Cocaine Addiction Treatment in New Jersey

Many snort cocaine in its powder form. As such, one way to tell if someone is sniffing coke is if you see white, powdery traces around their nose. A “runny nose” is also common among those who snort cocaine.

Prolonged “sniffing” of cocaine can also damage the very sensitive lining of the nose. As one snorts the crystalline powder, it can rupture the lining of the nasal passages. This is why nosebleeds are also common among those who use cocaine.

One of the main reasons behind cocaine addiction is its powerful “euphoric” effects. This “high” brings such an intense pleasure akin to what one feels after a huge accomplishment. This “rewarding” feeling is one of the things that drive people to get high on cocaine over and over again.

During drug use, euphoria can present itself in the form of extreme excitement or exaggerated happiness. If you notice that your loved one is uncharacteristically excited fairly often, this may be a sign of drug use. This is especially the case if the individual has no true explanation for their excitability.

Since cocaine exaggerates one’s feelings of well-being, it can lead to increased confidence. Much like the effects of methamphetamine, cocaine can even make one feel dangerously overconfident.

This overconfidence can result in chronic cocaine users misjudging their abilities and skills. They may believe that their abilities are much better than they are.

These cocaine symptoms can be deadly, especially if individuals are misjudging their abilities. For example, some people who are under the influence of drugs like cocaine may attempt to drive, believing that they are capable of properly doing so. Fatal car accidents are second to drug overdoses when it comes to accidental deaths. Unfortunately, many of these accidents involved drivers under the influence of drugs.

As you can see, overdosing isn’t the only risk when it comes to using stimulant drugs, like cocaine. So, if you notice that a loved one is struggling with drug dependence, it’s important to make sure they get help right away.

As cocaine stimulates the brain, it responds by releasing adrenaline and endorphins. The release of these hormones then dilates or widens the pupils. Sometimes, the pupils can become so large that it also causes light sensitivity. That’s why they may choose to wear sunglasses, even indoors.

A recent study found that people who use cocaine don’t like social interaction. One reason is that the drug makes them feel that interacting with others isn’t rewarding.

Also, drug abuse tends to cause people to feel alone. This might come as a result of several things. In some cases, family members may misunderstand their loved one’s addiction, believing that the individual’s substance use is a choice. On the other hand, some family members or friends may try to help their struggling loved one.

But, if they do not know exactly how to help, they may end up driving the suffering individual farther away. Isolation is very common, as many people using drugs start to withdraw from things, as they feel guilty or ashamed because they struggle with addiction.

Studies have found that “crack” cocaine leads to paranoia in up to 84% of users. It also found that almost half of the cocaine users displayed violent behaviors.

When paranoia hits, they may feel irrational fear of something. They may think that people are “out to get” them. Sometimes, they may even feel they’re in danger. From here, delusions and hallucinations can occur.

Delusions can make people believe that they are another person. Hallucinations are perceptions of things that aren’t there. For example, hallucinations that bugs are crawling on their skin even if there aren’t any.

These delusions and hallucinations can be what drives them to commit violent actions, such as suicidal tendencies. To outsiders, it may seem violent behavior, but to the users, it may be a form of self-defense from these imagined dangers.

People who use crack cocaine feel the results almost right away. It can take up to 10 minutes before users who sniff the drug feel the effects of crack cocaine. But within 5 to 20 minutes of experiencing euphoria, the high goes away and may even cause discomfort.

This short-lived effect often drives people to want to get more of the drugs that they are using. This can explain why they often excuse themselves from family events. Some may even not explain and just “disappear” several times a day.

Although using cocaine triggers the brain to produce endorphins, it also depletes serotonin. Serotonin is also a “happy” hormone that contributes to one’s feelings of well-being. Because cocaine depletes so quickly, stopping its use can give rise to depression.

