Cocaine and Crack Cocaine Recovery, Addiction, Abuse and Rehab Treatment

What is Cocaine | Crack?

Cocaine has been a problem of epidemic proportions in America for years and our rehab centers in florida has seen it’s share of addicts seeking recovery and treatment from cocaine addiction. Our rehabilitation facility has a highly recognized treatment and recovery program with a great success rate. Cocaine is a powerful drug that stimulates the brain. Cocaine is typically sold on the street as a fine, white powder, and often includes fillers added in to increase its weight, such as baking soda and local anesthetics. Some of the street terms for cocaine include blow, nose candy, snowball (which is cocaine mixed with heroin), horn (which means to inhale cocaine). Some of the street terms for crack cocaine include tornado, wicky stick (PCP, marijuana and crack), Oolies (marijuana laced with crack) and crack addicts are often referred to as “bingers.”

How does Cocaine and Crack become addictive?

Cocaine works by blocking the dopamine receptors in the brain from recycling the chemicals. Dopamine is responsible for the sensation of pleasure in the body when released. It is then collected by the same receptors and the feelings of pleasure subside. Cocaine interrupts this process and causes a build up of Dopamine in the system, causing euphoria in the user. The body adapts quickly to the introduction of cocaine and, even as soon as the second time using, users find themselves needing larger quantities of the drug in order to achieve the same high, causing many users to become heavily addicted to the drug.

How is Cocaine and Crack abused?

In the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, some 1.4 million persons were classified with dependence on or abuse of cocaine.

Cocaine can be snorted, smoked, injected and chewed, but snorting is the most common way the drug is used. The duration of cocaine’s immediate euphoric effects depends upon how it’s administered. The faster the absorption, the more intense the high, however, the faster the absorption, the shorter the high lasts. Thus, a high from smoking usually happens quicker, but may last for only 5 to 10 minutes, while the high from snorting may last from 15 to 30 minutes. People on cocaine, overdose on cocaine. Period.

Cocaine can also be cut with other drugs such as methamphetamine. Powdered cocaine can be made into crack cocaine, which is generally in rock-like form and is sold for far less money than powdered cocaine. The term “crack” refers to the crackling sound produced by the rock as it is heated. Crack has cocaine base that has not been neutralized by an acid to make the hydrochloride salt. This form of cocaine comes in a rock crystal that is heated to produce vapors, which are smoked.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimates that in 2007 there were 2.1 million current (defined as in the last month) cocaine users, and some 600,000 of those were current crack users. It is more common for adults aged 18-25 to have a higher rate of cocaine use than any other age group, with men reporting higher cocaine use than women. In 2008, almost 15% of Americans had tried cocaine, with 6 percent having tried it by their senior year of high school. Even with a rise in the prices of cocaine, the use of cocaine remains high.

What are the side effects of Cocaine and Crack addiction?

Every addiction is different, but there are some common side effects of cocaine abuse and addiction. There are also both short and long-term effects of cocaine abuse. Addicts are often restless, euphoric and hyperactive. The state of euphoria, however, is usually short-lived, and usually followed by depression and a desire to use cocaine again. Heavy users tend to be paranoid or impotent, and suffer from uncontrollable twitching. Paranoid delusions, itching and hallucinations are often seen in cases of excessive use.

Long-term effects include damage to the nose and a deviated septum, tooth grinding, which can also lead to deterioration of the tooth enamel and lead to gingivitis. Cocaine abuse can cause kidney disease and renal failure, lead to autoimmune diseases and can cause serious damage to the addict’s brain. Overdoses are not uncommon and can often result in seizures, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, heart problems, respiratory failure and, in extreme cases, death.

Hospital Emergency Departments nationwide report that cocaine continues to be the most frequently mentioned illicit substance reported to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), an increase of 47% since 1995. Cocaine was involved in 31% of all emergency department visits that involved drug abuse or misuse.

Cocaine and Crack Addiction Treatment at Drug Rehab Center “Challenges”

Challenges is a nationally recognized center of excellence for the treatment of substance abuse, addictions, dual diagnoses and relapse prevention. Our treatment programs are specifically designed with the needs of the individual patient in mind. We will help you identify cocaine and crack cocaine addiction signs and treat your addiction.

If detox is needed, we can facilitate the needs of the client. The Challenges staff is highly trained and we are one of the oldest cocaine rehab, addiction treatment and relapse prevention centers, not only in the State of Florida, but also in the United States. If you or someone you love has a cocaine addiction, we can help.

We have a wide variety of treatment programs available, including neurofeedback, massage, yoga, group sessions, full day/PHP Treatment, with or without structured living, extended care transitional treatment and intensive outpatient treatment, and ongoing alumni services and technology-enhanced aftercare to ensure continued recovery and support.

Our mantra is that “Relapse Ends Here” and we provide support and assistance necessary to back that up. Our goal is to provide clients with the tools they need to help them identify their own particular warning signs and trigger mechanisms. Concurrently, we help them prepare a concrete plan for success as they move out of the program and into the future.

Challenges Can Help
24 Hours a Day / 7 Days a Week
For questions, information or immediate help
Call 1-888-670-5486 (Toll Free)