Cocaine Rehab

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Call our local number 01603 513 091
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Call our local number 01603 513 091
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What Is Cocaine Addiction Treatment?

Cocaine is a potent stimulant drug, causing intense and short-lived highs, followed by dramatic lows, leaving users seeking more to refind its euphoric effects. The transient nature of cocaine highs means the drug is highly addictive. Users can develop physical addiction very quickly, in some cases after even only one or two episodes of substance abuse.

The signature of active cocaine addiction is simply craving for the drug itself. That inactive cocaine addiction will seek the cure and use it, even if it causes serious harm to oneself or others.

As a chronic (long-term) condition, the effects of drug abuse can reverberate throughout life. Addiction isn’t always something that’s a result of regular substance abuse. It can also develop from simple experimentation and light drug use during teen years.

Unresolved trauma can also lead to cocaine abuse as a means of escape. Regardless of how cocaine dependence began, evidence-based strategies, and professional addiction treatment for cocaine addiction is usually needed to overcome the problem of substance abuse.

Signs of Addiction to Cocaine

There are indicators of cocaine addiction that can be divided into physical signs and psychological signs.

Physical signs of addiction to cocaine:

Cocaine is a stimulant. Stimulant drugs affect individuals by boosting energy and increasing confidence levels.

Outwardly, cocaine users become less shy and more talkative than before. The excess dopamine released in the brain often results in a flurry of ideas, expressed quickly and with great excitement.

Other signs of cocaine addiction include:

  • Becoming more sexually active than before
  • Loss of appetite/ weight loss, since dopamine is an appetite suppressant
  • Runny nose/ nosebleeds
  • Dilated pupils/ eyes sensitive to light
  • Where the use of cocaine is combined with other drugs, needle marks on arms can become visible; hidden needle marks on parts such as the neck or legs.
  • Burned-looking lips or fingers

Note that the physical signs are the same, whether the cocaine addicts are using crack cocaine or the powder form of cocaine.

Physical symptoms of cocaine addiction may be less evident if the person seems to be carrying on as usual. Some cocaine users consider themselves a “functional addict” to fulfill daily obligations and work requirements without impediment, hiding the problem well.

Psychological signs of addiction to cocaine

While physical symptoms can vary widely from individual to individual, psychological symptoms of cocaine addiction tend to adhere to a few specific signs.

  • Anger – caused by minor, trivial, or day-to-day issues
  • Anger – at being unable to use cocaine
  • Irritability and mood swings
  • Sensitivity to criticism
  • The rising sense of frustration
  • Panic at the thought of stopping use of cocaine
  • Aggressive behavior towards loved ones/ other persons
  • Tension, resulting in insomnia, suicidal thoughts, and lack of focus
  • Frequently lost in the study, daydreaming, with unfocussed thinking patterns, fantasizing about using drugs
  • Being uncharacteristically talkative
  • Sleeping less than usual
  • Signs of paranoia (fearing that others are “out to get me”)
  • Poor choices in everyday events and interactions

Psychological symptoms of cocaine addiction can last for ten weeks or longer. Some can suffer more than others due to pre-existing mental health problems or past experiences of trauma.

Especially prone to drug addiction are those with the following mental health conditions:

  • Other substance misuse problems, including alcohol addiction
  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Antisocial personality disorder

In many cases, using cocaine started to cope or escape from overwhelming emotional stress. Some also use cocaine with the intent to change their mental/emotional state.

In this light, using cocaine could be seen as a way of self-medicating.

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What Is Cocaine Addiction Rehab?

Cocaine rehab usually means to seek treatment in an inpatient private residential clinic for an average of 2-4 weeks. Although some people prefer outpatient treatment so they can detox in the privacy of their own home, it may not be the safest way to go. There are several different types of treatments they can go for.

Primary care cocaine addiction treatment usually lasts 28 days, although some opt to extend treatment to receive complete therapeutic care. The standard program for treatment for cocaine addicts takes place in three stages these stages are:

  • Detox
  • Rehab
  • Aftercare

What Happens in Cocaine Addiction Treatment Programme?

Drug Rehab begins with the decision to get help. Here’s what usually happens next.

Pre-Admission

When calling, most clinics will complete a standard drug and alcohol pre-admission telephone assessment with an addiction professional to establish needs and patterns of usage before they even begin treatment at the treatment facility.

