Cocaine remains one of the most-used illicit drugs in America today. It tends to be used in powder or crystal form, which is referred to as crack cocaine. In either case, using cocaine produces a euphoric high that triggers the brain’s pleasure centers. The effects of cocaine wear off quickly, which makes the drug addictive. Cocaine is a common cause of emergency room visits among modern illicit drugs. Significant use of cocaine often leads to damage in critical areas of body function, such as blood vessels, lungs, and heart. Reach out to 833.551.2304 to learn more about cocaine addiction treatment.
4 Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Watching for the signs of cocaine addiction in your loved ones can help provide necessary intervention. The sooner you identify common cocaine addiction signs, the sooner you can get your loved one the professional help they need to overcome cocaine abuse or addiction. Below are some common signs of cocaine addiction you can watch out for as you go about daily living.
1. Mood Changes and Mental Health Problems
Cocaine use causes a burst of energy, alertness, and euphoria. That is one element of what to look for, as unnatural energy levels could signify that someone is abusing cocaine. The comedown from cocaine use provides another set of signs to watch out for as you go about your daily life. Cocaine may boost someone’s mood, but there is an unavoidable flipside to use. Once it wears off, people are left with a low mood, often verging on depression.
2. Behavioral Changes
Cocaine use changes someone’s behavior as much as it changes their mood. For starters, people who struggle with cocaine abuse often reorient their lives to secure a steady supply of cocaine. This can lead to money troubles and a host of risky behaviors as they try to get cocaine to fuel their addiction. Social withdrawal and isolation are other behavioral hallmarks of someone who has a cocaine addiction.
3. Physical Changes
A few of the physical side effects of cocaine abuse you can watch for are:
- Runny nose
- Loss of smell
- Dilated pupils
- Trouble swallowing
- Hoarse voice
The physical changes wrought by cocaine addiction tend to be subtle. Yet they offer some critical insight into your loved one’s condition.
4. The Presence of Drug Paraphernalia
The last of these four cocaine addiction signs is drug paraphernalia. The presence of drug paraphernalia is always a red flag. In the case of cocaine addiction, this paraphernalia could be syringes, needles, small spoons, lighters, bongs, or crack pipes.
Dealing with Cocaine Addiction Signs
So what should you do when you notice the signs of cocaine addiction in someone you love? The first step is to communicate with them about what you have seen. They may be defensive or deny what you are telling them. Know that their healing is not entirely on you. Support them in getting professional help and let them know you are a resource and help for them.
When they accept the need for treatment, the first step will be detox at an addiction treatment center. It is always best to conduct cocaine detox in a professional setting. Many people think they can detox independently, but that is rarely successful and can even be dangerous based on the potential for severe withdrawal symptoms.
After detox comes the rest of treatment. Therapy is the foundation of long-term cocaine treatment. Another factor that is addressed during treatment is mental health. Cocaine can lead to a range of mental health issues. As a result, cocaine treatment programs focus on treating addiction and tackling mental health issues simultaneously.
Find Cocaine Addiction Treatment in Florida at Gulf Breeze Recovery
Gulf Breeze Recovery is a full-service addiction treatment provider from detox to long-term care. Contact Gulf Breeze Recovery today at 833.551.2304 to find out how we can serve you or your loved one and help overcome cocaine addiction.
