Cocaine Addiction in North Bergen, NJ
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug that is most commonly used for recreational purposes. The rate of cocaine addiction in North Bergen continues to be a serious public health concern, as the drug has an immediate impact on the brain's chemistry.
What is Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine acts on the central nervous system as a strong stimulant. Taking the drug creates an artificial trigger that signals the brain to release a surge of dopamine and endorphins into the system. At the same time, the substance inhibits the body's ability to recycle dopamine effectively, which creates the ‘high' or sense of euphoria users feel for a short time after taking it.
When the effects of the substance wear off, the user experiences the exact opposite effects. Coming down off the drug's high is known as a ‘crash', which can be so severe that many users will immediately take more cocaine in an effort to recapture the good feelings.
Some users continue to take more cocaine each time the effects wear off for several days, often not sleeping for the entire duration. This is known as a ‘binge-crash' cycle.
A person who abuses cocaine over a period of time is at an increased risk of a number of serious health risks, including addiction. Seeking specific cocaine addiction from our treatment programs in North Bergen is the first step on the road to recovery.
Dangers of Cocaine Use
Cocaine abuse can lead to a range of negative side effects and serious health consequences. These include:
- Increased body temperature
- Rapid heart beat
- Elevated blood pressure
- Increased risk of heart attack and cardiac arrest
- Cocaine induced stroke
- Psychosis
- Schizophrenia
Cocaine Statistics
The DEA released a report in 2013 showing that more than 500,000 people across America visited a hospital emergency room for cocaine-related problems in 2015.
Further statistics published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse show that there were 6.784 deaths caused by cocaine overdose across America in 2015, an increase from 5,415 overdose fatalities the year before.
Statistics released by the New Jersey Department of Human Services shows there were 65,553 people admitted into a drug rehab treatment facility in 2014. Across the entire state, 3,305 people listed cocaine as the primary drug of addiction. In Hudson County alone, 201 people were admitted for cocaine addiction treatment.
Cocaine Addiction Signs and Symptoms
There are some common signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction to watch for. These include:
- Intense cravings to take more cocaine
- Loss of control over the amount and frequency of use
- Tolerance, or needing larger doses to get the same effects
- Dependency, or addiction
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
Cocaine withdrawal often has only mild physical symptoms. As a result, many users believe they only need to make it through a short detox process to be somehow cured of their addiction.
What those people underestimate is the severity of the psychological symptoms associated with withdrawal. The actual withdrawal symptoms a user experiences will vary, depending on the length of use, the dose being taken, and the severity of the addiction. Common symptoms include:
- Ferocious cravings to take more cocaine
- Irritability and agitation
- Itching under the skin, or "coke bugs"
- Excessive fatigue
- Elevated blood pressure
- Increased heartrate
- Dysphoria, or dissatisfaction with life in general
- Vivid nightmares
- Paranoia
- Delusions
- Psychosis
- Profound depression
- Suicidal thoughts and tendencies
Many people believe that drug cravings are all psychological, or in the mind. However, research has shown that abusing cocaine causes significant changes in the brain's chemistry. When the user tries to stop intake of the drug suddenly, the brain is unable to adapt, which causes a range of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Treatment for Cocaine Addiction in North Bergen
Reaching out and asking for help with cocaine addiction in North Bergen is the first step on the road to recovery. Our cocaine addiction treatment begins with the process of drug detox in North Bergen, which allows the body to eliminate the drug's toxins.
There are no medications available to treat cocaine addiction in North Bergen. However, specialists in a cocaine addiction treatment center can administer prescription medications that can relieve some of the symptoms associated with withdrawal. For example, some patients may need antidepressants or anticonvulsant medications.
Treatment for cocaine addiction in North Bergen is largely centered on cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling.
Cocaine addiction recovery can be challenging for some people, especially without specialist treatments like those from our drug addiction rehab in North Bergen. Trying to overcome the grip of addiction at home dramatically increases the risk of relapse.
By comparison, seeking specific cocaine addiction treatment gives the recovering person the opportunity to learn strong new relapse prevention strategies designed to help them stay clean and sober over the long term.
Call North Bergen Drug Rehab Centers today at (877) 804-1531