What Are the Signs of Cocaine Use?

What Are the Signs of Cocaine Use?

Cocaine addiction is a serious problem that leaves the addict in a state of confusion and a constant need for drugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cocaine is one of the most abused illegal drugs globally and can lead to dependence and adverse health effects such as cardiovascular and neurological damage. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 1.7% or 4.8 million people aged 12 or older reported using cocaine in 2021.

Understanding the signs of cocaine use can prevent a sad outcome and help someone get treatment. However, knowing these signs is somewhat complicated because they are intertwined with other medical conditions. This post will clarify your cocaine use symptoms and possible treatment options.

Grace Recovery is a drug and alcohol rehab center in Los Angeles. Contact us today to learn more about our cocaine addiction treatment and medical detox in LA.

How Does Cocaine Affect the Body?

Before discussing how cocaine affects the body, let’s discuss the substance. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug from the coca plant leaves, which is native to South America. It is typically used as a recreational drug and is known for its euphoric effects, increased energy, and heightened alertness. However, it is also highly addictive and can severely negatively affect physical and mental health.

Cocaine affects the body in several ways. It increases the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, which leads to increased energy, euphoria, and increased alertness. It can also cause constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, increased body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, headaches, and abdominal pain. Regular use of cocaine can lead to addiction and other harmful effects on the body, such as heart attack, stroke, and respiratory failure. Long-term use of cocaine can also lead to damage to the nose and sinuses, as well as to the lungs and other organs. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that most cocaine users are between 15 and 34 years and that the drug is responsible for many emergency room visits and overdose deaths.

What Are the Signs of Cocaine Use?

Signs of cocaine use include dilated pupils, increased heart rate and blood pressure, restlessness, agitation, and talkativeness. Other symptoms include nosebleeds (if snorted), burn marks on the fingers or lips (if smoked or injected), and weight loss. Long-term use of cocaine can also lead to insomnia, depression, and paranoia. Additionally, cocaine use can cause a person to become physically and mentally dependent on the drug, and withdrawal symptoms can occur when use is discontinued. These symptoms include fatigue, depression, and an intense craving for the drug.

What to Look For in a Cocaine Addiction Treatment Program

When looking for a cocaine addiction program, it’s essential to consider the following factors:

  • Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by a reputable organization, such as the Joint Commission or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
  • Evidence-based treatment: The program should use evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management, which are effective in treating cocaine addiction.
  • Individualized treatment plan: The program should develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient, considering their unique needs and circumstances.
  • Aftercare support: The program should provide aftercare support, such as ongoing counseling and support groups, to help patients maintain their recovery.
  • Addiction specialist: The program should have staff that specializes in addiction treatment, such as licensed counselors, psychologists, or psychiatrists.
  • Quality of staff: The program should have a high level of staff trained, licensed, and experienced in treating addiction.
  • Location and accessibility: Consider the program’s location and whether it is easily accessible by public transportation or by car.
  • Cost and Insurance: Check what your insurance coverage is, if the program is covered or offers other payment options.

Grace Recovery is a Cocaine Detox Center in Los Angeles

Grace Recovery is an evidence-based detox center that gives addicts the opportunity to have a better life. Located in Los Angeles, Grace Recovery is a healing and support community that offers multiple levels of support and care to addicts, helping them through their addiction treatment. Our staff follows a holistic approach that helps patients live drug and alcohol-free.

The first step to recovering from cocaine addiction is detoxification. This process flushes out the cocaine in the system to aid in faster recovery. Grace Recovery understands this step’s importance, which is why it takes it seriously. We thoroughly evaluate the patient by collecting enough information about their medical history, educating them about their addiction, and preparing each one for the next treatment step.Besides detoxification, we offer Los Angeles residential inpatient, intensive outpatient, dual-diagnosis, and aftercare programs. We believe in rehabilitation in regaining control of your life. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to get started. Contact us at (877) 554-7223.

