Treatment for Cocaine Addiction
Can Restore Your Quality of Life

Cocaine Use in the U.S.

Cocaine hydrochloride, commonly referred to as cocaine, is an illegal plant-based drug that is extracted from coca leaves. The drug is typically used as a white powder or may be injected or smoked as freebase¹. Crack can also be produced using cocaine. How the drug is consumed impacts the duration and intensity of its effects, however, the high typically lasts less than an hour².

Chronic users typically develop a tolerance to cocaine and must consume increasing amounts, exacerbating the severity of their addiction and health risks.

According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 14.4 percent of individuals 12 years of age or older have used cocaine during their lifetime³. Additionally, of those nearly 39,000 individuals, over 5,000 reported using cocaine within the past year and nearly 2,000 had used in the past month³. Chronic users typically develop a tolerance to cocaine and must continually use in larger amounts to achieve the same euphoric feelings, increasing the severity of their addiction and related health risks⁴. 

Recognizing Cocaine Use

Classified as a stimulant, individuals using cocaine will often exhibit noticeable changes such as: 

• Dilated pupils
• Loss of appetite
• Hyperactivity
• Weight loss 
• Restlessness
• Heightened confidence

In large quantities, cocaine use can cause violent and unpredictable behavior². Friends and family may also be able to tell if someone has been using by looking for obvious physical signs such as track marks from injecting, burned lips or fingers from smoking, or frequent nosebleeds and runny nose from snorting.

Long-Term Health Effects

While many users are familiar with the short-term effects of cocaine such as increased heartbeat, tremors, and heightened blood pressure, there are serious long-term health effects. The drug can cause problems that affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems⁵ such as:

• Seizures
• Heart palpitations or heart attack
• Development of movement disorders
• Severe paranoia 
• Malnourishment
• Inability to perform sexually
• Suicidal tendencies
• Miscarriages

However, health risks largely depend on the method of use. While overdose can affect first-time users, individuals who use cocaine continuously are obviously at an even higher risk of overdosing and dying as a result².

Treating Cocaine Dependency

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has not yet approved any medications to be used in the treatment of cocaine addiction⁶. However, Dr. Bober has developed relationships with trusted and experienced therapists in the area. These doctors may recommend techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or contingency management (CM) for patients struggling with cocaine addiction. While CBT focuses on building cognitive skills to avoid relapse and help patients cope with the issues in their lives associated with their drug use, CM uses positive reinforcement to help motivate patients to remain sober. In addition to these highly effective treatments, many patients also find community support groups to be crucial in maintaining a substance-free lifestyle. 

Overcome Addiction 

Between 2000 and 2016, over 10,000 deaths in the U.S. were attributed to cocaine overdose⁷. Do not allow yourself or a loved one to become a statistic. Find the help you need today by calling Dr. Bober's office at (954) 967-6776.