How To Quit Cocaine: Practical Steps And Support Options
A white powder that brings happiness. Cocaine has often been written about in books and talked about in popular movies. Just one breath and life plays with different colors. As it turns out, it's not that simple. And the protagonist of a book novel or movie behind the scenes faces the consequences of serious addiction.
The good news is that cocaine addiction can be cured. We'll tell you how best to do it. But first, you need to understand how cocaine works.
What cocaine is and how it affects people
The white powder obtained from coca leaves, which has a stimulant effect, is called cocaine. It is usually inhaled through the nose. The drug enters the bloodstream through the mucosa and begins to affect the brain within minutes.
The euphoric effect caused by cocaine is due to the artificial increase in dopamine levels. Dopamine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of joy, satisfaction, and motivation. This is why it is often referred to as the hormone of happiness and pleasure.
Other effects that cocaine causes include:
increased energy and concentration;
a desire to socialize;
heightened perception of sounds, colors, touch;
decreased appetite, decreased need for sleep.
Against this background, the pulse usually increases, blood pressure and temperature, blood vessels constrict and pupils dilate. Existing health problems may worsen. Cocaine use can lead to heart attack, stroke and death.
Dependence develops gradually and always individually, usually within a week. In some cases, a single dose is enough for a person to return to the drug again and again. The danger is that constant use leads to the development of tolerance – higher and higher doses of cocaine are required to achieve euphoria. One day this can lead to an overdose. This is very likely to happen because cocaine is often mixed with other substances and used together with alcohol.
How cocaine addiction is treated
To beat cocaine addiction, a comprehensive approach that includes behavioral and psychosocial therapy is used.
Sequence of treatment:
medication detox. The procedure is aimed at overcoming painful sensations during the first days after drug withdrawal;
rehabilitation. The main task is to consolidate the result and teach the patient how to live a sober life. Rehabilitation can take place in outpatient conditions (partial hospitalization) or inpatient. For example, in rehabs you can undergo a month-long cocaine addiction treatment program – there are many such clinics in California. Here, qualified medication and psychological help is provided 24/7;
socialization and aftercare. After the clinic, the person who had an addiction will receive advice on how to restore old and establish new contacts among sober people.
If we describe the treatment of cocaine addiction in two words, it is a combination of properly selected medications and psychotherapy (individual, group, family).
Why home treatment is dangerous
Withdrawal symptoms can affect the general and mental state of a person with an addiction. Anxiety, aggression, depression, fever, and heart palpitations are not the only signs of withdrawal symptoms. This condition can last for weeks, and not every person is able to endure this ordeal without support. Therefore, drug withdrawal should be supervised by specialists.
What you need to do to quit
The first step towards treatment is to recognize the problem. On your own or with the help of loved ones, you must realize that using cocaine will not make you truly happy, will subsequently worsen your health, and may even lead to death.
Here is a simple sequence of actions you can use:
record your thoughts on paper. Write down what you want to say to your loved ones and doctors;
ask your family for help – they can help you find a specialist;
make an appointment with your doctor for counseling and testing, visit with your loved one who supports you;
follow your doctor's recommendations. Be prepared for the fact that he will advise you to undergo treatment in a rehabilitation center.
There are thousands of treatment centers in the United States, and not all of them are effective. To make the right choice, you can rely on reviews. It is also recommended to make a list of questions, the answers to which will help you make an informed decision.
What you need to find out from the staff of the rehabs:
what is the price of treatment;
whether there is a possibility of treatment by insurance;
the time frame for admission – how quickly rehabilitation can begin;
what recovery programs are used;
how to get to the clinic, whether they can help with this.
And the most important thing to remember is that any difficulties can be overcome. Never give up the support of people who care about you and follow the plan.