Cocaine: A Drug Abused By The Young

The U.S. government estimates that 1.5 million Americans use cocaine each month, about 0.6% of the population. However, cocaine use is far from evenly distributed among age groups; adults aged 18-25 are the heaviest users, with 1.4% saying they used the drug in the last 30 days. In fact, the drug’s use skews so young that even 10th graders, by percentage, use the drug in higher numbers than America’s adult population.

Signs And Symptoms Of Cocaine Abuse

As a powerful stimulant that causes the human brain to release large amounts of dopamine, one of the body’s major feel-good chemicals, cocaine has a wide array of side effects. These might include anxiety, agitation, increased aggression, restlessness, insomnia, body tics and involuntary movements, among many other symptoms. Longer-term use of the drug may contribute to depression and anxiety disorders, chronic fatigue, and may also increase the chance of dangerous conditions like heart attack and stroke, especially for individuals already at risk for these conditions.

Crack Cocaine: More Addictive, More Dangerous?

Crack cocaine, which hits the brain in approximately 20 seconds when smoked, is both faster acting and shorter lasting than the power-based version of the drug. Some evidence shows that crack cocaine is often considerably more addictive than regular cocaine, with a greater potential for abuse and more serious side effects experienced by the substance’s users. Despite the dangers, crack cocaine is easily obtained by many; a 2010 survey indicated that around 30% of high school students reported that crack cocaine was “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get.

The Challenges Of Cocaine Withdrawal

Cocaine is an extremely addictive substance, and withdrawal symptoms can be extremely unpleasant. Patients might expect to experience a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including agitation, depression, fatigue, increased appetite, strange dreams, among many others. Extreme changes in a patient’s mental state, including increased levels of suspicion and paranoia, may also occur. Cocaine withdrawal is typically not as physically demanding or potentially dangerous as withdrawing from drugs like heroin, alcohol, or large amounts of benzodiazepines, but it can still be extremely difficult– and many patients may attempt to reduce withdrawal symptoms by abusing other drugs, even while undergoing cocaine addiction treatment.

How Cocaine Addiction Treatment Works

Therapy and behavioral treatment are strongly emphasized by most medical professionals when creating a cocaine addiction treatment plan for their patients. Sometimes, doctors will prescribe medications like disulfiram, (commonly known as Antabuse) a drug often used to treat alcoholism, in order to reduce the chance of a patient relapsing. However, due to genetic differences, disulfiram and other drugs don’t work for everyone, so behavioral changes still must be at the front and center of any cocaine addiction treatment strategy.

Cocaine Rehab Remains The Most Effective Strategy For Addiction Sufferers

If you or someone you care about is addicted to cocaine or crack cocaine, a comprehensive and compassionate cocaine rehab program is the best way for an addiction sufferer to get the help they need. Simply going to a doctor or therapist isn’t enough for someone experiencing the challenges of cocaine or crack cocaine withdrawal– instead, they need a full cocaine addiction treatment program that can teach them the skills to stay sober permanently.

To learn about cocaine addiction treatment programs at New Life Addiction Treatment Center, call us today at (855) 658-0035. Our addiction specialist are available 24/7 to help you start you journey to happiness and sobriety!

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