A cocaine addiction assessment will usually include:

  • Gaining an understanding of overall health, needs, drug use patterns, and co-existing addiction to other substances. (Alcohol addiction, gambling addiction, anything the patient could be using as a gateway to using cocaine)
  • Recognizing frequency, recency, and duration of cocaine abuse over time.
  • Advice and guidance on the most appropriate cocaine addiction treatment options available.
  • A clear understanding of costs involved.
  • Initial guidance by an addiction professional on what a personalized treatment plan could look like.
  • Date confirmed for admission, and all booking details received by email.
  • Admission to the clinic’s cocaine rehab programme for inpatient treatment.

Next, the practicalities of admission can begin:

  • Transportation to the rehab clinic or treatment facility.
  • Checking in the rehab clinic and meeting with the addiction specialist.
  • Settling in period.
  • Preparing emotionally and mentally for detox to commence.

Detoxification from Cocaine

As the first step to treat cocaine addiction, it’s essential to cleanse the body of cocaine itself. Detoxification from cocaine with the aid of medication is considered safe and effective.

The supervising professionals will deal with withdrawal symptoms as they arise on an individual basis. Any medicines given are designed to ease withdrawal symptoms, as the body and mind re-establish balance in dopamine levels. These are usually experienced as:

  • Easily getting tired
  • Slow to move, wanting to rest a lot more than usual
  • Insomnia, or waking up in the middle of the night, unable to go back to sleep again
  • Restlessness
  • Increased appetite, or a return to normal appetite
  • Twitching or muscle spasms

In other words, significant mental and emotional lows are possible during withdrawal symptoms, for quite some time, e.g., being unable to do daily tasks. With professional help and advice, the residual effects of cocaine will diminish in a controlled manner.

It’s helpful to remember that in rehab, the goal of the first stage of the treatment plan is to restabilize, both mentally and physically. Once stability is achieved, therapeutic help can begin in earnest.

Cocaine Detox Duration

The cocaine detox experience is broken into three phases: crash, withdrawal, and extinction. People are apt to feel steady progress from the crashing stage to when they still experience cravings for cocaine but are already done with withdrawal symptoms.

Generally, the timeline is shown as:

Phase 1: The Crash

Within hours to the first three days, a person will likely be too exhausted to do anything else. But there will be little to do cravings to use cocaine.

Phase 2: The Withdrawal Period

Within 1 to 10 weeks of stopping the use of cocaine, the person may experience these cocaine withdrawal symptoms:

  • Lethargy/tired feelings
  • Anxiousness
  • Erratic sleep behavior
  • Strong cravings for cocaine
  • Easily upset/touchy/emotional
  • Irritable/sensitive to remarks
  • Depression can happen, putting their overall mental health at risk
  • Poor concentration, unable to stick to a task
  • Phase 3: Drug Addiction Extinction Stage

    Up to 28 weeks after stopping the use of cocaine, a person will experience on and off cravings. There could also be a sense of unease or dissatisfaction with life, generally speaking.

    Therapeutic Help – Cocaine Rehab Process

    Crack/Cocaine addiction is generally considered to be a psychological addiction more so than a physical one. For this reason, the majority of the gains made from rehab are delivered from the therapeutic interaction, patterns identified, and insights gained.

    Not all cocaine rehab programmes are the same. A drug rehab plan will usually involve some form of therapeutic help for the treatment for cocaine abuse, an introduction to mutual aid groups, and peer and family support. Addicts can even get a free confidential assessment to figure out which method of therapy may work best for them. Although that varies between different treatment programmes.

    Evidence-based modalities that are effective in cocaine addiction recovery are:

    • CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
    • Challenges the thoughts (often unnoticed and running in the background) that cause cocaine addiction.
    • It brings to light irrational fears about letting go of cocaine addiction.
    • Runs through potential daily obstacles of a lifestyle free from cocaine.
    • It helps identify and challenge underlying beliefs that may be driving the pattern of cocaine usage.
    • Recognizes ways of behavior that may contribute towards cocaine use as a coping mechanism.

