Cocaine was originally used in medicines, and even soda, but doctors soon realized cocaine’s addictive qualities and ability to alter brain function. The severity and lethality of this drug make it one of the most common and dangerous drugs on the street today. By exploring what cocaine is, we can determine why it’s so addictive, what impact it has on the body, and where and how to get help.

What Is Cocaine? 

Cocaine is a highly addictive substance derived from coca leaves. It can be found in both powder and salt or rock form. Cocaine is a stimulant that works to increase the release of dopamine in the brain, making the user feel more relaxed and even pain free.

Why Is Cocaine Addictive? 

Cocaine is addictive because of how it impacts the brain. The first hit of cocaine releases an enormous amount of dopamine into the system, creating a (sometimes) euphoric high. Over time, the body’s dopamine release develops a tolerance to the cocaine, requiring more to create the same high. Another thing that increases the addictiveness of cocaine are the extreme withdrawal symptoms. 

Cocaine is especially dangerous because of the multiple ways it can enter the body. Cocaine in powder form can be snorted or rubbed in the gums, it can be injected, or in rock form, crack cocaine can be smoked. Each of these different methods of ingesting cocaine vary the speed of the high and the length of the high. Smoking crack causes an immediate but shorter high, while injecting cocaine lengthens both the time to the initial high and how long you feel its effects. 

It can be very easy to overdose on stimulants like cocaine. Unlike heroin, Narcan/Naloxone does not work to reverse cocaine overdose. Often when EMS are called to a cocaine overdose, their only option is to attempt to treat the heart attack, stroke, or seizure and assist the person while they ride out the effects of the stimulant. 

Mixing cocaine with other drugs can be deadly. Alcohol and cocaine are a toxic and often violent combination. Cocaine is also often mixed with heroin to create a “speedball.” The speedball is so named because it can create a longer lasting and more intense high. Speedballing is one of the most dangerous and most common overdose situations because of how the stimulant and sedative affect the body’s functions.

Signs of Cocaine Addiction and Withdrawal

Cocaine is a stimulant for the body. While in controlled medications, stimulants can act to increase energy and focus and sharpen the mind. However, in uncontrolled situations, like illegal street use, incorrect amounts can lead to paranoia, hypersensitivity to touch, light and sound, and violent behavior.  Signs of cocaine addiction include hyperactivity, unexplained outbursts, itchiness, and weight loss. As the body’s tolerance to stimulants increases, more cocaine will be needed to create the same high. If not enough of the cocaine is taken, the high will be shorter and less enjoyable.

Withdrawal symptoms for cocaine include depression, fatigue, sluggishness, nightmares, insomnia, and increased appetite leading to weight gain. These depressive and slowed responses make the highs seem higher and the lows seem lower, thus continuing the toxic cycle of cocaine abuse. This cycle can only be broken with evidence-based addiction treatment.

How Does Short-Term and Long-Term Cocaine Use Affect the Body and Mind?

Cocaine affects the body from the first use.  Short term cocaine use can physically cause pupil dilation, decreased appetite, increased heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure. Mentally, short-term cocaine highs can facilitate hyper-focused functionality, or it has the potential to create hyper-focused anger. 

Long-term cocaine use can sometimes be identified through how the person ingests the drug. People who snort cocaine will often experience frequent nose bleeds and difficulty swallowing. Smoking crack can cause severe respiratory distress. When coke is rubbed on the gums, it can cause tooth decay and bowel problems. Injection not only increases the potential for overdose, but a host of other bloodborne pathogens that are transferred by sharing needles. 

Long-term cocaine use also impacts the brain severely. It can cause hallucinations, restlessness, anxiety, violence, and panic attacks. Long-term it can impact memory and attention span.  

If you or a loved one are experiencing cocaine addiction, get help now at the RAC addiction treatment center. 

Why RAC Is the Best Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center to Support You

The Robert Alexander Center (RAC) is a cocaine addiction treatment center in Mt. Washington, Kentucky. Our dedicated and compassionate clinicians are familiar with cocaine addiction and ready to support you from detox to aftercare.

Available 24-hours a day, our experienced staff can discuss our state-of-the-art facility, spa-like amenities, and most importantly, our individualized cocaine addiction treatment programs. 

