Modesto Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Residential Cocaine Abuse & Addiction Rehab

Cocaine abuse accounts for a significant portion of drug rehab admissions in the United States each year. According to recent data, most people who seek professional help for cocaine addiction smoke crack—but cocaine in any form can be highly addicting and cause numerous problems in the lives of those struggling with dependency and abuse.

At The Lakes Treatment Center, we offer a comprehensive residential drug rehab program at our comfortable and inviting facility on Lake Tulloch in Northern California. We understand firsthand how difficult it is to battle addiction, which is why we provide our clients with the personalized, attentive, and integrated support they need throughout recovery.

What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug extracted from the leaves of the coca plant, native to South America. It's a powerful central nervous system stimulant that affects the brain's neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine, creating a sense of euphoria, increased energy, and alertness. However, its effects are short-lived, leading to a rapid crash and strong cravings for more, contributing to its highly addictive nature.

Common forms of cocaine include:

• Cocaine hydrochloride: This is the most common form of cocaine. It's a white, crystalline powder that is snorted through the nose. It's water-soluble and can also be dissolved in water and injected.
• Crack cocaine: This is a processed form of cocaine that's made into a rock crystal, heated, and smoked. It gets its name from the cracking sound it makes when heated. Crack is highly potent and fast-acting, leading to a shorter but more intense high compared to powdered cocaine.

These are the primary forms used for recreational purposes, though there can be variations in how the drug is prepared or mixed with other substances.

Continue reading to learn more, including how we can help you or a loved one struggling with cocaine or crack addiction, or call (209) 309-3573 to set up a free, confidential consultation today.

How Does Cocaine Addiction Occur?

Like other types of drug addiction, cocaine addiction is a disease. Unlike other medical conditions that mainly affect the body, however, addiction is a chronic condition that primarily affects the brain.

When ingested, cocaine alters the brain’s dopamine neurotransmitter system, causing it to release more dopamine and “flood” the person’s system. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is responsible for processing reward cues and regulating movement, but it is most well known for creating a euphoric “high” effect. When a person uses cocaine, they may experience a highly pleasurable euphoric sensation for some time, but as the drug begins to leave their system, these feelings will typically be replaced with far less pleasant sensations, including irritability, anxiety, agitation, and a generally depressed mood.

Over time, cocaine use alters brain function, and people may find that they need more of the drug to achieve a similar or the same effect. This can lead to tolerance, which can quickly lead to dependency. As a person’s dependency on cocaine grows, they are at risk of becoming addicted and may struggle to stop using the drug on their own. When a person feels a compulsive desire to use the drug despite negative consequences, they are considered addicted.

What Are the Signs of Cocaine Abuse?

Although addiction is considered a brain condition, it affects both the brain and the body. As such, the signs and symptoms of cocaine abuse are mental, behavioral, and physical.

Some symptoms that your cocaine use has developed into a dependency or addiction include:

• Feeling an intense desire to use cocaine/crack or cravings when not using the drug
• Compulsively using cocaine/crack despite negative consequences
• Spending a significant amount of time thinking about using or obtaining cocaine/crack
• Consistently lying about or downplaying cocaine/crack use
• Engaging in riskier behavior/putting yourself in danger
• Experiencing problems at home, work, school, or other areas of your life related to your cocaine/crack use
• Losing interest in other activities or hobbies you once found enjoyable
• New or increased paranoia, irritability, and/or mood swings
• Experiencing financial problems related to your drug use
• Feeling that your cocaine/crack use is “out of control” or that you cannot stop using the drug even if you wanted to

Additionally, some of the signs of cocaine abuse in someone else include:

• Noticeable changes in overall mood or behavior
• Lying, secrecy, and theft
• Unusual problems at work, school, or home
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Poor hygiene
• Paranoia
• Anxiety, agitation, irritability, and mood swings
• Muscle tics
• Increased movement
• Loss of inhibition
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks or activities
• Drug paraphernalia

If you are struggling to control your cocaine or crack cocaine use, or if you are concerned about a family member or loved one, turn to the team at The Lakes Treatment Center. We understand the immense challenges and devastation caused by cocaine and crack addiction, and we are here to help.

Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Addiction

Long-term cocaine addiction can have severe consequences on both physical and mental health, as well as various aspects of an individual's life. Here are some of the long-term effects:

• Cardiovascular issues: Cocaine can damage the heart and blood vessels, leading to increased blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications. Chronic cocaine use can cause cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle) and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
• Respiratory problems: Smoking crack cocaine can lead to respiratory issues such as coughing, shortness of breath, and lung damage. Chronic use can result in severe respiratory conditions and respiratory failure.
• Neurological effects: Prolonged cocaine use can lead to neurological issues like headaches, seizures, and strokes. It can also cause changes in brain structure and function, affecting decision-making, impulse control, and emotion regulation.
• Psychological impacts: Cocaine addiction is often accompanied by mental health issues such as anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis. Long-term use can worsen these conditions and lead to chronic psychological problems.
• Tolerance and dependence: With continued use, the body builds tolerance, requiring larger amounts of cocaine to achieve the same effects. Dependence develops, leading to intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit, making it challenging to stop using the drug.
• Increased risk of infectious diseases: Sharing needles for cocaine injection increases the risk of contracting infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
• Gastrointestinal complications: Cocaine abuse can lead to issues in the digestive system, causing abdominal pain, nausea, and reduced blood flow to the intestines, which can result in severe bowel gangrene.
• Dental problems: Chronic cocaine use, especially when smoked, can lead to significant dental issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. This is often referred to as "coke mouth."
• Nutritional deficiencies: Cocaine can suppress appetite, leading to poor nutrition and weight loss. Long-term users may experience malnourishment and related health issues due to inadequate dietary intake.
• Social and behavioral consequences: Cocaine addiction can lead to a range of behavioral issues, including increased risk-taking behaviors, aggression, and social isolation. This can disrupt social connections, employment opportunities, and overall functioning in society.
• Legal and financial problems: Addiction often leads to risky behavior, including criminal activities to support the habit. Legal issues and financial instability due to spending on the drug are common among individuals addicted to cocaine.

How Is Cocaine & Crack Cocaine Addiction Treated?

There are numerous treatment programs available to those suffering from cocaine or crack cocaine addiction. Frequently, individuals require carefully monitored detox in a safe, inpatient setting. Detox is often uncomfortable, as individuals will typically experience a range of withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, depression, “brain fog,” insomnia, fatigue, nightmares, and increased appetite. However, various medications can be used to ease some of these symptoms and offer a more comfortable detox experience.

Following detox, individuals struggling with cocaine or crack cocaine addiction may benefit from inpatient or residential care. This is often the case for those who do not have a strong outside support system or who are at a high risk of relapse. During a residential cocaine treatment program, individuals live at a treatment facility where they receive 24-hour support, 7 days a week from a team of trained and qualified addiction specialists.

At The Lakes Treatment Center, we offer a whole-person approach to drug addiction treatment and recovery. At our state-of-the-art cocaine addiction rehab in Modesto, we develop custom programs to address the unique needs of each individual client.

Typically, these programs involve a combination of treatments and services, from individual and group therapy to legal coordination to life skills coaching and recreational activities designed to enhance mindfulness and promote physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Contact us today to get started.