Cocaine is a dangerous stimulant that causes increased energy and euphoria, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. In high enough doses, it can cause the body to overheat and harm vital organs, and potentially lead to coma and death. Recognizing the signs of cocaine addiction is imperative to know if you or a loved one abuses any amount of this illegal narcotic. Cocaine addiction can cause powerful cravings and other withdrawal symptoms that will push you to continue the abuse, even if you have a strong desire to quit.
At 7 Summit Pathways, we are a full-service addiction treatment facility with programs for treating addiction to cocaine, alcohol, meth, and other substances. When you first arrive at our facility, we run a full assessment of your physical and mental health to create a tailored treatment program based on your individual symptoms. You will participate in group and private therapy sessions with a certified behavioral therapist and learn new coping skills to beat the addiction. Start a search for cocaine addiction treatment near me and click on the link for 7 Summit Pathways, or call 813.212.7149 now to speak with our compassionate team.
The Dangers of Cocaine Abuse
Cocaine addiction is a serious issue in the U.S. that affects millions of men and women each year. It is derived from the cocoa plant, which is in the Erythroxylaceae plant family and has natural psychoactive properties. It is a central nervous system stimulant that interacts with neurotransmitters in the body and impacts the way the send and receives messages. It makes changes to the delicate chemical balance within your system and can cause serious complications with just a few uses.
Cocaine addiction can cause physical and psychological problems and can permanently damage the brain, liver, heart, and other vital organs. Research has shown that cocaine abuse can damage heart valves, shrink arteries that decrease blood flow to the brain, increase the chance of blood clots, and cause seizures. Other long-term effects of cocaine abuse include:
- Auditory hallucinations
- Restlessness
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- A disregard for personal hygiene
- Financial difficulties
- Fractured relationships
7 Summit Pathways offers a whole-person recovery experience for individuals who are ready to stop abusing cocaine or other narcotics. We work closely with each patient and their family so that everyone is familiar with the various cocaine addiction signs and what it will take to recover and maintain their sobriety.
3 Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Abusing cocaine even one time can cause an addiction, especially for those who self-medicate with drugs to cope with depression, PTSD, peer pressure, or other common causes of drug abuse. Even small amounts of cocaine can have a significant impact on your body and can cause a chemical dependence that will produce powerful withdrawals when you stop using.
Here are three signs of cocaine addiction that you should be familiar with:
- Physical signs – One of the clearest cocaine addiction signs is the physical changes that cocaine can cause. Those who abuse this drug will experience weight loss, nose bleeds, dilated pupils, burn marks on fingertips and lips, and gum disease. Another common physical sign of cocaine use is a lack of personal hygiene. This can include dressing carelessly, not doing laundry, not taking regular showers or baths, or avoiding brushing their hair.
- Psychological signs – Abusing cocaine will affect your behavior and personality and can cause depression, anxiety, and other psychological complications. Individuals will begin to act erratically with frequent mood changes that can become violent, even toward loved ones. Other mental health signs of cocaine addiction include paranoia, excitability, over-confidence, and worsening depression, anxiety, or other mental health illnesses.
- Signs around the home – Additional signs of cocaine addiction you can find at home or the office include glass pipes, straws, glass trays, razor blades, burnt spoons, and plastic bags with a white powdery substance. Other signs include trouble keeping up at work or school, financial strain, and changes in the people they hang out with.
Cocaine addiction is a serious mental health illness that affects millions of men and women each year. Fortunately, there are several treatment options that can help your recovery and prevent any future relapse.
7 Summit Pathways: Your Top Choice for Cocaine Addiction Treatment near You
At 7 Summit Pathways, we support individuals who are struggling with cocaine addiction and ready to make a positive change in their lives. We take the time to build trust and open communication with each patient so they feel comfortable opening up about the reasons behind cocaine abuse. They learn healthy coping skills for managing their symptoms and triggers through group and private therapy sessions that promote a healthy and sober lifestyle.
To find cocaine addiction treatment near you, call 813.212.7149 or fill out our online form today to discover all of the benefits of our addiction treatment facility.