Author: Gary Jackson
How to Quit Cocaine: 5 Tips from Experts
If you recognize some of the above criteria in your own drug-related behaviors or those of a loved one, you might want to reach out for additional evaluation. If you’re also addicted to these or any other substances, you should be offered specialised help with this too. If cocaine is damaging your relationships, work, money situation or health, you can get help to stop on the NHS. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a free, confidential helpline that a person can call any day of the year. If a newborn has developed NAS, their symptoms can last 1 week to 6 months after birth, according to the March of Dimes. When it comes to helping a loved one who is abusing cocaine, keep in mind that timing is critical.
Turn down party invitations, stay away from areas where you used to use and pass on plans that would have involved drug abuse before you got clean. It may be hard to let long-time friends know that you need to make a clean break for your own health, but ridding yourself of reminders of your past life can be essential to avoiding temptation. Further, many professional treatment centers, like FHE Health, operate on a step-down basis. For example, after inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs can ease the assimilation back into normal life.
How to Treat Cocaine Addiction
Although there are many more symptoms of cocaine use, these are the most common. These are signs that there is an issue with addiction and it is time to seek help and treatment. If you’re not motivated to get clean on your own, take time to consider what drugs have taken from you.
We’ve covered in previous articles how problematic drug use thrives in isolation. Despite the popular image of cocaine being a party drug, many use the substance in private. Worse still, most find that they are using more of it, more frequently and equally importantly finding they can’t stop using it for increasingly shorter lengths of time. They are a valuable support tool and many people find comfort in confiding in them. They can help you stay on track as long as they are not judgmental and do not use themselves. Unfortunately, there may be friends that still use and will discourage you from getting help.
How to Beat Cocaine Addiction, Starting with These Challenges
These friends will usually distance themselves from you when you attempt to quit. An assessment is generally done before entering treatment and then periodically in order to ensure that the right level of care is being administered. Individuals may move between levels of care as needs may change during treatment. Professionals trained in substance abuse and dependency can help families decide on the best treatment method and model for your loved one. Instead of finding yourself with idle time and letting temptation take over, use your newfound sobriety to reexplore your former passions. Join a running club, buy a new game, buy some new books or take up an instrument.
A person experiencing cocaine withdrawal can consider reaching out to a qualified medical professional for support. The medical professional can help monitor the person’s withdrawal symptoms and mental state. Cocaine is a highly addictive illegal drug that stimulates the pleasure and movement aspects of the brain.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Many factors come into play like, recognizing the addiction, making the decision to do something about it, setting goals, talking to friends and family, and seeking help. Spotting and recognizing the signs of cocaine addiction and problem drug abuse is key to knowing when it is time to get help. When someone is addicted to cocaine, much time may be focused on finding a way to get the drug, using it, and then coming down and recovering from the drug’s effects.
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If someone you care about is struggling with a cocaine addiction, recovery is possible. Help treat your loved one’s cocaine addiction by acknowledging the addiction, getting initial treatment, and developing a long-term plan to maintain recovery. In addition to friends and family, a group of other sober individuals can be critical.
Getting Initial Substance Abuse Treatment
It may help to write down actual events where a loved one’s drug abuse specifically and directly had a negative effect. It is important to use “I” statements and be assertive rather than aggressive. Have clear and concise consequences laid out that will be enforced if the loved one does not decide to enter into treatment and discontinue using cocaine after the intervention. Research treatment options and consider having something set up ahead of time. Although potential pharmaceutical treatments for cocaine dependence are ongoing, there are currently no medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) available for either cocaine detoxification or longer-term treatment of cocaine use disorders.
The goal of pharmacological treatment is to improve these symptoms in the short term. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms generally begin within 24 hours of the last use. People may experience a variety of symptoms during cocaine withdrawal. No matter what method you use figuring out how to beat cocaine addiction does not have to be difficult. By resolving to quit and seeking help for the addiction it is possible to leave it behind.