew of negative consequences directly caused by their cocaine use, it’s time to seek help.

Remember that many people who struggle with cocaine abuse and addiction also struggle with other issues, including dependence upon or abuse of other substances, gambling addiction, and sex addiction. No matter what other issues are present, it is important to address them all through a comprehensive treatment program.

Find Help for Cocaine Addiction at Black Bear Rehab in Georgia

If your family member exhibits one or more of the signs above, the time is now to seek help. Comprehensive care that includes medical assistance and detox, as well as long-term psychotherapeutic treatment and aftercare services, is the key to a long and successful recovery. Here at Black Bear Lodge, our specialty is professional, intensive cocaine treatment personalized to meet the needs of challenges facing each individual as he or she begins to work toward balance in recovery.

Contact us today at 706-909-9811 to get the information you need to help your loved one take the first step toward a new life.

The Short- and Long-term Effects of Cocaine Use on Your Health

People may feel impervious to physical pain during a cocaine high. Despite that temporary burst of energy, people who use cocaine are harming their bodies, sometimes with irreparable or deadly consequences. Cocaine can be incredibly harmful to all vital systems of the body, and those who use cocaine can fall prey to illness during cocaine use or in the years that follow.

Short-term Impacts of Cocaine Use

A hit of cocaine produces profound changes in brain activity. Sometimes users feel happy, powerful or alert. But sometimes people are so overwhelmed by chemical changes caused by cocaine that they begin to behave erratically. They may hallucinate, twitch or tremble, and some people even engage in violent acts that others find confusing or frightening.

Cocaine also directly impacts the heart, according to the American Heart Association.1 A single hit of cocaine can make the heart beat with less force, and that can allow blood to pool within the body’s tissues. Cells might be starved for oxygen if the heart isn’t working properly, and they may call out for more blood. If the heart attempts to respond, a heart attack can follow, and that might lead to cardiac arrest and death, even in young people. These cocaine-related deaths are preventable.

“By 15, I was selling pot to support my own habits,” says Michelle of Heroes in Recovery. “By 16, I was trafficking cocaine to put money in my pocket. By 17, I was snorting it. At age 18 in tech training, I justified my using by thinking it helped me be able to get so much more accomplished. I could push myself longer and harder…I thought that was a good thing. If I could recovery, anyone can. Seek help, go to treatment, break the bondage of chemical enslavement to addiction; you’re worth so much more!”

The Long-term Impact of Cocaine Use

Heart difficulties that begin during a cocaine binge can last a lifetime. If heart muscle is constantly taxed and stressed due to the use of cocaine or other stimulants, it might develop such extensive tissue damage that it fails at a later date, and that heart failure might occur when the person is perfectly sober. Heart muscle can only take so much abuse, and if the user doesn’t stop damaging the heart with drugs, death can follow.

While most long-term dangers involve the heart, other body parts can also be impacted by a long-term cocaine habit, including:

  • Nasal passages
  • Digestive tissues
  • Intestines
  • Lungs

Any tissue that cocaine touches tends to contract, and blood flows out of the area until sobriety returns. Tissues that are starved of blood tend to die, and as pockets of dead tissue grow, infections can set in. Gangrenous tissues in these vital systems can cause blockages, or they could cause organ failure.

Brain changes are also common after long-term cocaine abuse. Most of these changes concern portions of the brain responsible for motivation and conditioning, meaning that people who abuse cocaine for long periods of time develop a biological need for the drug, and they’re not motivated to change that behavior.2 Even after sobriety begins, even a tiny exposure to a cue that reminds the person of cocaine can lead to a tremendous and overwhelming craving to use the drug again. It’s unclear if that craving ever goes away in people with a long history of cocaine addiction.

It’s clear that people who abuse cocaine for long periods do so at great risk to their health, and it’s also clear that those who just dabble in the use of the drug are engaging in habits that can lead to physical dangers and addiction in a short span of time. Thankfully, the treatment program at Black Bear Lodge can help. With counseling and support, people who struggle with substance use or mental health concerns can heal and begin a sober life. Give us a call at 706-909-9811.

The Risks of Cocaine Abuse

The use of cocaine rises and falls in the United States according to the latest trends, but one fact that doesn’t change is the number of devastating effects that use of the drug can have on its users, their families, and their communities at large.

Though many believe cocaine to be a designer drug that lost its popularity in the 1980s, the truth is that it is still a major drug of abuse in this country.

WebMD reports the following:

  • About 14 percent of adults in the United States have tried cocaine recreationally.
  • One in 40 US adults have used it at least once in the past year.
  • The biggest population to abuse the drug is men between the ages of 18 and 25.
  • Eight percent of men in this age group in the US used cocaine in the past year.

No use of cocaine is safe or positive. Whether the drug is used in its powder form or rock form (e.g., crack cocaine), its use can bring with it a slew of negative health problems, social issues, and mental health problems in both the short- and long-term.

Cocaine Use Alters Brain Function

The brain scans of someone who has been using cocaine for years are exceedingly different when compared to the brain scans of a non-cocaine user, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The dopamine receptors known as D2 in the brains of patients who abuse cocaine are far decreased, an issue that is linked to the decreased ability to experience natural rewards after addictive use of drugs. Repeated exposure to cocaine causes this issue, and in turn, makes it necessary for users of the drug to take larger and larger amounts of cocaine in order to get high. This increased tolerance is one of the signs of cocaine dependence.

