Crack & Cocaine Addiction Treatment

How is Cocaine Used?

Cocaine in its powder form is usually snorted through the nose or dissolved in liquid and injected. It can also be taken orally — some users rub it into their gums so it absorbs more quickly into the bloodstream for a fast high. Alternatively, crack is most often smoked through a pipe.

In films, wealthy people are often portrayed doing lines in bathrooms of bourgeois house parties or at clubs — as a result, people often romanticize cocaine and think of it as an exciting drug that will make them seem successful. It’s true that powder cocaine is expensive; however, the more typical result of this is that people drain their bank accounts to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on this drug once they become addicted.

Crack cocaine is relatively less expensive and is historically more often found among poorer communities; for many years in the ‘80s and ‘90s, crack wreaked havoc in inner-city neighborhoods and caused rampant unemployment and crime. Unfortunately, crack is often “cut,” or mixed, with other substances to make it cheaper for people to make. But these other substances can be toxic or dangerous and may lead to serious health problems or fatal overdosing.Addiction to cocaine is much more prevalent than many drugs, in that people who smoke crack or snort cocaine can become addicted to very quickly. Many people don’t realize this powerful grip on the mind that cocaine can have. Cocaine absorbs quickly into the bloodstream and delivers a strong, fast high — the instant gratification of this drug can become difficult to resist over time.

Adverse Effects of Cocaine

Crack and cocaine overdoses happen more often than many people realize. The problem is that many users don’t know how much is too much. Over time, users build up a tolerance, requiring more and more of the drug to feel high. People addicted to cocaine are continuously chasing their first high but always need higher doses to get close. What’s more, both powder cocaine and crack are made and sold illegally, so when a person buys these drugs they can never truly know what they are getting. People may buy powder cocaine mixed with anything from baking powder to heroin; crack may likewise contain other synthetic stimulants that cause overdose or an adverse reaction.

In addition, those addicted to cocaine give up everything they once loved to feed their addiction. Many destructive and even dangerous activities come from cocaine use. At Cypress Lake Recovery we have heard stories of people with a history of arrests from things like theft or prostitution just to fund their addiction to cocaine. People who become addicted to cocaine are likely to lose their jobs, alienate their loved ones and struggle to find happiness without being high.

When someone is addicted to cocaine, there are some physical signals we can look for and notice readily. Cocaine and crack addiction will show on a person based on the way they take the drug as well. For example, those who snort coke might develop chronic nosebleeds or sustain damage to their nasal septum. Those who smoke crack might have burns around their lips or on their hands from the hot glass pipe. The body will rapidly decline when cocaine or crack is consumed in high doses over time. We see heart defects develop since the high increases the heart rate, as well as stress-related responses that overstimulate the nervous system. Because of the chemically-altering effects on the brain, cognitive function changes and conditions such as ADHD, depression, anxiety and OCD develop. Cocaine does permanent damage to the brain and body, and to stop these issues from getting worse, treatment is required.

Cocaine/crack addiction treatment in Texas

At Cypress Lake Recovery, we treat all of these negative effects of cocaine. We treat the mind, heal the body and fuel the spirit. Our holistic approach to addiction recovery can help our patients develop life skills, motivate them to change their lifestyle and learn to treat their bodies with respect. Our patients suffering from crack and cocaine addiction take part in yoga, mindfulness and meditation exercises, daily counseling sessions and more to share their struggles and develop healthy habits. We see improvement in social interaction and self-care, as well as in general mood, self-confidence and outlook on life.