Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is a stimulant that results in nervous system excitation which brings feelings of euphoria throughout the body.

Cocaine is often known as a white-collar drug because in pure form it is very expensive however when cut and mixed with impure ingredients, this illegal stimulant can be affordable to anyone resulting in its widespread use and even more dangerous side effects.

Cocaine overdose can be lethal and long-term use can wreak havoc on the body causing complications affecting nearly every organ.

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Signs & Symptoms of Cocaine Toxicity

Acute cocaine toxicity can range from dilated pupils and a racing heart to generalized seizures and cardiac arrest. Depending on the purity and the dosage, death can occur within two to three minutes to 30 minutes.

The following are signs and symptoms of acute cocaine toxicity:

Dilated pupils
Profuse sweating
Elevated heart rate
Elevated blood pressure
Vertigo
Muscle twitching
Pseudohallucinations (cocaine bugs)
Euphoria

Restlessness
Bruxism (grinding of the teeth)
Emotionally labile
An impending sense of doom
Generalized seizures
Cardiac arrhythmias
Severe hyperthermia

Behavioral symptoms of cocaine addiction

Treatment for Cocaine Addiction, how we can help

Treatment for cocaine withdrawal should take place under strict supervision in a professional detox treatment program where the individual can be monitored and psychotherapy can be initiated.

Despite the fact that cocaine addiction is a widespread public health problem, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any cocaine withdrawal medications.

However, researchers are investigating several different types of drugs to help treat cocaine use.

Detoxification is the initial stage of treatment and works to eliminate cocaine from the body over time. On average detoxification takes 48-72 hours but can be longer for some individuals. Once detoxification is complete, the client will enter into a residential treatment center where they will learn positive coping skills through psychotherapy approaches, will understand what triggers their addiction and will be involved in group and family therapy meetings.

Depending on the level of care and the seriousness of the cocaine use disorder, clients usually spend on average 30-90 days in treatment.

Once the client has successfully completed treatment for their cocaine addiction, they are strongly encouraged to actively participate in outpatient therapy, community, and support groups as a way to maintain sobriety.

Akua Mind Body Treatment Program

Akua Mind Body is a full-service treatment program that offers a wide range of “east meets west” treatment modalities for many different populations struggling with heroin addiction and substance use and mental health disorders. We offer both intensive inpatient programs as well as outpatient treatment. Akua Mind Body works diligently with each client and their family to ensure that their depressive disorder treatment plan is specifically tailored to their needs, and not just their disorder.

Details on withdrawing from Cocaine:

When cocaine use is stopped or when a binge ends, a crash follows almost immediately. The cocaine user has a strong craving for more cocaine during a crash.

Other symptoms include fatigue, lack of pleasure, anxiety, irritability, sleepiness, and sometimes agitation or extreme suspicion or paranoia.

Cocaine withdrawal often has no visible physical symptoms, such as the vomiting and shaking that accompany withdrawal from heroin or alcohol and is generally not life-threatening.

Signs & Symptoms of Cocaine withdrawal

Difficulty concentrating
Fatigue or exhaustion
Anhedonia, or the inability to feel pleasure
Inability to experience sexual arousal
Depression or anxiety
Physical symptoms, such as chills, tremors, muscle aches, and nerve pain
Suicidal thoughts or actions
Increased craving for cocaine
Increased appetite
Vivid, unpleasant dreams or nightmares
Slowed activity, or physical fatigue after activity
Slower thinking
Restlessness

Medical complications associated with cocaine use

Cocaine can affect many organs in the body including the brain and the heart. Since cocaine is usually snorted through the nose, nosebleeds and a deviated nasal septum are common physical findings associated with cocaine use.

The following are additional complications associated with cocaine use:

Altered mental status
Weight loss
New-onset seizures
Chest pain
Intracranial hemorrhage (brain bleed)
Myocardial infarctions (heart attacks)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
An increased likelihood of violence
Cocaine can also be injected into the bloodstream resulting in blood-borne complications such as hepatitis and HIV.
Crack lung: A term used by medical professionals to describe lung findings in individuals who smoke cocaine. Crack lung syndrome is characterized by diffuse inflammation of the lung and areas of a hemorrhage resulting in pneumonia, coughing up blood (hemoptysis) or respiratory failure.