Cocaine Rehab & Addiction Treatment

On any given day during 2008, SAMHSA reports that 16,000 people used cocaine. Even as awareness grows about the dangers of cocaine abuse, people continue to use the drug. Often, cocaine abuse begins because it revs up a night out or allows a student or professional to work longer and harder than their peers.

The intense euphoria of cocaine abuse is short-lived and is followed by depression and fatigue. Other side effects of cocaine abuse include vomiting, increased body temperature, heart attacks, psychosis, breathing problems, stroke, headaches, and damage to the nasal passage, lungs or digestive system, depending on the method of abuse. Drinking alcohol while using cocaine can produce a toxin that stays in the body for long periods of time and can be deadly.

Over time, cocaine abuse changes the way the brain functions, resulting in dramatic mood changes, intense drug cravings and cocaine addiction. When the problem becomes apparent to those who care about the addict, cocaine rehab is often the only way to stop the downward spiral.

Choosing the Best Cocaine Rehab for Your Needs

There are a number of cocaine rehab centers located throughout the country. Choosing the right one requires a little research so you can be sure your needs will be met.

Here are a few key questions to ask the cocaine rehab centers you are considering:

• Does the cocaine rehab offer the same treatment program to all clients, or is care individualized to your specific needs?
• Is the staff qualified? Are they highly educated and experienced in cocaine addiction treatment?
• Is the cocaine rehab licensed and accredited (typically by CARF or the Joint Commission)?
• Does the cocaine rehab have a long history of providing addiction treatment? What is their reputation like?
• If you also struggle with depression, anxiety or other mental health disorders, does the cocaine rehab provide dual diagnosis treatment?
• Does the cocaine rehab offer therapies that address mind, body and spirit? Examples may include yoga, acupuncture, meditation, exercise, massage and neurofeedback.
• Are the 12 Steps part of treatment? If not, what is the cocaine rehab center’s philosophy on treatment?

What Happens During Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Quitting cocaine abuse is a process, not an event. During cocaine addiction treatment, you will rid your body of the drug gradually with supervision from a skilled medical team. Cocaine detox will help minimize withdrawal symptoms and reduce drug cravings so that you can focus on the work of recovery.

Cocaine detox is just the first step. While you may look and feel better than you have in years, stopping treatment after detox puts you at extremely high risk for relapse. You will need to learn to handle drug cravings and manage lingering feelings of depression, restlessness and irritability.

After detox, you will need to participate in outpatient or inpatient cocaine rehab. Those who can refrain from drug use without 24-hour supervision and have work or family commitments may benefit from outpatient cocaine rehab. In most cases, residential cocaine rehab will be the most effective option because it is highly structured and supervised and removes the temptations to use drugs.

In residential cocaine rehab, you can expect to participate in the following:

• Individual, group and family therapy to address the issues underlying your addiction
• Educational sessions about the disease of addiction
• 12-Step meetings
• Sober recreational activities that help you feel good again without using cocaine
• Adjunctive therapies such as equine therapy, yoga, acupuncture or massage
• Relapse prevention planning to help you handle drug cravings and triggers
• Aftercare planning that may include ongoing therapy, outpatient care or a sober living environment

Stop the Downward Spiral with Cocaine Rehab

Left untreated, cocaine addiction will destroy everything that matters most to you – your health, your career and your relationships. Chasing a high that’s never as good as the first time cannot be your life’s work. Haven’t the guilt, shame and desperation of cocaine addiction tainted your life long enough?

Cocaine rehab is the way to stop the downward spiral. The decision to enter cocaine rehab is rarely easy, but once it’s made, with one small step you’ve reversed the course of your life. Rather than heading nowhere fast, you can work toward a life that brings you meaning and joy.