Cocaine addiction, like many diseases, also takes a heavy toll on those who love the person suffering from it. It can be especially devastating when the signs of addiction are missed and the disease becomes more severe. Identifying the signs of cocaine abuse is the first step to helping yourself and your loved one. If you think that a loved one is addicted to cocaine, a cocaine addiction treatment program can help.
At A Better State, we have a team of dedicated addiction treatment specialists and experience helping people recover from drug addiction. Our addiction treatment programs have a proven record of success. We work closely with individuals to establish a recovery path tailored to their unique circumstances. We also provide comprehensive family therapy and support resources such as al-anon. To learn more about our offerings, contact us at 781.412.1488.
Why Cocaine Addiction Is Dangerous
Cocaine is a highly addictive central nervous system stimulant. At its most extreme, cocaine addiction can be life-threatening. As a person uses the drug, it rewires their neural pathways to crave it. As this development occurs, they build a tolerance to the drug, and their body requires more and more of it to be sated. Another dangerous feature of cocaine addiction is that the drug can be quickly and inconspicuously cut with other hazardous substances such as heroin, leading to inadvertent overdose and death.
The effects of cocaine addiction can last for years or even decades. Cocaine erodes the nervous system, and the longer a person uses it, the more dependent they become on the drug. Once a person’s body becomes dependent on cocaine, detoxing from the drug becomes increasingly hard on the body.
How to Recognize the Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Many people fail to recognize their loved one’s addiction, and some choose to ignore or enable it. The first step to helping your loved one recover from cocaine addiction is acknowledging and confronting the problem. To do this, be conscious when observing your loved one’s behavior. Other behaviors often camouflage addiction symptoms. However, certain behaviors should raise a red flag.
Although the signs vary from person to person, many symptoms are similar to those of other addictions, including alcohol and substance abuse disorders. Your loved one is likely suffering from addiction if you recognize the following signs:
- Fearful or secretive behavior
- Intense shifts in mood and emotional composition
- Some people may feel and exhibit a rush of energy and euphoria
- Others may express increased anxiety or paranoia
- Emotional detachment
- Some people become manic and violent when using or feigning
- A preoccupation with getting cocaine
- Missing appointments and breaking commitments
- Withdrawal from loved ones
- Staying awake for days at a time followed by intense crashes or other strong changes in sleep patterns
- Dilated pupils
- A higher body temperature than usual (running hot)
- Sensitivity to light, touch, or sound
- Loss of appetite
- Lying
- Risky behavior
- Ignoring hygiene
If you suspect your loved one is addicted to cocaine, take action. Don’t wait until things become more serious. By then, it may be too late for successful rehabilitation. Early intervention can make all the difference.
Contact A Better State for Cocaine Addiction Treatment and Support
At A Better State, we specialize in supporting people recovering from cocaine addiction and their families. From identifying the addiction to detox support to outpatient addiction treatment, our passionate team is dedicated to helping people regain their lives. In addition to addiction, we recognize and treat the co-occurring disorders and underlying causes that contribute to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
If you or someone you love is struggling with cocaine addiction, reach out to us today at 781.412.1488.
