Quitting anything you have become accustomed to for a while is challenging, and learning how to quit cocaine is no different. What makes it even harder is looking back at the things that once made you feel at peace. Taking the first step away from the drug is probably the most challenging part of recovery. If it helps, keep in mind that your quality of life will be significantly better once you get rid of it.
It is worth pointing out that quitting cocaine does not only mean prohibiting yourself from taking this substance. It also means dealing with your thoughts, emotions, and physical withdrawal symptoms. Learning how to quit cocaine begins by accepting that you have a problem. Know that drug abuse does not result in anything good and will negatively affect your life, especially your relationships. But why is quitting so difficult?
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Cocaine Use: The Challenging Phase of Recovery
This white powdery substance that is cocaine ruins the lives of millions of people around the world. It is a highly addictive drug that gives energy and euphoria to the user. It boosts the user’s senses, attention, and alertness. The drug provides high levels of dopamine to the brain, which causes a “high” feeling. However, it also has considerable negative impacts on the person’s well-being, which we will discuss in the next part of this article.
People who use cocaine tend to try other drugs as well. Cocaine is a rare, sometimes hard-to-get, drug since the government highly prohibits it. The users tend to take cocaine in areas where there is high accessibility to other drugs. Cocaine is also called coke, powder, or blow. As per National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), cocaine is prevalent worldwide.
According to their report, worldwide cocaine use has not seen any decrease since 2019. In 2014, it was estimated that 1.5 million users were only aged 12 or older. The European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction has tallied that cocaine is the second most used drug in the European regions.
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Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction: The Dangers of Its Abuse
Cocaine is not just highly addictive; it is also a very dangerous substance. You may catch yourself getting addicted to it while simply “experimenting” with it. Being careful and steering clear of cocaine will prevent life-threatening risks and damages. It has the potential to ruin many areas of your professional and personal life.
That is why becoming familiar with the signs of cocaine use is helpful. If you have a loved one or friend struggling with cocaine, keep reading to learn how to quit cocaine. Here are the physical symptoms of cocaine use: feeling unwell, muscle aches, nausea, stomach upsets, appetite changes, dilated pupils, paranoia, and runny nose. Not only are these symptoms unpleasant, they are also very dangerous signs. Having medical supervision during this phase is advisable to have prompt access to medication once needed.
On the other side, the psychological symptoms are overconfidence, uncontrollable cravings or increased hunger, frequent mood swings, sleeping difficulties, anxiety, and depression.
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Why Getting Clean Matters
Okay so you’ve researched how to quit cocaine, so now what?
When you realize that your drug dependence issues are making your life get out of balance, you must consider quitting cocaine as soon as possible. Aside from being very addictive, cocaine abuse results in serious health problems.
A pinch of cocaine is dangerous since it will leave you craving more after taking that initial dose. Cocaine use constricts the blood vessels, disallowing proper circulation and leading to unhealthy blood pressure. It might also result in overdose or organ failure. Snorting it can damage the user’s nasal cavity and septum.
The negative effects greatly outweigh the “high” feeling. The effects of happiness, concentration, sociability, and being lively will only last for 30 minutes or so. This is short compared to the effects generated by other illegal drugs. These temporary periods of happiness are not worth the lifetime drawbacks of using the drug. A considerable amount of cocaine intake may result in nosebleeds, seizures, strokes, heart attacks, and even death.
Recognizing cocaine use is the first step in the clean-up process. You may not be taking cocaine, but one of your family members could be. Staying vigilant might save a life. Making them realize that they are on the wrong track and badly need help must be done in a safe and quiet environment. Do not ignore the early warning signs. The right time to seek help is now. If you’re looking for an adolescent rehab that accepts insurance, contact our Los Angeles office today.
10 Tips for Getting Clean
Reaching out for help is always an option. Do not be afraid of someone judging you, and never be ashamed of your condition. Many people understand your situation; some might have already walked the same path. Meeting and talking to them would be immensely helpful. There is always hope, and if you want to recover, joining a teen cocaine addiction treatment facility is a great option. There are many amazing centers to choose from in Los Angeles and across the USA.
Many people who have used cocaine have been able to overcome their dependence on their own. While this is not recommended, you should know that a natural way is viable. Here are the things you can do to get clean, that help you on the path of how to quit cocaine.
1) Distract Yourself
When you have cravings, distract yourself for 30 minutes to an hour. You can either watch relaxing videos, talk to other people, listen to music, draw, write poetry, or do things that are not just helpful but also productive.
2) Avoid Triggers by Considering Your Environment
When trying to get clean, make sure that the environment you are residing in does not have access to cocaine.
3) Learn to Cope With Stress Through Safe Coping Mechanisms
The feelings of sadness and emptiness may be overwhelming. Instead of doing drugs to deal with them, do something healthy. Go to the gym to exercise, ride a bike or jog your way to the park.
4) Be Extra Careful With Your Body
Staying healthy while battling addiction is a good way of increasing the chances of your success. Eat and live healthily.
5) Have a Healthy Lifestyle
As mentioned earlier, healthy daily routines are a good way of distracting yourself and getting the happiness you wish for without using any drugs.
6) Don't Give In to Other Addictive Substances
The common mistake of people wanting to recover from cocaine addiction is giving in to other unhealthy habits, such as alcoholism. If you want to change genuinely, you should know that these things would negatively affect your life.
7) Communicate Your Worries and Concerns
If you are feeling worried, say something. During this battle, being vocal with your close ones is important.
8) Seek Therapy From Medical Professionals
Visit a doctor who has specialized in addiction. Ask for their recommendations about the next step in your recovery process.
9) Find Cocaine Treatment Programs Near You
If you are situated in or near Los Angeles, you can always get the help of Key Healthcare. We implement high success rate programs that are specifically tailored just for you. Contact us today.
10) Get Support
While trying to recover alone might work, it is always better to get the support of your loved ones. This way, when you need any help, you will always have someone to fall back to.
