Treatment Options for Crack Cocaine Addiction

Need help for crack cocaine addiction?

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that is made from the leaves of the coca plant. The drug is classified as a Schedule II controlled narcotic in the U.S. Crack cocaine is a crystallized form of cocaine that is sold on the street, and is commonly called: blow, C, toot, coke, flake crack, rocks, candy, dice and snow. The drug is called crack because when it is heated and smoked it makes a crackling sound. Crack is the most potent form of cocaine and it creates a powerful, but short-lived high in the addict, and this may cause the individual to use the drug repeatedly, creating a crack cocaine addiction.

Initially crack will produce an intense state of euphoria, but constant use of the drug can create many adverse health effects. Crack cocaine addiction may cause a host of symptoms such as:

• Heart attacks
• Convulsions
• Stroke
• Respiratory failure
• Hyperthermia
• Heart, liver and kidney damage
• Seizures, coma and sudden death

Crack cocaine addiction can psychologically affect the addict in many ways, often causing depression that may lead to suicide. It may also cause edginess, anger, bizarre and hostile behavior, psychosis and paranoia. Crack cocaine has many detrimental effects on the body and mind of an addict, and long-term damage from the drug can range from: organ damage, hormonal disturbances, damage to the central nervous system, psychoses and much more.

If you have a friend who is addicted and want to know how to get someone off of crack, the best coke addiction treatment can be found at a drug rehab center. You can receive the best care by medical professionals who are experienced and knowledgeable in drug addiction and recovery. At the rehab center you will receive a medically supervised, crack cocaine detox process where you will gradually be weaned off of the drug.

Withdrawal symptoms can be difficult but the medical staff will be able to administer medications to help alleviate many symptoms, and you will be kept safe and as comfortable as possible. Withdrawal of crack can be severe for addicts who have used the drug for a long time at very high doses. That is why a medical detox at a rehab center is the best coke addiction treatment. Beside physical withdrawal symptoms, the addict may experience intense psychological symptoms also. Some crack withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Anxiety and agitation
• Severe mood swings
• Exhaustion
• Intense drug cravings
• Nausea and vomiting
• Suicidal ideation
• Depression
• Psychosis

Withdrawal from crack cocaine can be physically and mentally exhausting, and the patient may be challenged in many ways. The drug often causes metabolic processes to increase, and when the drug is removed from the body these processes can fall to a dangerous level. With the help of drug addiction professionals at the rehab center, the patient will be monitored and treated to keep his body stabilized and out of danger. The patient may also receive additional support from medications to keep mental and physical symptoms at bay. A crack cocaine detox should never be attempted without the help of medical professionals who are experienced in crack cocaine addiction and withdrawal.

Selecting the right drug rehab center is vital to the success of recovery from crack addiction. Cocaine addiction treatment should include addressing all the patient’s physical, mental and emotional problems. If the patient also has a co-occurring mental disorder it should also be treated along with the addiction recovery. Cognitive behavioral therapy is essential for the patient, so that he can begin re-programming his mind to rid him self of dysfunctional thought and behavior patterns and replacing them with positive, healthy ones. Mental disturbances that were caused by the drug may have to be treated long-term, depending on the severity of the damage.

Recovery from crack cocaine is a long-term process, but it can be done. If you are committed to the process and remain in treatment, you will be able to kick the habit and start living a happy and fruitful life again.

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.