Cocaine became a popular party drug in the 70s and 80s, its portrayal in pop culture and media cementing it as a club scene mainstay. Individuals who use it feel unstoppable, euphoric, and uninhibited. Cocaine is still popular today, now with new and increased risks. If you or a loved one are struggling with cocaine abuse and addiction, we can help. Contact Woodland Recovery Center at 662.222.2989 for information about our Mississippi cocaine rehab and your treatment options today.
What Is Cocaine?
Made from coca leaves grown in South America, cocaine is one of the most well-known substances because of its age. Coca leaves were chewed for thousands of years in South America for their stimulating effects. The form that most know it as (a white powder) was extracted from the plant over a century ago.
Cocaine is classed as a Schedule II substance. This means that it is addictive but can still be administered by doctors as anesthesia for different surgeries, such as eye and throat surgeries. Cocaine was an active ingredient in several medicines in the early 1900s and was famously an ingredient in earlier versions of Coca-Cola.
Cocaine is a stimulant, which means that it raises nervous activity. Basically, it gives people energy. A popular, legal stimulant is caffeine. Cocaine affects the brain by increasing dopamine levels. Dopamine controls our reward center, and typically, dopamine will be recycled into the cells that released it. This will shut the signals of the nerve cells off. Cocaine stops dopamine from being recycled and causes a massive buildup between nerve cells, which causes the brain to feel rewarded and promotes taking higher doses of the substance.
Cocaine has become especially dangerous to keep costs down and profit up; illicit drug dealers cut the cocaine they sell with anything from baby laxatives to deadly fentanyl.
How to Tell If Someone Is Using Cocaine
Cocaine addiction has been common in America for years, so there are telltale signs that people may show when addicted. Some common warning signs that someone is abusing cocaine include:
- Muscle spasms
- Dilated pupils
- Restlessness
- High body temperature
- Chronic runny nose
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Irritability
- Elevated mood
- Euphoria
- Mental alertness
- Hyperactivity and hypersensitivity
- Paranoia
- Financial and/or legal problems
- Weight loss
- Mood swings
- Long-term damage to nasal passages or “cocaine nose”
- Withdrawal symptoms when they aren’t able to use
Cocaine abuse can have long-term negative effects on the body and brain, but withdrawal symptoms can be so uncomfortable and unpleasant that many people stay stuck in the cycle of addiction to avoid them.
Getting Help for Cocaine Addiction in Mississippi
Cocaine addiction is difficult to see someone struggling with, especially a close friend. However, we would like to extend help to our fellow Mississippi residents. Woodland Recovery Center offers proven treatment for cocaine addiction. Every client is different, so what works for one person may not work for another. The first portion of treatment will be getting rid of the cocaine in one’s body, called detoxification or detox. Cocaine detox can be tough. Cravings will show up, clients will be irritable, and a mental toll will be taken. While detox from cocaine is mild compared to other substances like opioids, it is still unpleasant.
This is why Woodland Recovery Center believes in medically supervised detox. Our medically trained staff will be there with your friend every step of the way. We will be there to provide support through the physical symptoms of the detox process, as well as the emotional turmoil he will encounter. Woodland Recovery Center offers several forms of treatment, such as:
- Residential treatment
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- An intensive outpatient program (IOP)
Getting professional help is the best and safest option for individuals who want to regain control of their lives and break the cycle of addiction. Completing a full treatment plan makes for higher success rates when it comes to avoiding relapse and maintaining long-term sobriety goals.
Woodland Recovery Center Is Here For You
Woodland Recovery Center is here to help you through the struggles of addiction. Our mission is to empower our clients so they can start to live out their best futures. Call 662.222.2989 to learn more about treatment, or fill out our online form and allow us to get back to you.
