Cocaine Addiction
Typically used as a social drug due to the common boost of confidence and feeling of euphoria that the user experiences, taking cocaine is highly addictive and can lead to repetitive use in normal environments and create a vicious cycle of substance abuse. According to reports, deaths between 2013 and 2022 almost quadrupled from 169 to 857 in England and Wales, indicating a serious cocaine issue facing people in the UK.
Getting help is the best way to treat a cocaine addiction but first, it’s important to understand the causes of cocaine, how it affects the body and what options are available to treat cocaine addiction.
What is Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine addiction refers to an individual’s inability to withdraw from cocaine use for a prolonged period. Cocaine is an addictive substance to ingest once taken and can lead to continuous use which can impact an individual’s overall wellbeing.
Causes of Cocaine Addiction
Individuals can become easily addicted to cocaine due to its highly addictive ingredients, and due to other internal and external factors that cause continuous use of the drug.
Genetics
Individuals can be more genetically predisposed to becoming addicted to substances due to their genetics. Despite genetics not being a root cause of cocaine use, those with a history of family members have a higher risk of becoming addicted to the drug which can lead to further cocaine use.
Environmental Factors
Social and cultural factors can impact an individual’s cocaine use and addictive behaviours. Being a part of a social group or living within an encouraged drug-taking culture can increase the chances of an individual taking cocaine and becoming addicted to the drug.
Signs of Cocaine Addiction
There are common signs of cocaine addiction that can be displayed by an individual’s behaviour or physical health symptoms. These signs can be displayed when they are withdrawn from the drug, showing signs of reliance on the drug, and when they are presently displaying active symptoms from cocaine.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
Addictive substances display physical and psychological symptoms within an individual when they are withdrawn from the drug. The body and the mind can become reliant on a drug after use which causes distressing symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
- Shaking
- Irritation
These symptoms can be difficult to experience when withdrawn from cocaine which can lead to the individual to continuous use to postpone them. This causes a vicious cycle of cocaine use and can lead to damaging long-term physical and psychological health issues further down the line.
Lifestyle Changes
One of the main signs of cocaine addiction is the changes in an individual’s lifestyle choices and a reliance on cocaine-fuelled activity. Addiction can change someone’s lifestyle choices to centre around the use of the drug. This can turn someone, once exercise-driven or career-focused, to be withdrawn and uninterested in their previous passions.
Breakdown in Relationships
Cocaine use can be detrimental not only to the individual but also to their loved ones. In addition to the financial strain of cocaine use, one of the main signs of cocaine addiction is a behaviour change that can lead to breakdowns in relationships between the user and their family and friends.
Impacts of Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction can seriously affect an individual’s overall well-being, harming their physical health and psychological health. Cocaine can alter the way the body and the mind function, causing long-term issues that can debilitate someone’s quality of life.
Physical Health Impacts
The use of cocaine can affect various bodily functions which can lead to long-term health issues. When ingested cocaine travels around the body’s bloodstream and through vital organs that are responsible for daily bodily functions. Continuous use of cocaine can lead to:
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Decreased appetite
- Muscle tremors
- Sexual dysfunction
- Kidney damage
- Weakened immune system
Psychological Health Impacts
Cocaine use can alter the brain’s neuropathways which affect how we think, feel and behave. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, a hormone that affects someone’s emotions and thoughts, can be affected due to continuous cocaine use.
Altering the neurotransmitters in the brain can lead to serious long-term cognitive and functional issues, affecting their behaviour and experiencing:
- Large mood swings
- Depressive or anxious thoughts
- Reduced ability to feel happy
- Impaired decision making
- Slower motor skills
- Poor memory
Find Out More About Beating Cocaine Addiction
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Treatments for Cocaine Addiction
To overcome cocaine addiction and prevent relapsing in the future, various types of addiction treatments are available. In the UK, there are free treatment options available for treating cocaine addiction, however, private treatment has many supported benefits for long-term recovery.
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings are local, support groups that are set up by an organisation to provide free group meetings for people suffering from drug addiction. The meetings are based locally throughout the United Kingdom, so are easily accessible and they don’t cost money to take part in.
The meetings provide a safe space for individuals with drug addiction to meet in a group setting and speak to people with similar experiences. Isolation is often associated with addiction, possibly due to the feeling of shame or guilt, so NA meetings offer an opportunity to speak to others and be honest about thoughts and feelings.
Cocaine Rehabilitation
Cocaine rehabilitation entails withdrawing from the drug and remaining abstinent throughout a treatment programme. During rehabilitation, individuals take part in various types of addiction treatments to overcome their cocaine addiction. Inpatient rehabilitation is available, which requires individuals to stay overnight in a treatment centre throughout their treatment programme, whilst outpatient rehabilitation offers treatment at home or in a public building.
Rehabilitation offers the opportunity to take part in a series of addiction treatments that use psychological or holistic therapies that help the individual understand their addiction and find ways to manage it in the future. This includes treatments such as:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Group therapy
- One-on-one therapy
- Holistic therapies
Free rehabilitation treatment is available on the NHS in the United Kingdom, however waiting times can be long and this can prolong the addiction issue before receiving professional help.
Private rehabilitation treatment costs money for the duration of the programme, however, it has many benefits that make it more favourable for relapse prevention such as:
- Leading therapists
- Dedicated medical staff
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Supportive environment
- Nutritional programmes
- Aftercare and support
Find Out More About Rehabilitation For Cocaine Addiction
To find out more information about how rehabilitation can help with recovery then speak to us today. We offer free advice and support about rehabilitation and can help you find rehabilitation centres in your area that suit your requirements.