Medical Health Concerns

The method of ingestion of cocaine will change the different risks of physical ailments that can result.

For Example, the Nida Reports That Those Who Snort the Drug Will Increase Their Chances of

  • Losing their sense of smell
  • Chronic nosebleeds
  • Irritation or breakdown of the nasal septum
  • Hoarseness and difficulty swallowing

Those who inject the drug, dissolving it in liquid and using a needle to ingest it, open themselves up to a wide range of health problems, including:

  • Extreme allergic reactions to the drug or an additive used to cut it
  • Infections at the injection site
  • Overdose due to the changing purity of the drug
  • Exposure to diseases that are passed through shared needles like hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS

Because cocaine use reduces the flow of blood throughout the body, all users have the chance of developing severe bowel gangrene. Additionally, decreased appetite is often such a problem among chronic cocaine users that malnutrition and all the health problems associated with it can result.

Overdose is not uncommon either. Because the drug increases the heart rate, cardiac arrest and other heart problems are often the cause of acute medical emergency and death.

Mental Health Issues Caused by Cocaine Abuse

In the short-term, users under the influence of cocaine may experience a wide range of negative mental health symptoms, including:

  • Anxiety
  • Panic
  • Full-blown panic attacks
  • Paranoia

When the drug is used in large amounts or for the long-term, these symptoms may not wear off with the drug. Many longtime users of cocaine report that they struggle with these symptoms all the time and find them debilitating. Unable to function in a normal relationship or maintain a job, many will require months or even years of treatment, recuperation, and abstinence from drug use of any kind to begin to find a sense of balance again.

Is Cocaine Abuse a Problem for Your Loved One?

Don’t ignore the issue if your loved one is abusing cocaine alone or in combination with other substances. Contact us at 706-909-9811 and find out how we can help them overcome their drug dependence today.

Signs of Cocaine Abuse

Once called a designer drug due to its high cost, cocaine is now a substance commonly used across all populations. Some people snort it as powder. Others dissolve it in water and inject it with a needle. Still, others combine it with various substances to create small rocks of crack, a substance named after the crackling sound it makes when heated.

Cocaine is a stimulant, but it may impact different people in slightly different ways.

The effects of cocaine vary according to:

  • The amount and purity of the dose
  • How often the person uses this drug
  • Other substances in the person’s system
  • Body weight, gender, or diet
  • The existence of underlying physical or mental health symptoms

Cocaine often makes behaviors more intense. It causes sharp circulatory changes as the heart works much harder to obtain oxygen, and can even lead to heart attack or death.3 These intense physical sensations are often combined with racing thoughts, intense emotions, and unusual thinking patterns.

Depending upon these variables, cocaine can make the user act friendly, very engaged in conversation and overwhelmingly energized – or it can make that person irritable, hostile, restless and unable to interact with others.

If you recognize the signs of cocaine abuse, you can take action, and help your loved one into treatment before it’s too late. You may want to consider offering residential treatment for your loved one, where a comprehensive team of supporters and licensed clinicians can assess for the damages done by stimulant use and prevent as many long-term repercussions as possible.

Is My Loved One Using Cocaine Now?

Are you not sure if your loved one is high or just having an exceptionally bad – or good – day? Cocaine produces intense and rapid mood swings in a brief period of time that are difficult to explain away.

Cocaine triggers the pleasure pathway in the brain, which usually translates into a euphoric high for users that lasts for only five to 10 minutes.

After this point, in most cases, those who are under the influence of the drug will often:

  • Move quickly
  • Talk fast
  • Seem overly animated
  • Be unable to slow down or focus
  • Be unable to sleep
  • Be unable to eat

After the drug has been in the system for about 20 minutes, irritability and discomfort set in – sometimes paranoia and suspicion of others as well – and, to relieve these feelings, many need more of the drug. Those who use cocaine often retreat to the bathroom or a private place to continually take more of the drug every 15 to 20 minutes.4

Slang Terms for Cocaine

Perhaps you have heard of many of the slang terms used to describe cocaine.

If you are worried about a loved one, keep an ear out for the following terms:

  • Coke
  • Crack
  • Crank
  • Snow
  • Flake
  • Blow

The Physical Changes and Depression After a Cocaine High

Days that follow the cocaine use period often reveal as much information about a cocaine problem cocaine high. Family members are often privy to this part of the cycle of drug abuse, which can aid them in identifying the suspected drug problem.

After a period of bingeing, cocaine users will often crash. They may feel tired, lethargic, depressed, or be completely unanimated for days. Many will crave the drug again, feeling that using even more cocaine is the only way to fend off these uncomfortable feelings.

There are also physical issues that can occur after a cocaine binge.

These will vary depending on the method of ingestion but can include:

  • Runny nose
  • Nose bleeds
  • Lost sense of smell
  • Paranoia
  • Marks at any possible injection site5
  • Tremor or muscle twitches

Cocaine Abuse and Addiction Treatment

If you believe that your loved one is living with a cocaine abuse or addiction problem, don’t wait for things to spiral out of control. Supportive psychotherapeutic treatment and intervention can help your loved one put cocaine abuse in the past and move forward toward a more healthy and balanced future.

Learn more about Black Bear Lodge’s evidence-based cocaine addiction treatment program by calling now at 706-909-9811. We’re standing by to assist you.

Sources

Substance Abuse

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