Cocaine Addiction Treatment

A complete guide to the cocaine addiction treatment and rehabilitation

Are you or anyone in your family struggling with cocaine addiction? Is it damaging your health, work and relationships? Wondering about the best treatment for cocaine addiction? If so, then you are on the right page. Today, in this blog post, we will share the most common and effective treatments for cocaine addiction.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse report says that, in America, over 15% of adults have tried cocaine in their lifetime. Another report suggests that 6% of all the hospitalization or rehabilitation for drug abuse treatment account for cocaine addiction. Most people seeking cocaine addiction treatment are likely to use polydrug.

The treatment providers for cocaine addiction must recognize that this complex treatment can cause significant changes in the mental, social and familial behavior of the abuser. Therefore the therapy requires different behavioral interventions.

Before we dive into the cocaine addiction treatment, let’s have a look at cocaine addiction and its effects.  

What is drug abuse or addiction? 

Recognizing your loved ones feeling stuck in the addiction can be painful. The term addiction is often misunderstood. We blame the people for the irregular behaviors that are entirely out of their control.

Addiction is the incredibly pleasurable feeling that occurs due to interaction between the drug or substance and the brain’s reward center. The repetitive use of a particular substance increases the brain’s dependency, and eventually, addiction occurs. As a result of addiction, abusers lose their interest in everyday activities and often go out of the way to fulfill their needs.  

What is cocaine?

Cocaine is a simulating drug obtained from the coca plant (especially leaves). It’s usually found in the market in different forms, such as white powder, rocks or crystals in the crack form. The drug intake in either way like smoking, injecting, and snorting can impart the euphoric or energizing feeling that remains for a few minutes or hours. Comedown of cocaine is unpleasant.

Although cocaine was used for medical treatment, but scientists or doctors noticed its highly addictive effects. So today, the drug is used only for anesthetic purposes. The US Drug Enforcement Agency classified cocaine as a Schedule II narcotic.

However, the illegal use is increasing with every passing year. According to a study, 5.6% of students in the US with Hispanic backgrounds have used any form of cocaine in their life. In 2019, over 2 million kids in the USA of above 12 years admitted to using cocaine once a month. So the prevalence of cocaine addiction is also increasing among young students. Isn’t it alarming? Yes, it is?

Slang terms 

Coke, powder, crack, blow, ice, and rock are the common terms for cocaine.

Common ways of cocaine use

People take cocaine in different ways, such as

1. Inhalation through nose
2. Oral intake either by swallowing or rubbing on the gums
3. Smoking of crystalized crack or freebase form of cocaine
4. IV injection after dissolution in water

Smoking and IV injection produces the most intense effect on the users. One of the most harmful thing about cocaine is that the drug dealers adulterate it with any other product. Usually, 50 percent is the average purity of cocaine in America. However, you can mix cocaine with harmless products such as starch or sugar.  

Cocaine addiction and its Effects 

The limited cocaine use yields stimulating effects. The rise in the dopamine effects due to cocaine provides euphoria and a feeling of satisfaction.

It heightens your pleasure and alleviates the desire to eat food and sleep. Some individuals believe that cocaine helps them to accomplish difficult tasks more efficiently and rapidly. However, the frequent intake of cocaine imparts negative impacts on physical and mental health.

The cocaine addiction effects on the brain are as follows.

• Panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Anger
• Irritation
• Anxiety and depression
• Impaired judgment
• Hallucinations
• Other effects of cocaine addiction include
• Frequent weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Seizers
• Elevated heart rate
• Headache and stroke
• Sleep disorders
• Nasal congestion
• Dilation of pupil
• Muscle twitches
• High blood pressure
• Hepatitis
• Respiratory problems
• Weak immunity and many more

Cocaine nose

Cocaine nose (also known as coke nose) is a physical condition or deformity caused due to chronic use of cocaine. The regular snorting of the drug constricts the blood vessels in the nose and, after some time, kills the tissues, eventually resulting in painful sores in the lining of the nose. This might cause holes in the septum, scaring and infection within the nose.

The other nose issues related to cocaine abuse are

• Difficulty in breathing through the nose
• Rapid infections
• Loss of sense of smell
• Bad breath 
  

Is it possible to overcome cocaine addiction on your own?

Yes, it is possible, but overcoming cocaine addiction on your own is not a good option. This method is likely to give you less definite results than a professional treatment.

