Cocaine is an addictive stimulant that is consumed mostly by snorting (powder), shooting (through veins), or smoking (in rock form). It's one of the most addictive and abused substances in the world. Addicts enjoy the initial feeling of euphoria and the 'high' that comes with the drug, however cocaine blocks natural dopamine from the brain which leaves the addict wanting more 'euphoria' and therefore more cocaine.
Treatment for cocaine abuse varies, but in the United States 6% of people admitted to some form of drug treatment program/facility are treated for cocaine addiction. Of that 6%, 68% smoke 'crack' cocaine and use other drugs than strictly cocaine.
The first phase of cocaine addiction treatment is, like all other treatment plans, detoxification. Cocaine detox isn't like normal detox. People who are coming off daily cocaine use or binges normally feel very depressed and unable to be happy. They are very tired, lethargic, and restless. The detox from cocaine isn't near as bad as it is with opioids like heroin, but one must take into account that most cocaine users have more than one drug in their system.
Once the detox phase is over cocaine addiction treatment is both pharmaceutical and behavioral. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines are used to control depression and extreme anxiety while people try to get themselves clean of cocaine. Sometimes beta blockers are used as well in extreme cases as they slow down a person's 'fight or flight' reflex and slows down adrenaline- which is the exact opposite effect of cocaine use.
Behavioral approaches to treatment for cocaine addiction focus on what the addict will do when they are out of the program. Cocaine addiction treatment should be done in patient and supervised by a physician. The problem is the percentage of people who have been through the treatment programs that relapse. The focus is on getting to the root of why an addict feels the need to use cocaine to be happy, and to fix whatever it is that makes them unhappy in their life because cocaine is just going to compound any problems. An after care regime must be implemented and followed for continued support in 'the real world.'
Treatment for cocaine abuse varies, but in the United States 6% of people admitted to some form of drug treatment program/facility are treated for cocaine addiction. Of that 6%, 68% smoke 'crack' cocaine and use other drugs than strictly cocaine.
The first phase of cocaine addiction treatment is, like all other treatment plans, detoxification. Cocaine detox isn't like normal detox. People who are coming off daily cocaine use or binges normally feel very depressed and unable to be happy. They are very tired, lethargic, and restless. The detox from cocaine isn't near as bad as it is with opioids like heroin, but one must take into account that most cocaine users have more than one drug in their system.
Once the detox phase is over cocaine addiction treatment is both pharmaceutical and behavioral. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines are used to control depression and extreme anxiety while people try to get themselves clean of cocaine. Sometimes beta blockers are used as well in extreme cases as they slow down a person's 'fight or flight' reflex and slows down adrenaline- which is the exact opposite effect of cocaine use.
Behavioral approaches to treatment for cocaine addiction focus on what the addict will do when they are out of the program. Cocaine addiction treatment should be done in patient and supervised by a physician. The problem is the percentage of people who have been through the treatment programs that relapse. The focus is on getting to the root of why an addict feels the need to use cocaine to be happy, and to fix whatever it is that makes them unhappy in their life because cocaine is just going to compound any problems. An after care regime must be implemented and followed for continued support in 'the real world.'
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