    12 Step Facilitation

    • Provides free addiction assessment and mentorship support through partnering with a sponsor.
    • Offers structure to a person who will be struggling with a series of life changes after giving up cocaine.
    • Connection with support groups such as Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or Smart Recovery for recovering addicts.

    Group Therapy

    Group therapy sessions present an opportunity for individuals to exit the trap of circuitous thinking that addiction thrives in. Group members’ insights and solutions for a peer’s dilemma can assist in changing perspectives and meanings attached to old situations.

    Individual Therapy

    One-on-one sessions with an addictions specialist with a track record for helping cocaine addiction problems. You get several keyword sessions with an individually assigned case manager to strengthens the progress made in therapy, and works on goal-setting and tracking individual progress. This can seem like too much work, but is actually a great form of treatment for cocaine addiction for a lot of people!

    Holistic Therapies

    Bearing in mind that a person is made up of body, mind, and soul/psyche provides comprehensive management of cocaine addiction challenges. Including some facilities such as Abbeycare Clinic, massage, reflexology, medically assisted withdrawal detoxification, and animal-assisted therapy for recovering addicts.

    Family Support Group Meetings

    Weekly sessions and support groups with family members/significant others to help apply lessons learned in group/individual therapy. Emphasizes the importance of community support in the individual’s effort to change.

    Aftercare 

    After the rehab clinic stays, an aftercare plan eases the transition to a life free from cocaine. Giving up something that was the focus of a person’s life for a considerable period creates a vacuum. When there is no focus for this free-flowing energy, being new to giving up a severe habit such as cocaine can go back to using the drug just because “it feels familiar.”

    Recovering addicts have to stick to the changes they’ve made even after the cocaine rehab program is over. This change may require further therapy after they’ve already completed treatment, making it possible for them to stick to the changes they’ve made.

    Changing behavior means following step by step, and although it can feel unnatural or even forced for the first few weeks, following the plan is needed. Without support and appropriate coping skills, however, following an aftercare plan would not be effective.

    In a rehab clinic with a strong aftercare program, the following elements are usually built into treatment programmes:

    • Constructing an aftercare plan
    • Establishing a connection to support team members
    • Planning for day-to-day steps after rehab for cocaine addiction to have a plan to protect their mental health and their physical health.
    • Connection with support groups and specialist supports unique to the individual’s needs.
    • Accounting for lessons learned in therapy
    • Devising appropriate coping strategies to account for known trigger scenarios
    • With as much detail as possible, the aftercare plan is usually prepared and peer-reviewed to assess how realistic and achievable the person in recovery is.

    Programme Duration

    Multiple factors can determine the length of stay in a residential clinic rehab. The admissions team assesses these in that clinic. 

    However, they will typically include:

    • Previous use of other addictive substances
    • General overall health
    • Current mental/emotional health condition
    • If they’ve struggled with mental health issues in the past
    • If they’ve been dealing with any health complications that could affect their recovery journey
    • How much cocaine the person is using, frequency, recency
    • Previous attempts at recovery
    • However, the typical length of treatment is in the span of 14 to 28 days in a rehab clinic.

    Private vs Public Cocaine Rehab Treatment

    Public treatment services offered by the NHS can cover:

    • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), either as individual or group basis
    • Psychodynamic psychotherapy
    • Family therapy
    • Couples therapy
    • Medication to suppress intense cravings

    However, to qualify for NHS treatment, there could be a long waiting time. There are also detailed procedures to follow involving the local drug center. In most locations, demand for treatment outstrips supply, and the timescales within which appropriate help is available are usually more than 18 months.

    In most cases, where an individual is ready for help, private treatment will allow faster access to joined-up therapy for addiction under one roof.

    A reputable private cocaine rehab treatment clinic usually provides personalized, consistent care. The waiting time for admissions is short, most likely one to two days, compared to 18 months or longer from the NHS.

    If you wish to progress with NHS treatment, speak first with your GP or local drug treatment service. Nevertheless, a private rehab clinic is likely to offer better facilities, as well as rehab aftercare. Abbeycare’s cocaine rehab program also utilizes holistic treatments to address the concerns in traditional rehab packages.

    Important: 

    Private clinic treatment such as the drug addiction treatment program offered by Abbeycare is not the same as admitting to a hospital. In case of emergency treatment needs for cocaine addiction, the nearest Emergency Department is recommended.

