Cocaine is one of the most frequently used drugs in America. If you or a loved one has a problem with cocaine abuse or addiction, undergoing cocaine detoxification will be an integral part of the recovery process. Without it, residual cocaine toxins can remain in the body and cause cravings years after the cocaine use has ended, putting the person at risk for relapse. Detoxification flushes out any toxic residue and purifies the body so that the unwanted effects of cocaine use are no longer present. Undergoing cocaine detox at a cocaine rehab can provide the additional treatment necessary to finally maintain sobriety.
Cocaine Detox: Withdrawal Symptoms
During the initial stages of detoxification, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms will appear. The nature and severity of these withdrawal symptoms vary greatly depending on the frequency of drug use.
Cocaine withdrawal does not often have immediate physical symptoms, but can cause severe changes in mood. The symptoms of cocaine withdrawal begin with a crash, or extreme exhaustion that can last for days. At the beginning of the crash a person will experience craving, irritability, agitation, dysphoria, the inability to sleep and sometimes depression. The final stages of cocaine withdrawal can include increased feelings of depression, sleepiness, mild craving and entering a state known as ‘anhedonia,’ or the inability to feel pleasure from activities or experiences one once enjoyed.
Luckily, all of these symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can be alleviated and sometimes even eliminated through proper cocaine addiction treatment. Even individuals who are severely drug dependent will be able to detox safely and relatively comfortably.
Cocaine Detox: Getting Treatment
Most drug detox centers simply provide treatment to avoid the physical withdrawal symptoms. If you’re serious about recovery, though, you should find a cocaine detox center that incorporates counseling and therapy during detox to help with the psychological components of your addiction as well. Detox alone is not a treatment and is not effective in preventing relapse.
The first step is to consult with a medical professional or a facility that specializes in cocaine and drug treatment. After undergoing a safe and supervised detox, you’ll enter a cocaine addiction treatment program tailored to your specific needs. Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications for treating cocaine addiction and the withdrawal symptoms; however, there are a number of effective cocaine addictions treatments available. Behavioral treatments (in particular, cognitive-behavioral therapy) have been shown to decrease cocaine use and prevent relapse. These types of treatments are especially effective in residential and outpatient settings. Other types of cocaine addiction treatment are motivational incentives, counseling, residential programs, community-based recovery groups (such as Cocaine Anonymous), and 12-Step programs. Many cocaine treatment programs also offer alternative methods of treatment in addition to these traditional methods. These highly effective alternative treatments include holistic treatments that address a person’s entire well-being, including their physical health, mental health, and spiritual health. Some of the most popular treatments for cocaine addiction are acupuncture, massage (for an additional cost)therapy, yoga, Chinese medicine, and more.
When choosing a treatment center, ask if they offer dual diagnosis treatment. Oftentimes a person will turn to cocaine as a way to cope with an underlying mood or personality disorder, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc. Dual diagnosis treatment will simultaneously treat both the addiction and the underlying disorder so that full recovery is possible.
Cocaine Detox: After Treatment
The point of cocaine detox and treatment is to rid the body of all residual cocaine and to treat the physical and psychological addiction to cocaine. Even after treatment, though, relapse may occur. This is an unfortunate reality of recovery, but it is one that can be minimized through aftercare programs.
When choosing a cocaine rehab, choose one that offers aftercare programs to help you work through the difficult first months of sobriety and maintain your sobriety. Effective aftercare can include continuing outpatient therapy through weekly phone calls or in-person visits, or through joining a support group such as Cocaine Anonymous. If an individual is at high risk for relapse, sober living may also be recommended. A sober living home is a group of recovering addicts who live together in order to support each other and provide an environment free of cocaine and other substances. Sober living is recommended for people who have just completed residential treatment and are at risk for relapsing if they return home.
Don’t let an addiction to cocaine run your life any longer. Call a cocaine addiction treatment facility today and ask how cocaine detox and addiction treatment can give you back the life you deserve.
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