Cocaine abuse in the U.S. is a serious health care problem that isn’t going away. While it’s true that Americans have successfully left the crack epidemic from the late ‘80s and the ‘90s behind, the dangers of cocaine abuse are still part of life. This is why behavioral health treatment centers still offer cocaine addiction treatment programs.
While cocaine is highly addictive and is associated with many mental and physical health problems, professional treatment makes it possible to overcome an addiction to it. Searching for a cocaine addiction treatment program in Rochester, NH? Contact Bonfire Recovery by reaching out to our team online or calling 603.617.4815.
What Are the Signs of Cocaine Addiction?
The symptoms of substance abuse vary depending on the addictive substance of choice and personal details like medical history and genetic makeup. However, some signs of cocaine addiction can be more easily observed in most people that misuse the illicit drug, such as:
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Decrease in maintaining personal hygiene
- Financial problems
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed hobbies and activities
- Lying and secrecy
- Mood swings
- Paranoia
People struggling with cocaine addiction may frequently go from a sense of euphoria and mania when they are high to irritability and low energy when they are in withdrawal.
What Are the Dangers of Cocaine Abuse?
Cocaine abuse, like most other forms of substance abuse, can result in many dire health risks and long-term side effects. These effects can impair many of the body’s major functions. For example, cardiac complications that arise from cocaine addiction include heart rhythm disturbances, heart attacks, aortic ruptures, and heart muscle inflammations.
People who abuse cocaine may also be malnourished. Sometimes, people struggling with cocaine addiction may neglect healthy eating habits when on a drug binge. The presence of cocaine in the body then reduces blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause tears and ulcers. Cocaine abuse also harms the kidneys and the liver and can even cause renal failure in extreme cases of addiction.
Other life-threatening health risks of cocaine abuse include the following:
- Abnormally high body temperature
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Impaired cognitive function
- Seizure
- Severe high blood pressure
- Stroke
An expecting mother who’s also struggling with cocaine addiction risks harming the fetus. Cocaine decreases blood flow to the uterus, robbing the fetus of oxygen and resulting in raised heart rate and blood pressure. Babies born from mothers that abused cocaine during their pregnancy have an increased risk of heart defects, problems with the central nervous system, and death.
When Should a Client Consider a Cocaine Addiction Treatment Program?
Cocaine addiction is a severe health care problem that causes many negative mental and physical health issues. Unfortunately, the crack epidemic is still fresh in the collective memory of the United States. As such, people struggling with cocaine addiction also face the social stigma associated with crack, whether or not crack is the form of cocaine they use. It can be challenging to overcome a cocaine addiction on your own, but with professional help, you can overcome it more easily.
Cocaine use can also hurt your relationships, career ambitions, and other important life concerns. If your addictive behaviors are not enough to get you on the road to addiction recovery, consider your health and longevity. The true danger of cocaine abuse is that it will shrink your expected lifespan because addiction damages your mental and physical health.
Ready To Learn About Bonfire Recovery’s Cocaine Addiction Treatment Program?
If you’re looking for a cocaine addiction treatment program in Rochester, NH, contact Bonfire Recovery today. You can reach out to our team online or call 603.617.4815.
