Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant that has become so mainstream that people often forget just how dangerous it can be. It’s a drug that puts a significant strain on your entire body, including your heart, and could result in potentially deadly overdoses.
If you have developed a cocaine addiction, the right option is to choose a treatment center that can provide the support you need. By turning to cocaine addiction treatment, you can break free from the dangerous hold the drug has on your life. Learn more about cocaine and the body and why getting assistance is so essential for your health. At Promises Behavioral Health, we can help you or a loved one start on the road to recovery.
Cocaine and the Body – Its effects
This Schedule II drug has a number of long- and short-term side effects to be aware of.
Short-Term Side Effects
Cocaine triggers the flood of dopamine while also enhancing the activity of norepinephrine in the brain, which impacts attention, mood, and arousal. This means that even a small dose of cocaine can lead to feelings of euphoria and increased energy. The effects start immediately.
Because the drug constricts blood vessels, some of its effects are sweating and a faster heart rate. Blood pressure can also spike.
Other short-term cocaine side effects include:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Vertigo
- Muscle twitching
- Pupil dilation
- Increased body temperature
Those who consume high doses of cocaine can also experience paranoia and psychosis, along with heart rhythm disturbances.
Long-Term Side Effects
Taking cocaine for long periods of time can leave you with serious health issues. Some of the most severe of these involve your heart.
Because the drug causes spikes in blood pressure, long-term cocaine side effects can include the development of angina, tachycardia, and arrhythmias. It can even lead to heart attacks.
Other long-term side effects include:
- Respiratory problems
- Sinus cavity damage
- Seizures
- Mini-strokes
- Brain shrinking
- Tremors
- Liver damage
- Gastrointestinal damage
- Kidney damage
Long-term cocaine consumption also makes you more likely to develop serious infectious diseases, including HIV and hepatitis. These illnesses can be the result of sharing needles or of risky behavior, such as engaging in unprotected sex.
Treating Cocaine Addiction
If you’re living with cocaine addiction, the risk of overdosing or suffering other health issues is high. To help yourself heal, it’s essential that you consider treatment programs. These programs allow you to get therapy that addresses the underlying cause of the problem while ensuring that you’re comfortable while going through withdrawal.
Treatment programs offer group therapy sessions, which allow you to meet others who are living with addictions. This can go a long way toward helping you feel less alone, which is common in those who have substance use disorders. You can also learn how to better manage interpersonal relationships, which is essential for healing.
One of the best things about these programs is that you can choose the exact level of support you need. You can opt for inpatient services that allow you to step away from your daily life and focus on getting care, or you can decide on outpatient programs if you have family or work responsibilities that you can’t take a break from.
Join Promises Behavioral Health for Cocaine Addiction Treatment Today
Cocaine is a dangerous drug that can cause a number of serious side effects that could put your life at risk. To find your sobriety once more, consider turning to a treatment program that meets your needs. That’s what we can offer at Promises Behavioral Health.
With a number of program options that allow you to find the right path to sobriety, our centers offer the exact level of support you need and deserve. You don’t have to live with an addiction when there’s help available. Contact our admissions team at Promises Behavioral Health by calling 844.875.5609 or by completing our online contact form.