Florida Cocaine Treatment

The State of Florida has seen its fair share of cocaine addiction, considering how much of the drug is trafficked into the State via other countries. Statistically cocaine is listed as the second most trafficked illegal drug worldwide and activity is increasing. Cocaine is a derivative of the coca plant and most cocaine drug busts occur in South America where the majority of coca plants are grown. Although cocaine is considered a rich man’s drug it is prevalent among all socio-economic strata and is also popular among high school students and young adults who use it as a “club drug”.

Cocaine is highly addictive and it is usually snorted or injected. It is a powerful stimulant that creates intense feelings of well-being or agitation. Abuse of the drug may cause numbing, increased energy and motor function, a fast heart rate, sweating, high blood pressure and blood infections. Acute adverse effects of cocaine abuse include: anxiety, tremors, arrhythmias, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, convulsions, hyperthermia, stroke and sudden cardiac death.

Cocaine blocks the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain causing more concentration of these chemicals to build-up in the brain. The drug easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and prolonged use may eventually cause the barrier to breakdown.

Drug addiction is a serious matter especially when cocaine is involved. The drug addict with a cocaine dependence or addiction problem will need the help of a drug abuse rehab center. The drug addict who has used cocaine for awhile my start to experience sleep problems, lethargy, aches, an insatiable hunger, chronic runny nose, depression and suicidal thoughts. Physical damage will occur to the dopamine neurons in the brain. Other symptoms caused by cocaine drug addiction that the addict may experience are: coughing up blood, bronchospasms, chest pain, fever, lung trauma, asthma, shortness of breath, flu-like symptoms, headaches and gastrointestinal problems.

Addiction Recovery

Cocaine addiction recovery is most effective when supervised by experienced professionals at an inpatient drug abuse rehab center. Florida has many drug abuse rehabs with multi-dimensional treatments available. The professional staff usually consists of medical doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners and others all experienced and certified to help the drug addict. Cocaine addiction recovery will include a medically assisted detox process to ease the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal.

Because drug addiction breaks down the physical body, the drug addict will begin treatment to nourish and rebuild bodily strength. Psychological evaluation and treatment will be on-going and includes individual and group therapy. Emotional problems that led to drug addiction will be addressed as well as co-occurring mental illness.

Different psychological therapies will include cognitive behavior therapy. This process of treatment examines the relationships between thoughts and feelings that affect behavior. Patterns of thinking that lead to self-destructive behavior are studied. The drug addict will begin to recognize the destructive thought patterns that led to their drug addiction. These thoughts will be replaced with positive constructive thoughts. New coping techniques are also taught so that the drug addict can cope with emotional and other challenges that they are facing and also avoid relapse. The therapist will work closely with the patient. Together they will be focused on problem solving with the goal of learning to cope with the symptoms of mental illness.

Other treatments available in drug addiction recovery include family counseling, 12-step programs, art and music therapy, yoga, dance, sports, fitness, massage, spirituality and more. The patient is treated holistically to achieve and maintain a well-balanced lifestyle. Aftercare is on-going and provides emotional support to assist the patient?s integration back into society.

Drug addiction does not have to be a dead-end street. Evidence-based, successful addiction recovery is available at drug abuse rehabs in the State of Florida. Contact a drug abuse rehab today and begin your journey back to good physical and mental health.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.