People across the country take cocaine every day. The popular party drug is commonly taken to increase mental focus for work or school. Unfortunately, cocaine is highly addictive and can wreak havoc on a person’s brain and body. Cocaine addiction treatment is the safest way to prevent the long-term effects of cocaine abuse and help a person recover.
You don’t want to quit cold turkey if you or someone in your life is abusing cocaine. Call the team at A Better State for help. Our holistic, trauma-informed clinic provides comprehensive care for the New Hampshire area. Call us at 781.412.1488 to learn more about preventing the long-term effects of cocaine use.
What Is Cocaine?
Cocaine is a white stimulant powder derived from the South American coca plant. This powerful stimulant is smoked, injected, snorted, or ingested. Crack cocaine provides an even more intense high in its more concentrated form. Cocaine is a stimulant that speeds up messages from the brain to the body, which can cause each of the body’s systems to work in overdrive. While high on cocaine, a person may:
- Lose weight
- Have increased focus
- Suffer anxiety and panic attacks
- Sweat without exertion
- Become more talkative
- Lose their appetite
- Carry out tasks quickly
- Experience mania
Because cocaine speeds up the body’s processing, it increases heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism. If someone takes too much cocaine, an overdose will cause a heart attack, seizures, and stroke. It can be challenging to stop using stimulant drugs without help. It can also be easy to overdose, especially when combining cocaine with other drugs or alcohol.
Side Effects and Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Use
People often snort cocaine, which can cause nasal tissue damage. Other long-term effects include damage to the heart and other vital organs. Similar to other addictive substances, cocaine has a profound impact on the brain and body. It can change the production and balance of certain chemicals in the brain. By releasing dopamine, the brain craves more cocaine and makes less dopamine on its own. Over time, this leads to a dependence on cocaine for chemical processing.
Studies show that cocaine damages the aspects of the brain that help us make decisions, diminishing our ability to function in our daily lives. Cocaine can also trigger brain cells to consume themselves, resulting in fewer brain cells. These effects can happen whether someone casually uses cocaine or is living with addiction. Long-term use may cause psychosis, hallucinations, depression, and cognitive impairment.
Treat Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Abuse with Holistic Care in New Hampshire
Even casual cocaine use can cause long-term damage to nasal tissue and vital organs. If you or someone you love is using cocaine, let the team at A Better State help. Our Hudson, New Hampshire clinic provides trauma-informed, holistic care for cocaine abuse and other substance use disorders. With dual diagnosis treatment, we provide diagnosis and treatment for various mental health conditions, lessening the effects of addiction symptoms and triggers. Our therapy programs include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Art therapy
- Yoga therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Mindfulness meditation therapy
Whether you are looking for daytime or evening outpatient treatment, the team at A Better State is here to help. By partnering with trusted sober living communities, we help clients across New Hampshire thrive through every stage of recovery. Learn more about our step-down holistic approach to addiction recovery and mental health today!
Learn More About How Cocaine Affects the Body at A Better State
Cocaine use is a common drug, meaning you or someone you know could be dealing with the side effects of cocaine use. Call the team at A Better State today to learn more about the long-term effects of cocaine use and the different types of holistic approaches for treatment. Reach our staff at 781.412.1488 now to get started.