    Cocaine Rehab Costs

    The cost of cocaine residential treatment varies, depending on how long a person stays in the rehab clinic and their needs. 

    The length of stay in a rehab can be determined by:

    • How long the person has been inactive cocaine addiction
    • How much on average does the person use cocaine
    • Whether the person is using other addictive substances
    • Overall health condition of the person
    • Type of help the person is looking for
    • A typical stay would be for 28 days.

    In the Abbeycare residential rehab clinic, the minimum stay for cocaine treatment is 14 days and extends to 28 days and upwards. For pricing information, please ring directly on 01603 513 091, or access instant personalized pricing using Abbeybot.

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    Frequently Asked Questions: 

    1. Is detox from cocaine at home possible?

    Cocaine rehab is considered risky because it puts individuals at the risk of the following conditions:

    • Irregular heartbeat patterns, including cardiac rhythm disturbances. Signs to watch out for: chest pain; the person is diagnosed previously with a heart problem.
    • Risk of stroke (subdural, subarachnoid, or intracerebral bleed). Signs to watch out for Persistent headaches/migraines. Note that persons who abuse stimulants can be using other substances and may be experiencing simultaneous withdrawal from these substances.

    Since street cocaine is often mixed or cut with other reagents or even opioid drugs, it’s hard to detect its effects. Hence, withdrawal symptoms cannot be predicted.

    As we consider any additional pre-existing medical conditions that may exist and the interaction of cocaine with pre-existing prescribed medication, it is easy to understand why we expressly advise *against* attempting to detox from cocaine unless under the direct supervision of medical professionals.

    2. Is it possible to suffer from cocaine overdose?

    Yes. Excess cocaine use can cause extremes in the amounts of free or occupied neurotransmitters present in the brain, which control and regulate critical autonomic functions in the body, affecting essential functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, etc. In this way, a cocaine overdose can have fatal consequences.

    3. How do you feel when you are detoxing?

    Some report strong negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. Using cocaine produces pleasurable feelings, which the brain quickly becomes addicted to via the action of the nucleus accumbens.

    During cocaine rehab, the brain’s chemistry needs to adjust back to the previous level of dopamine production. As dopamine elicits feelings of pleasure, there is a drop in dopamine levels during the adjustment period when the person stops using cocaine.

    Because the brain processes pleasure alongside other feelings such as anxiety and happiness, a detox person would likely feel strong negative emotions. Without the proper knowledge, individuals may choose to use cocaine to avoid these negative emotions, i.e., anxiety and depression.

    4. What makes residential rehab treatment so effective?

    Because residential treatment removes triggers from the environment, it effectively prevents the use of cocaine at the most vulnerable first stage of addiction recovery. Another major factor in residential treatment effectiveness is the expert knowledge and experience of the rehab clinic staff. Making it easier for the patient to go through the recovery process, and make a full and sustainable recovery. Helping them get back to a healthy life.

    5. Can I use my phone during inpatient rehab?

    This will vary from clinic to clinic. In the Abbeycare cocaine rehab program, we operate common-sense policy reuse of devices. This means, if any device is interrupting or preventing proper engagement with the recovery program, you will be asked to hand the device in.

    Further, if the device has been detrimental to the development of your addiction, you will be asked to hand the device in. After that, device usage is subject to Abbeycare’s staff discretion and usage policies at all times.

    6. How much cocaine is too much?

    The risk of a cocaine-related overdose (OD) is determined by the following :

    • Drugs' purity levels
    • The amount of cocaine taken
    • The individual's health state

    While a cocaine overdose is generally unintentional, a few suicide attempts have been reported to occur while taking cocaine. Overdoses that are accidental are possible when the quality of the cocaine taken is higher than usual, in large quantities or following a period of abstinence. Additionally, a typical unintentional overdose of cocaine involves mixing it with alcohol or other drugs at the same time.

    If you have more question you can read more about Cocaine FAQs in this article. 


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    About the author

    Melany Heger

    Registered Psychologist and Freelance Writer, Jinjin Melany passionately writes about mental health issues, addiction, eating disorders and parenting since 2015. Read more about Melany on LinkedIn. Content reviewed by Laura Morris (Clinical Lead).

    Last Updated: March 12, 2023