While determining the physical and mental symptoms of cocaine use disorder can help you know if someone needs to be treated. Once you get the confirmation of drug abuse, the first phase of the treatment is detox.

People often do a detox on their own, but it poses severe physical risks. So it’s better that you consider the support or assistance of cocaine detox professionals for detoxing.  

Detox and cocaine withdrawal 

There is no immediate or quick method to fix cocaine addiction. However, comprehensive treatment programs are ideal for overcoming drug abuse. Such programs start with a medically assisted cocaine detox program. Are you trying to do detoxing at home? Stop it immediately because it can be dangerous.

Detox or any other cocaine addiction treatment should be done in the medically monitored environment. Thus make sure that you or your loved ones should be admitted to the hospital during cocaine withdrawal. The 24/7 monitoring of the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms of the abuser is highly recommended.

The process of cocaine detox eliminates the toxins from the body. Enrolling yourself in the medical detox program is a simple way to stop the use of cocaine. The specialists and other paramedical staff monitor the vitals and provide comfort and ease to the patients. Here is no medical treatment that assists in cocaine addiction treatment. So, commonly 3 to 10 weeks are required for the complete recovery of the individual.

The common cocaine withdrawal symptoms due to detoxing are as follows;

• Increased craving
• Anxiety and depression
• Sleeplessness
• Nightmares
• Muscle twitches
• Cold and chills
• Concentration problems

Cocaine Withdrawal Chart

Rehabilitation for cocaine addiction treatment

Many rehabilitation centers offer different programs for the treatment of cocaine addiction. The 30 and 60-day programs are most common. But the National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends the 90 days or longer treatment program for best outcomes.

A long term treatment program allow the abusers to maintain their sobriety in a safe place. Such rehabilitation centers also allow them to know about different life skills and understand various medical interventions for the treatment of addiction.  

Inpatient cocaine rehab 

The comfortable addiction treatment centers typically offer inpatient cocaine rehab. The patients are given sufficient time to adjust themselves to their sober lifestyle. The inpatient cocaine rehab treatments include behavioral therapy, educational lectures, 12 step interventions, and medical treatment.

Goals: the primary purpose of such rehab centers is to determine people’s negative behavior that assists them in addiction and put relapse prevention strategies to help them avoid cocaine use in the future.

Many professionals like registered counselors, recovery specialists, physicians and therapists work on the clients. Working with such individuals helps the clients develop their recovery support network to depend on the future.

Cost and payment: The cost of drug addiction treatment varies in every rehab center. Most centers work under insurance companies that help the client to pay hefty bills. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) helps the employees to bear the cost of addiction treatments. Other payment options are

• Third-party health care loans
• Limited out of pocket payment 
  

Outpatient cocaine rehab 

The inpatient residential program must be the top priority for the treatment of severe cocaine addiction. It easily helps the abuser to manage detoxification under the supervision of experts.

However, if the problem is caught in the early stages of addiction, then an outpatient rehab program is a good option. It is the ideal choice for people who are motivated to fight against the drug of abuse but need the flexibility to adjust to their routine life.

The outpatient rehab program allows the scheduled treatment sessions that take place anytime throughout the week. This flexible schedule allows the patients to continue their routine activities. The format of outpatient rehab programs includes counseling, the network of support and education.

People having a strong will, disciplined approach, and commitment can easily succeed in their journey.

Types 

Day programs: The day programs offer intense care to individuals within the outpatient setting. The client is obliged to attend the meeting of multiple hours for 5 to 7 days every week. The therapies in day programs include group counseling, ongoing therapy, biofeedback, art or music therapy etc.

Intense outpatient programs (IOP): Such programs design a special treatment plan with definite goals to ensure progress. Once the small goals are achieved, the daily visit decreases. The IOP is the best choice for those who want to deal with drug addiction. The program includes multiple counseling sessions for few hours each week.

Continuing care: Such outpatient rehab centers provide ongoing support to assist people in sticking to their commitment. The registered therapists work in such groups.  

Treatment of cocaine addiction

Physical, mental, environmental and genetic factors are responsible for cocaine addiction. There are different methods of cocaine addiction treatment. Let’s have a look at them. 

Behavioral interventions 

For people with cocaine addiction, behavioral treatments are the best. Such treatment is based on residential treatment programs. Medications are also important, along with behavioral therapy. Behavioral treatment goals include meet up to motivate the stoppage of drug use, teaching-learning process, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

The type of treatment that you get during your journey depends upon different factors such as aims and goals, the latest progress report, the existence of any co-occurring mental disease and your current care level.

