Cocaine is a highly-addictive stimulant which can be used in several ways. Like other addictions, cocaine addiction has a significant, negative impact on individuals. Cocaine’s powerful, stimulative properties give people extreme highs and lows, leaving them exhausted and needing a new high to compensate for the low they are experiencing. As cocaine addiction escalates, it has a dramatic impact on individuals, often isolating them from others and dealing with life-threatening consequences.
If someone is abusing cocaine, they may seem excited or talkative one minute and depressed or angry the next. When cocaine is in a person’s system, he/she will have high energy, dilated pupils and possibly a runny nose (depending how it was used). Since cocaine’s effects are short-lived, generally lasting for less than an hour, the person may leave a crowded environment frequently to take more in private. Other short-term effects of cocaine addiction include:
Additionally, cocaine has extremely dangerous long-term effects on the user’s heart and brain. In fact, cocaine is responsible for more visits to the emergency room than any other illegal drug in the U.S. Cocaine increases an individual’s risk of a heart attack, stroke, seizure and, depending on its potency, death. Other side effects of cocaine abuse include, but are not limited to:
Unlike its portrayal in television and movies, cocaine addiction is not glamourous. It is a dangerous addiction that may begin at a party but often ends in death.
At HopeQuest, we understand how cocaine addiction develops. We know that untreated co-occurring disorders like ADD/ADHD can fuel the addiction, and that comprehensive treatment requires addressing underlying issues which are reinforcing drug-seeking behaviors. Our team of addiction specialists work with clients to address every dimension of the problem together.
HopeQuest’s comprehensive 12-week treatment program, combined with our Christ-centered, clinically-effective strategies, help individuals learn how to live in freedom from cocaine addiction. Surrounded by a safe spiritual community, each individual who comes to us for help has the opportunity to embrace a new story of recovery in an environment of acceptance and grace.