Perhaps your loved one is showing little to no interest in eating. This is not uncommon among those who struggle with substance misuse. Firstly, cocaine has appetite-suppressing qualities, making individuals less interested in eating food. Also, people who suffer from drug dependence often experience a decrease in self-care. They may not feel much like eating as drugs tend to take priority in their lives.

As a result of appetite loss, individuals who suffer from cocaine dependence often show signs of weight loss. This weight change can occur fairly quickly. So, if you have noticed that someone you know is losing weight somewhat rapidly, check for the other signs of cocaine abuse. If you see any of them in addition to weight loss, your loved one may be dealing with drug addiction.

The following are some of the most hazardous short-term effects of cocaine misuse:

• Dilated pupils
• Increased heart rate
• Hypertension (Increased blood pressure)
• Vomiting and nausea
• Restlessness
• Excessive hyperactivity
• Irritation or paranoia

Cocaine also inhibits appetite and sleep. It can cause insomnia and despair. Severe paranoia, hallucinations, strokes, and seizures may occur in chronic users. Panic attacks, impatience, restlessness, and anxiety are some of the other immediate adverse effects of cocaine use.

Furthermore, because cocaine is frequently mixed with other chemicals such as baking soda or amphetamines, users may have more severe side effects as a result of these additives.

If you think someone you know may be using this powerfully addictive drug, it’s important to act quickly. If left untreated, major complications can occur as a result.

Cocaine misuse can have long-term consequences for a person’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Long-term cocaine usage can harm the organs of the body, including the heart, lungs, and kidneys. It can also increase the risk of stroke or heart attack by interfering with blood vessel function.

Furthermore, long-term cocaine usage can increase the risk of mental problems such as anxiety and depression. Long-term drug addiction can also create brain alterations that might lead to cognitive impairment, such as trouble concentrating and memory problems. It’s also been connected to more violent conduct and suicide ideation.

Long-term cocaine users may get addicted to the drug and experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. The following are some of the most hazardous long-term effects of cocaine abuse:

• Heart attack (The leading cause of death among people who abuse cocaine. Accounts for 25% of deaths among people ages 18-45).
• Blood clots
• Pulmonary embolism
• A stroke
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Angina, or chest pain caused by vascular constriction
• Myocardial infarction due to a lack of oxygen caused by inadequate blood flow
• Permanently high blood pressure
• Tachycardia
• Arrhythmia (Irregular heartbeat)
• Irritability
• Weariness
• Sleeplessness
• Sadness

Addiction treatment, especially for drug use is necessary to break the cycle and recover successfully. We can help mitigate cocaine withdrawal symptoms, and prevent the risk of a cocaine overdose, as well as, relapse.

One of our comprehensive drug abuse treatment programs for clients battling a substance use disorder includes residential treatment programs for cocaine addiction. It entails residing in a facility where the individual can be closely watched and assisted during their rehabilitation process. Individual therapy, group therapy, 12-step programs, life skills training, relapse prevention measures, medication assistance, and other services are frequently used during inpatient treatment.

People struggling with severe levels of cocaine addiction can find a secure and supportive environment in a residential treatment setting. This level of care allows people to concentrate on their recovery without the distractions of daily life, which can be critical for long-term sobriety.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for cocaine usage entails the use of certain drugs to aid in the reduction of cravings and withdrawal symptoms throughout recovery. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports this sort of treatment, which can be utilized in conjunction with behavioral therapies or as a standalone treatment option.

Buprenorphine and naltrexone are the most widely utilized MAT drugs in cocaine abuse. Buprenorphine is an opioid prescription that helps to lower cocaine cravings, whereas naltrexone works by blocking the drug’s effects on the brain’s reward system. Other drugs may be recommended to treat anxiety or sadness caused by cocaine addiction.

MAT can also be used in conjunction with behavioral therapies to assist individuals in learning how to manage cravings and cope with stress. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and contingency management are examples of behavioral treatments.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on modifying drug-related attitudes and behaviors, whereas motivational interviewing assists in uncovering the underlying causes of drug use and assisting a person in making beneficial adjustments.