1.    Teletherapy 

With developments and advancements, online counseling or teletherapy services are effectively used to treat mental health. There was a time when addiction patients were compelled to seek therapy through online meetings, but now the internet connectivity has made things far easier. For individuals fighting with drug abuse or mental health problems, teletherapy treatments are the best.

2.    Paired dual diagnosis treatment 

Mental health issues and addictions are often related to various causes. When both share the same time, they are called a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. In most cases, the people already dealing with mental health problems self-medicate themselves with the drug of abuse. However, in other cases, drug abuse leads to mental health issues. In any situation, addressing one condition and ignoring the other can drastically reduce the chances of positive outcomes.

3.    Cognitive-behavioral therapy 

This therapy is frequently used in residential or outpatient cocaine rehabs. In this therapy, the specialist helps the individuals learn to determine their stimulating thoughts and feelings that evoke their desire to take the substance of abuse. It may include different ways to manage cravings and negative thoughts.

4.    Contingency management 

This is another treatment approach that is used in various settings. In this therapy, the doctors reward the individuals for not using the cocaine. This is practiced to assist them in developing the skills and control the triggers of drug use. This method is highly effective in the initial days of drug recovery. Studies claim that contingency management is the most promising treatment method.

5.    Community reinforcement 

This method aims to develop a supportive social network around the individuals who show positive contingency management results. This involves job skills training, relationship counseling, and recreational activities.

6.    1:1 therapy 

1:1 therapy offers an ideally confidential environment where you can organize the record of your successes and failures during the recovery journey. It also allows you to talk about the problems you may not address in group sessions. Through this method, you can also get the personalized feedback from the experts.

7.    Group therapy 

It provides a space for the individuals to share their insight and practice healthy communication with the trained or experienced professionals in a healthy environment. It also allows them to know other people’s experiences who have successfully recovered from the cocaine addiction.

8.    Motivational interviewing 

This is the first and important step that takes place at the start of the treatment. Motivational interviewing allows individuals to determine the ways addiction comes in their path. This method is made to assist patient’s combat apathy and feels motivated or excited for their recovery.  

Transitional housing program 

Have you completed your sessions at inpatient or outpatient rehab centers? Are you done with your cocaine addiction treatment? No, not at all! A person should continue to fight his addiction with a sober living program or transitional housing program. These safe, clean and structured homes aim to provide the ease of transferring from cocaine rehab to independent sober living.

These programs want that an individual lives in a sober environment and adhere to program requirements and policies. Moreover, the combination of personal monitoring, assistance in education and AA or NA meetings enhances the probability of achieving success within their sobriety.

Aftercare programs 

Once the individuals succeed in their recovery from cocaine addiction, they must enroll themselves in aftercare programs. Aftercare programs are subjected to weekly check-in and are intended to provide continued support to the people.

The licensed counselors and therapists arrange the group meetings to devise the plan to help people in beating the ongoing challenges of early sobriety. The complete recovery from cocaine addiction is a long-term process that needs the daily effort to return to normal life.

At Regency Recovery Wellness center in Prescott AZ  offers a comprehensive cocaine addiction, and dual diagnosis treatment program. At our cocaine addiction treatment programs in Arizona we will help you treat both the physical symptoms of cocaine addiction and the mental problem that comes with it, as a root cause for that addiction. Addiction treatment programs and addiction therapy services in Prescott Arizona include:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Holistic Therapy Program
Adventure Therapy Program
Medication-Assisted Treatment Program
Partial Hospitalization Program
Vocational Development Program
Intensive Outpatient Program
Mental Health Treatment Program
Partial Hospitalization Program

Final thoughts 

The common treatment for cocaine addiction is counseling. However, staying within the rehabilitation center and taking sessions with professionals can help you alter your behaviors and thought process. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and individual drug counseling are also the most effective ways of treatment of cocaine use disorder.

If you have the interest to seek treatment from medical detox centers, then it’s a good idea, but remember, for this, you have to pay a huge amount out of your pocket. Most insurance companies don’t have packages that cover hospitalization for withdrawal symptoms. No medicine in the market can be used for the treatment of cocaine.

Had your doctor followed any of the above therapy? Did they help you out? Share your experiences with us in the comment section below.