Cocaine is an illegal stimulant drug that still accounts for a meaningful amount of substance abuse across the United States. One complicating factor in cocaine addiction treatment is that many cocaine users are poly-drug users. This means they use cocaine plus other drugs at the same time, with alcohol being one of the most common pairings. Mental health disorders can also co-occur with cocaine addiction, thereby making the recovery process more complex. 
Still, help is available, and recovery can be achieved with the proper support. At Serenity Grove, our cocaine addiction treatment program in Georgia can help you or a loved one put cocaine down for good and create new pathways to recovery. Call us now at 844.904.3485 to learn more about substance abuse treatment near you.
Why Is Cocaine So Addictive?
Cocaine, often called coke for short, is a stimulant. Users ingest cocaine in multiple different ways through smoking, injecting, or snorting. When accounting for global drug use, cocaine is estimated to be the second-most-used drug in the world.
One reason that cocaine is so addictive is that it acts on the reward centers in the brain. Taking cocaine activates those reward centers, tricking the brain into thinking that using cocaine is a good thing for the mind and body. Cocaine use causes intense euphoria, at least in the early stages. But the way it floods the reward centers also causes the brain to adjust its natural chemical balance to account for the presence of cocaine.
Then later, when cocaine is not present, the brain feels like it has a deficit. Reaching this state is called dependence, which means a person has developed a psychological need for cocaine. Reaching this state means withdrawal symptoms are likely between uses or when a person tries to stop using. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:
- Depression and anxiety
- Concentration issues
- Fatigue
- Aches and pains
- Appetite changes
- Restlessness
- Agitation
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Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction, like other substance use disorders, presents a range of signs and symptoms which can be physical, behavioral, and psychological. Here are some common signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
- Dilated pupils.
- Reduced appetite and weight loss.
- Nasal congestion and damage to the nose if snorted.
- Track marks on the skin if injected.
- Restlessness or hyperactivity.
- Insomnia or changes in sleep patterns.
- Increased frequency of taking cocaine.
- Spending a lot of time and money on obtaining and using cocaine.
- Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home.
- Engaging in risky behaviors, like driving under the influence.
- Social withdrawal or changes in social circles.
- Legal issues related to cocaine use.
- Continued use despite physical or psychological harm.
- Euphoria or feeling extremely high.
- Increased confidence and over-excitement.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment Starts With Detox
The first step in cocaine addiction treatment is detox. This is the process of stopping cocaine use. It can take up to a few weeks to conduct detox. The detox process can happen in either an inpatient or an outpatient facility, depending on the cocaine addiction treatment center. Both residential and outpatient rehab can help people recover. Which structure is best depends on a person’s situation, their history of cocaine use, and how severe their addiction is.
Once detox is complete, the majority of cocaine addiction treatment is delivered through behavioral therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, and rational emotive behavior therapy. Each of these therapies is described in more detail in the following section.
Serenity Grove’s Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center Therapy Options
Serenity Grove’s cocaine addiction treatment center offers numerous therapy options to every client based on their needs and treatment goals. As mentioned earlier, three of the best therapies for treating cocaine addiction are cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, and rational emotive behavioral therapy.
First, cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people change their thoughts and behaviors by targeting unhealthy psychological patterns. It is very action-oriented and geared toward helping people replace poor physical and mental habits with more positive ones that encourage recovery.
Second, contingency management is an incentive-based approach. This means that a therapist will work with a client on setting goals during recovery. Meeting these goals results in being rewarded with things or experiences that promote recovery. Contingency management is an especially good approach for people who need extrinsic motivation as part of overcoming addiction.
Third, rational emotive behavioral therapy is a form of counseling that emphasizes helping people tear down irrational or untrue beliefs that hold them back from recovery. For instance, someone may have developed a belief that they are flawed or are not worthy of healing, or have made mistakes too big to be fixed. This type of therapy works to replace those false self-beliefs with rational thoughts.
Benefits of Cocaine Addiction Treatment in Georgia
In cases of dual diagnosis disorders, where an individual suffers from both substance abuse and a mental health disorder, cocaine addiction treatment is particularly beneficial, addressing both the addiction and the co-occurring mental health condition simultaneously. This is crucial because treating only one issue while neglecting the other can lead to an incomplete recovery and a higher risk of relapse.
Overcome Cocaine Addiction in Georgia Today!
Your healing journey can start today. Contact Serenity Grove at 844.904.3485 to learn more about beating cocaine addiction. You can also reach us through our online form. Lasting recovery is possible, and we can help.
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