This means they may find it difficult to manage their use of cocaine and may experience addiction in the most severe cases of SUD. Using cocaine can cause changes to the brain, such as in the reward system, resulting in a buildup of dopamine and making it difficult for someone to stop using the substance. If you’re worried about your cocaine use, you can contact us to arrange a free addiction assessment and discuss possible treatment options for drug addiction. At Priory, we offer world-class treatment and detoxification for cocaine addiction at a network of UK hospitals and wellbeing centres. Aftercare is a huge part of staying on track in your recovery from cocaine addiction.
What Does It Mean To Have a Substance Abuse Problem?
Among the most severe of these risks is overdose, a medical emergency that can result in various physical and mental health consequences, including death. Cocaine affects the brain’s dopamine system, flooding the brain with this chemical, which results in feelings of euphoria, energy, and enhanced alertness. This increase in dopamine is why cocaine can be so addictive — users often seek to replicate the initial “high” repeatedly. However, repeated use increases the risk of dependence, long-term health issues, and severe addiction. It’s important to address myths about cocaine, such as the false belief that occasional use is harmless, as even infrequent use can lead to severe mental health consequences. Using it increases your risk of serious and sometimes life-threatening medical conditions like heart attack, stroke and drug overdose.
To make more money, dealers may “cut” the drug with other substances, like flour, baking soda, cornstarch, or talcum powder. They can also add other drugs like amphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, or procaine. Strong cravings – both physical and psychological- for more cocaine often occur either before or after a person crashes. With continued use, a person’s psychological health becomes compromised to the point where he or she experiences feelings of paranoia and panic attacks on a regular basis.
Is it possible to detox from cocaine at home safely?
Research shows that even trying cocaine once can have immediate health risks, including heart palpitations, high blood pressure, tragically, and overdose. This one-time experiment can become a lifelong struggle if not addressed promptly. Anyone who wishes to stop their use of cocaine or any other substance should discuss this with a mental health professional who specializes in the treatment of addictive behaviors. This means that a person may need to use larger amounts of cocaine more frequently to feel the same short-term effects. Cocaine tolerance can increase a person’s risk of experiencing an overdose. Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that’s used recreationally by some people.
- When withdrawal symptoms continue for weeks or months, this is known as protracted withdrawal.
- Our programs focus on healing both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction, ensuring long-term success.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 fatal overdoses involved cocaine in 2019.
- Smoking or injecting cocaine leads to a fast, strong high that lasts for up to ten minutes.
Can You Mix Cocaine With Other Drugs or Alcohol?
Genetics and underlying medical conditions, especially heart or neurological issues, can also increase the risk of serious complications. It’s often glamorized in popular culture, but its real-life consequences can be severe, both physically and emotionally. These toxic effects arise when the body is exposed to a dangerous dose of cocaine, often resulting in long-term or permanent damage to both the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Several organizations offer support to people with drug addiction, including cocaine. If a person has an addiction, they can speak with a doctor who can help them start their rehabilitation. Doctors can recommend the most appropriate treatment for preventing withdrawal symptoms and help quitting drugs.
Medications like disulfiram and topiramate may be considered to manage cravings. Inclusion in a comprehensive treatment program encompassing medical, psychological, and social support enhances the likelihood of successful recovery. Scientifically informed approaches prioritize addressing the multifaceted nature of cocaine addiction for more effective outcomes. The journey to recovery from cocaine addiction is an arduous one, necessitating not just a desire for change but also professional guidance and an empathetic support system.
Addiction Treatment
Just be sure to tell them about the specific symptoms so they can send the appropriate response. The time cocaine can be detected in your system depends on the type of drug test you take. How much you use and whether you’ve taken other substances can also affect how long a cocaine high lasts. The effects usually come on hard and fast, which is part of why cocaine tends to have high dependence potential despite relatively short-lived effects. Find out more about Priory’s addiction support and start your recovery today. Long-term cocaine use can cause auditory and tactile hallucinations, causing you to hear and feel things that aren’t there.
- Once the initial high fades, users often experience a range of aftereffects, many of which are unpleasant and can last much longer than the high itself.
- However, the complete elimination of all metabolites, such as benzoylecgonine, takes up to 7 to 10 days in some cases, depending on various factors.
- Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that comes from the leaves of the coca plant.
- Cocaine, especially crack cocaine, is strongly addictive for several reasons.
- Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant known for its rapid and intense effects.
Harm reduction is all about making drug use safer, even if you’re not ready to quit yet. The idea is to reduce the risks and adverse effects of cocaine use, understanding that not everyone can stop right away. This approach focuses on safety and minimizing harm, rather than immediate and total abstinence as the only path to getting better. In the event of a suspected overdose, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Cocaine overdoses can cause sudden death, particularly when combined with other substances like alcohol or opioids.
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Featured in national media, he shares his journey and expertise to combat addiction. If you don’t stop taking cocaine and seek the support you need, the only resolution may be surgery. It can also narrow your arteries and restrict blood flow to your vital organs. This can impact circulation, ultimately reducing the supply of oxygen to your vital what happens after taking cocaine once side effects and safety organs.
Cocaine — aka coke, blow, and snow — is a powerful stimulant made from the leaves of the coca plant. Recovery.com uses a standard procedure to make sure treatment provider profiles on our site are current and complete. Effective therapies include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), group therapy, and relapse prevention counseling. We are committed to helping individuals reclaim their lives and achieve long-term sobriety. These effects are much more likely if you have pre-existing heart conditions. Recovery is possible—and people just like you are doing it every day.
While it might feel tempting to give in to those desires, choosing healthier meals will ease the symptoms you are experiencing. Since cocaine is a stimulant, the crash and rebound effects often result in extreme fatigue and restlessness. Trying to rest will help your body recover from the effects of cocaine.
When cocaine does this, it creates many short-term side effects, such as euphoria, increased energy, mental alertness, and a decreased need for food and sleep. At Lionheart Behavioral Health, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for cocaine addiction. Our programs focus on healing both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction, ensuring long-term success.
Long-Term Effects on Brain Chemistry and Function
You should always avoid mixing cocaine with other drugs and alcohol, as this can be extremely dangerous and increase the risk of an overdose. It’s also important to note that co-occurring mental health conditions can worsen your addiction, affect the treatment outcomes and increase the risk of relapse. In this blog post, we will explore these risks, as well as the potential causes of cocaine abuse and addiction, and how to seek support for cocaine addiction. Even one use can cause serious health risks, especially if combined with alcohol or other substances.