Cocaine Addiction

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is an illegal and very powerful addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain. Extracted from the leaves of the coca plant, it is and one of the most powerfully addictive drugs available. Coca leaves have been around for thousands of years. Cocaine is distributed on the street in two main forms: cocaine hydrochloride and "crack" cocaine. Cocaine hydrochloride has been abused for more than 100 years.

Cocaine hydrochloride is a fine powder often diluted with sugar, cornstarch or talcum powder. It is typically snorted though some cocaine users prefer to dissolve it in water and inject the fluid. Crack cocaine is the freebase rock form of cocaine which is created by adding baking soda to the mixture and smoking the drug rock that forms.

Street Names for Cocaine

Big C
Blow
Charlie
Coke
Cola
Flake
Freebase
Happy Dust
Lady
Lady Snow
Nose Candy
Nose Powder
Peruvian
Snow
Snow White

How Does Cocaine Affect the User?

Cocaine is a rapid acting drug that reaches the brain within seconds. The result is a sudden intense high or rush. Cocaine produces almost immediate feelings of euphoria but they quickly disappear leaving the cocaine addict with intense cravings to use again. Addiction to cocaine is a difficult cycle to break. Quite often, the user’s tolerance to cocaine will increase rapidly prompting the addict to take greater doses to reach the same high and/or take cocaine on a more frequent basis. The results of cocaine addiction can be physically and mentally debilitating.

Immediate effects of a small dose (up to 100 mg) of cocaine are feelings of euphoria, an increased level of energy, alertness, enhanced sensations of sight, sound and touch and rapid speech patterns. Typically the user will experience a decrease in appetite and have difficulty sleeping.

Short Term Effects of Cocaine Abuse

Increased heart rate
Increased energy
Paranoia
Restlessness
Irritability
Anxiety
High blood pressure
Constricted blood vessels
Dilated pupils
Runny nose or nose bleeds
Decreased appetite
Mental alertness
Insomnia

Long Term Effects of Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine addiction
Depression
Irritability
Fatigue
Mood disturbances
Restlessness
Abdominal pain
Chronic runny nose
Loss of smell
Problems swallowing
Nausea
Paranoia
Irregular heart beat
Heart attack
Chest pain
Respiratory failure
Stroke
Death
Auditory hallucinations

Cocaine Addiction Withdrawals

When a cocaine addict stops using cocaine or when they come down from a binge, they crash hard and can experience deep levels of depression, anxiety, insomnia and an intense craving for more cocaine. Withdrawal symptoms may also include:

Vomiting
Chills
Tremors
Agitation
Extreme fatigue
angry outbursts
lack of motivation
Irritability
Muscle pain
Suicidal thoughts

Cocaine Binging

Cocaine is rarely a drug that someone tries just once. The effects of the drug are so strong that the user may have difficulty controlling the extent of their cocaine abuse. Often times cocaine addiction leads to cocaine binging which involves a user taking excessive amounts of high doses, repeatedly over an extended period of time. Cocaine binging leads to a state of restlessness, increased anxiety, paranoia and irritability. Depending on the method of cocaine abuse, the addict will feel different and adverse effects. Cocaine abused by snorting for example, can lead to a strong irritation of the nasal septum with side effects such as loss of smell, nosebleeds, chronically inflamed membranes, and runny noses. Overtime heavy cocaine abuse can lead to the development of a deviated septum. The septum is the small area of cartilage between your nostrils. Cocaine abuse causes an erosion of the tissues of the inner nose and in extreme cases can lead users to seek surgery to correct the damage.

Cocaine abuse by injection, as with any drug, is a higher risk method of abuse. Each time a user injects cocaine, they are putting their lives in danger. Cocaine abuse is often frequent and since cocaine is a local anesthetic, frequent use will cause damage to the veins quickly. A heavy cocaine addict will have tracks and puncture marks typically on their forearms and feet. A serious danger for intravenous cocaine addicts is the risk of having an allergic reaction to the drug or to an additive in the drug which sometimes results in death.

Risks Associated with Injecting Cocaine

Sharing needles increases the risk of contracting Hepatitis B and C and HIV/AIDS
Poor injecting techniques or dirty equipment can cause infection, damage to the veins and even lead to blood poisoning
Unknown levels of purity can result in overdose
Accidently hitting an artery during injecting can result in swelling, pain and even loss of a limb

Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Cocaine addiction is powerful both physically and psychologically. This is why it is so important that a recovering addict is enrolled in a cocaine addiction rehab treatment programme. Whether it’s a 12 step rehab treatment model, Cognitive Behavior Therapy model or other, the primary objective of the rehab programmes are the same, to get the user clean. Cocaine addiction rehab treatment involves one on one therapy session as well as group therapy sessions that can help the individual to understand why they have a dependency on the drug. Group therapy in particular has a positive impact on the user as they have the opportunity to hear others’ stories of addiction and share experiences, struggles and overcoming obstacles.

Cocaine Rehab at a 12 Step Treatment Centre

The 12 Step model of cocaine addiction rehab treatment has long been recognized as one of the best methods for treating addiction. During the 12 step rehab treatment programme the addict will go through a series of steps from recognizing and admitting they have an addiction problem to pledging to remain cocaine free to making amends with the people that have been hurt by their addiction. The 12 step rehab programme is aimed to giving the addict a foundation to live a sober, drug-free life. Part of their cocaine rehab treatment therapy will be designed to help them avoid people or circumstances that may encourage cocaine abuse. Depending on the length of treatment at a residential cocaine addiction rehab treatment centre, the user will complete some of the recovery steps. After they leave the rehab treatment centre, they must continue to work on the 12 step programme, seek the support of a local Narcotics Anonymous programme and get a sponsor to help them stay clean.

It is important to remember that enrolling in a cocaine addiction rehab treatment programme is only the first stage to recovery. At The Cabin Chiang Mai, we support our patients during the entire recovery process by providing them with the support, courage and professional counselling they need, all in an environment designed for healing. Once a patient leaves The Cabin Chiang Mai, we will continue to remain in contact with them through our Online Aftercare Coaching programme and monthly telephonic phone calls with counsellors. We are the only professional addiction rehab treatment centre in Asia that allows our patients to complete all12 steps of the programme. We also will find a support group in your area.

At The Cabin Chiang Mai, we offer highly effective, affordable cocaine addiction rehab treatment programmes. Our rehab programmes range from 30 to 90 days and depending on the severity of the addiction, we will recommend a cocaine addiction rehab treatment programme tailored to your individual needs. We are a 12 step rehab treatment centre that combines fundamentals in 12 step recovery with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques and Fitness Therapy to restore our client’s mind, body and spirit to a natural and healthy state. Our innovative rehab programme gives our patients a foundation in cocaine addiction recovery and prepares them for long-term sobriety.

If you or someone you care about is suffering from cocaine addiction, contact The Cabin Chiang Ma at contact@thecabinchaingmai.com and inquire about our cocaine rehab treatment programme. Our team of Western trained professional counselling staff will help guide you or your loved one through the process of recovery.