What does a typical cocaine addiction treatment center offer its clients? Because cocaine is considered a highly addictive substance, and its misuse usually results in severe addiction, the ideal treatment center should allow clients to complete the full course of addiction treatment within its walls.
Most treatment centers offer various services to make getting professional help easier for those struggling with cocaine addiction. While cocaine’s short-term effects may feel positive, as it impedes the brain from discarding dopamine, long-term misuse can restructure the brain and even increase a person’s stress levels. If you’re looking for a cocaine addiction treatment center, we can help. Contact Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge today. Reach out to our team online or call 844.442.8673.
What Is Cocaine?
Knowing the definition of cocaine can help people fully understand why its misuse is so dangerous. What is cocaine? It’s a powerful and highly addictive stimulant drug. Its source is the South American coca plant.
In the early 1900s, purified cocaine was the main active ingredient in many elixirs and tonics developed to treat various illnesses. Before developing synthetic local anesthetic, surgeons even used cocaine to block pain. However, over the years, research has shown that cocaine is a very addictive substance that can alter brain structure if used repeatedly. Today, cocaine is a Schedule II drug, meaning a doctor can still administer it for legitimate medical uses. The latter is a rare scenario, of course. Most physicians will only administer cocaine medically as a last resort; if they do, it is never prescribed to the patient to use on their own.
When people abuse cocaine, they often obtain it illicitly. This can be dangerous, as cocaine dealers often dilute cocaine with non-psychoactive substances such as:
- Cornstarch
- Flour
- Talcum powder
- Baking soda
These additives allow the dealer to increase their profits. They may also degrade cocaine with other drugs like procaine, amphetamine, or heroin.
What Are the Signs of Cocaine Abuse?
The definition of cocaine and the fact that some batches of it may be adulterated and mixed with other drugs should make it easy to figure out that cocaine misuse can negatively affect physical, mental, and behavioral health. Symptoms of cocaine abuse may include:
- Burn marks on the hands and lips
- Changes in sleeping and eating patterns
- Deterioration of hygiene habits
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of interest in things that once brought joy
- Mood swings
- Risky behaviors
If you begin to notice the signs in yourself or someone you care about, it’s time to consider a cocaine addiction treatment program.
When Should Clients Consider a Cocaine Addiction Treatment Program?
As mentioned above, if you notice signs of cocaine abuse in yourself or someone you care about, it’s time to consider professional help. Continued cocaine abuse carries many dire health risks and adverse long-term side effects. If someone you care about is resisting professional treatment, it may be time to hold an intervention.
If you resist professional help and your loved ones hold an intervention, try to listen to their concerns and evaluate your life. Is cocaine causing harm in your life and the lives of those close to you? Remember that addiction can cause health problems and shorten your lifespan.
For example, people who abuse cocaine may become malnourished. They can sometimes neglect healthy eating habits when on a binge. Cocaine abuse also harms the heart, liver, and kidneys and can even cause heart complications or renal failure in some cases.
Learn More at Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge Today
If you’re searching for a cocaine addiction treatment center, contact Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge today. Call 844.442.8673 or reach out to our team online. We can help you end your addiction.