How to Quit Using Cocaine

Although cocaine use has decreased in recent years, many people still abuse this substance. Addiction to this drug can cause many difficulties and even trigger overdose and deaths. As a result, you may need to get addiction treatment to help quit coke and stay away from this drug for good.

Why People Struggle to Quit Cocaine

Cocaine addiction is a severe problem that affects around six percent of the addiction community. Many people struggle to quit using this drug for several reasons. First of all, many get used to the effects of this substance and need them to achieve success in life. For example, some may think that they need the excess energy provided by coke to stay focused at work or in their day-to-day tasks. As a result, they keep on abusing this substance.

Even worse, many people simply don’t believe that they have a problem. Perhaps they make good money and don’t notice how much they lose every time they abuse cocaine. Or maybe they just can’t accept that they have an addiction. This situation often results in a person angrily defending their use. Some might even increase their use as a way of coping with the stress related to this drug abuse. Unfortunately, this may lead to severe complications.

Even those who understand that they have a problem may struggle to quit because they are embarrassed or think that they can’t afford their treatment. Others may want to avoid the painful symptoms of withdrawal that may make addiction treatment difficult. These symptoms include:

  • Decreased pleasure in life
  • Irritability and anxiety
  • Difficulty falling asleep
  • Malaise and depression
  • Suspicious and paranoid feelings
  • Lower energy and physical capabilities
  • Intense cravings for cocaine

Thankfully, people who abuse this drug rarely suffer the kind of withdrawal familiar with drugs like heroin or alcohol. This substance simply metabolizes too quickly from the body to cause these symptoms. However, withdrawal can include a crash that may last several days and extreme cravings that can last for up to 12 weeks. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome can cause many complications that may last for years. Thankfully, addiction treatment can help.

How Addiction Treatment Can Help

While quitting coke is possible without any help, it can be a challenge. Trying to stop abusing coke or other drugs without specialized help is known as “going cold turkey.” It basically means that you quit abusing cocaine without withdrawal treatment. Unfortunately, this can trigger many concerns that challenge your recovery. For example, you’ll have to:

  • Stop taking coke in a way that minimizes your withdrawal
  • Go through withdrawal symptoms that may occur anyway
  • Manage post-acute withdrawal syndrome as it develops
  • Disengage from people who trigger abuse in your life

These steps can be very painful and difficult to manage. For example, you may struggle to focus on your recovery without a plan. Though getting through physical withdrawal may only take a week or two, you may still crave coke. Even worse, you may fall back into addiction patterns of abuse because you focus only on the physical aspects of your recovery.

So while it is possible to quit coke without addiction treatment – many people do it every year – you should probably still get help. These programs include inpatient and residential rehab programs that help you better understand the behaviors that influence your substance abuse.

You can also get outpatient rehab if you have to go to work or take care of children. Either of these options are compatible with group counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dual-diagnosis care. In this way, you can beat addiction for good and live a happy and healthy life.

How Aftercare Can Help

Addiction treatment for coke doesn’t stop the moment you quit your rehab care. Many people walk out of rehab ready to stay focused on their new sobriety. However, others need to stay focused using methods like aftercare. This care option utilizes a multitude of unique treatments to ensure that you stay sober. For example, you can learn how to manage your abuse triggers properly.

As a result, you may want to seriously consider aftercare if you are trying to quit cocaine. Addiction to this substance may haunt you for life if you don’t take the time to manage the after-effects of your treatment. You also need to pay special attention to your aftercare options. These include counseling options and even sober living environments. Sign up for this care to ensure you don’t abuse coke again.

Let Us Help You Recover

At Grace Recovery, we can provide many care options for those in the Hollywood and Los Angeles, CA area. We utilize the most up-to-date addiction treatment program to give you access to the kind of care that you need to quit cocaine for good. Our care specialists use detoxification and a residential inpatient program to ensure that you re in no pain while you recover.