Cocaine is a highly addictive substance that has captured millions of people around the world in a cycle of addiction. It is true that indigenous peoples in South America have used coca leaves for millennia as a stimulant, but the purified powder form, even when “cut” with other substances, could never be considered a “mild” stimulant.
The Cabin Rehab has provided cocaine addiction treatment in Thailand for over a decade. Cocaine addiction is a severe disorder and requires constant care and attention to overcome. Here we discuss the nature of cocaine, its addiction, and what treatments are available.
What is cocaine, and how addictive is it?
As mentioned above, coca leaves were and still are used by people in South America for a long time. However, European scientists concentrated those stimulant effects in a purified, powdered form in the 1900s. While medical doctors and surgeons discovered that cocaine was an effective anesthetic, pseudo-scientists were selling cocaine as a tonic for everything from toothaches to sleeplessness to depression. Ironically, cocaine often caused some of the ailments.
Today, cocaine is highly regulated in most countries around the world. For example, it is a Class A drug in the UK, carrying the biggest penalties for possession and trafficking. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most highly trafficked drugs as well. According to the UN, global cocaine manufacturing increased by 11% from 2019 to 2020 to supply a market of over 20 million users worldwide. In the US, the Department of Health and Human Services estimates that about one million people were addicted to cocaine in 2019. This is because cocaine is extremely addictive, creating a sense of euphoria when it reaches the brain but then often leading to a drastic drop in mood and emotional regulation. In addition, cocaine affects brain chemistry to the point where the brain starts relying on the drug in order to regulate neurotransmitter release, and hence, addiction.
What are the warning signs of cocaine addiction?
Cocaine users enjoy the euphoria of the drug, but their telltale external behaviours may help those who care about them identify that there is a problem. Signs of cocaine use include:
- Seeming overly restless, active, or energetic.
- Being sensitive to surroundings, such as lights or sound.
- Becoming irritable or paranoid.
Cocaine use also has physical indications, such as dilated pupils, high temperature increased blood pressure, and appetite loss.
After the drug’s effects wear off, withdrawal symptoms can range from fatigue and nausea to restlessness, sleep disturbance, and mood swings. In severe cases, withdrawal can manifest as anxiety, depression, anger, or delusions.
Concerns should increase if you observe users (or yourself if you are concerned about your cocaine use) lying and being secretive about their lives, having odd sleeping schedules, acting paranoid or delusional, or suffering from financial problems. Long-term cocaine use can also lead to severe physical conditions, including chronic nosebleeds, asthma, respiratory infections, lowered immunity to infections, and potential cardiac arrest.
Is there medication to treat cocaine addiction?
Unfortunately, no medication is approved for cocaine addiction treatment in Thailand or anywhere else in the world. Many researchers are investigating pharmacological remedies to help battle this type of drug abuse, but currently, no medication has been proven effective enough.
What other types of treatment are there for this addiction?
As with many forms of drug and substance abuse, patients need to be willing to participate in their recovery and have a solid physical and mental health support system as they get back on their feet. Treatment can begin with a detoxification programme under medical supervision. Different strategies could be used to ensure a safe and successful detox depending on the degree of dependency and withdrawal levels. Along with the detox, treatments usually include other behavioural therapies, as well as individual and group therapies for support.
Some patients can recover through outpatient treatments, with personalized treatments that also do not interrupt their daily lives. They can integrate their coping skills and management of triggers in “real time”. However, many patients who struggle with cocaine addiction need the stability, support, privacy, and remoteness of an inpatient facility such as The Cabin Rehab. Our residential programmes are free from distractions and allow patients to focus on their recovery while at the Cabin Rehab, with 24/7 medical oversight across the duration of treatment.
The Cabin provides cocaine addiction treatment in Thailand
The Cabin Rehab provides comprehensive options for cocaine addiction treatment in Thailand. Our residential treatment programme offers a haven for patients to explore and evaluate their addictions, from internal motivations to external triggers, while under the care of highly qualified and experienced staff.
During our admissions process, we help assess patients’ needs and discuss every step of treatment, which includes group therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, personal fitness programmes, neurofeedback, EMDR, art psychotherapy, and others. We also offer a secular 12-step process, including recommended meetings when patients return home from their inpatient treatment with us. The Cabin Rehab also understands that addiction can stem from an underlying mental disorder or trauma, and our team is trained in treating co-occurring disorders or dual diagnoses.
If you, or someone you care about, is battling a cocaine addiction, our staff is available 24 hours a day so that you can get help now.
Call us today, we are here to listen.
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