At RAC, we combine traditional evidence-based therapies with alternative creative arts and movement therapies. Through our specialized programs we offer independent, group, and family therapy to support everyone impacted by addiction.

Call today: 1-502-443-9950

Visit us: RAC – Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center

Addiction is a mental illness that is painful, crushing, and lonely. Addiction knows no boundaries, and it envelopes your brain, dictating terms every day and reshaping your goals. Kentucky is at the forefront in fighting against drug and alcohol abuse. Heroin, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs are among the most abused drugs that destroy lives. Addiction not only affects the user but their family and society at large.

Approximately 159,000 Vermonters, 25.39% of the state population, engage in drug abuse. Another 6.39% abuse alcohol. Consequently, almost 21.11% of all deaths between 2008 and 2017 in Vermont resulted from drug and alcohol abuse. That is why Robert Alexander Center for Recovery is dedicated to helping patients experiencing drug and alcohol addiction discover their path to personal and long-term recovery.

What are Our Treatment Services?

At Robert Alexander Center for Recovery, compassionate care is our rule of thumb. We ensure all patients are treated with humane standards, and that is why Kentucky is a great addiction Treatment location for Vermont Residents.

Get help today with the following evidence-based treatment services:

Detoxification for Vermont Residents

The first step to healing once you recognize you need help is to detox and eliminate toxins from your body. It provides a clean slate for you to begin rebuilding your life without physical dependency. The detoxification process gets you in shape to begin your recovery program by getting rid of alcohol or drugs in your system. The severity of your addiction could call for a medically assisted detox to reduce cravings and assist with withdrawals.

Professionals at our Robert Alexander Center for Recovery Kentucky understand what you’re going through. They will be there to guide and supervise your detox process while creating a comfortable atmosphere to help ease your troubles.

Residential inpatient for Vermont Residents

Residential inpatient programs at Kentucky allow you to receive care while living in the facility. The inpatient care is intense and occurs after a drug detox to give you stability mentally and physically for one to three months. The residential term implies that you live in the facility but a more comfortable and home-like environment without the clinical vibe.

Residential care is a transition period that lasts longer and has more freedom to usher you into sobriety. You will have all the necessary amenities at our Kentucky residential inpatient treatment facility with a touch of modern luxury.

Intensive outpatient for Vermont Residents

Once you’ve completed a Kentucky inpatient program, attend intensive outpatient programs. They allow you to get back to your life routine while still working towards your recovery. Intensive outpatient programs in Kentucky require you to be in attendance every morning or evening on weekdays.

These treatment programs are ideal for those dealing with minor ailments and less severe addiction. They should also have solid support at home and from the community. There is little to no supervision with intensive outpatient programs. Therefore, you have to be self-driven to come in for all therapy sessions.

Another reason why Kentucky is a great treatment location for Vermont residents is that you must undergo an assessment to determine your unique needs before joining the program. A personalized recovery program is created to suit those needs.

Outpatient program for Vermont Residents

Many drug and alcohol addiction patients fail to receive the much-needed care to responsibilities they have to commit to daily. An outpatient program is an ideal option for them, especially when they cannot leave school, work, or need to be with family. With our Kentucky outpatient program, you mustn’t check into the facility, but you will receive the best care, the same level as inpatient programs.

You can keep living your life undisrupted by coming in for treatment some days during the week but still reside at home. Attend treatment sessions to receive medication, counseling, and therapy if it’s part of your treatment plan.

Aftercare and Alumni

You reap the rewards of rehab when you get back control over your life. However, recovery is a process you have to cultivate throughout your life by putting into practice what you have learned during your treatment.

Robert Alexander Recovery Center focuses on giving every patient a personalized approach for their path to ensure lasting success. This is why Kentucky is a great addiction treatment location for Vermont residents. Part of the aftercare and alumni program involves family and continued therapy to ensure you get the support you need for long-term recovery.

Get help today

Visit us today to get help for you or your family at Robert Alexander Center for Recovery. Our professionals will provide an assessment and create a personalized approach to start you on evidence-based treatment for your addiction. We’re here for you all the way to ensure you have a long-lasting recovery.