Prolonged cocaine use alters the expression of the brain’s dopamine receptors, meaning dopamine becomes trapped. This accumulation of dopamine increases the feelings of euphoria. Over time, the body will become accustomed to the increased dopamine levels, and more of the drug will need to be used to achieve the euphoric effect. This change in the brain’s nerve cell structure is just one of the many effects long-term use has on the body.
Continued cocaine use leads to numerous long-term effects on your mind, body and life. The severity of the effects will be determined by how much was used and for how long.
Using cocaine for extended periods can have many lasting effects on your health. Headaches, lung damage, loss of smell and permanent changes to nerve cell receptors are a few common long-term side effects.
One possible health complication associated with long-term cocaine use is malnourishment since the drug can suppress your appetite. Malnourishment can affect the body in several ways, such as limiting mobility and facilitating a suppressed immune system.
Using cocaine for an extended time can also increase your chances of developing serious conditions like heart disease, which enhances your risk of a heart attack or stroke. It’s also possible to experience seizures or convulsions after frequent use. If someone builds up a high enough tolerance, they may use too much of the substance and end up overdosing.
Some people use cocaine to self-medicate or cope with mental health problems. However, cocaine can often make mental health conditions worse. Some side effects of using cocaine include anxiety, paranoia and depression. The longer the substance is used and the higher the dose, the stronger these effects become. In severe cases, someone could develop panic attacks or experience psychosis.
When someone uses cocaine for a long time, their personal relationships are directly affected. Many people keep their substance use a secret from their friends or family, creating distance and strain in these relationships. Substance use also makes the individual feel socially isolated from their support network, which can drive them to use more of the drug. Once the drug use is discovered, this might result in trust issues between family members or friends.
The mood changes associated with cocaine use can also negatively impact personal relationships. In some situations, the irritability and withdrawal symptoms can cause angry or violent outbursts. These situations cause excess strain and stress for all parties involved.
Cocaine use also takes up a lot of time. Someone who uses the drug may spend less time with family members or friends, and the longer an addiction lasts, the more frequently this will occur. It can also impact your work life. Drug use can make you less productive at work and affect your attendance, which then impacts your finances if you lose your job.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a cocaine addiction, you can take multiple treatment avenues. Treatment varies based on the individual and is customized according to the level of care you need. Doctors will also consider your specific circumstances when developing a treatment plan. A professional at Gateway Foundation will speak to you about your substance use and help you determine which level of treatment would be best for your recovery.
The residential treatment program at Gateway Foundation allows you to recover from addiction in a safe and sober environment. You’ll stay at the treatment facility while you recover, with medical support available at all times of the day. Inpatient care provides you with structure and helps you manage withdrawals so there isn’t any chance for relapse.
During your stay, you’ll have access to multiple forms of treatment, such as group and individual therapy, to help you understand your addiction and treat any underlying causes. We treat mental health conditions simultaneously with your addiction so that you can learn healthy coping mechanisms and habits. Anything you might need during your recovery will be available to you at all times so you can take full advantage of the benefits of residential treatment.
Some people have outside responsibilities that prevent them from seeking full-time inpatient care. Some individuals may not want to take time off school to seek treatment. Others have family obligations requiring them to be at home.
Regardless of your reasons for not choosing inpatient, treatment options are still available to allow a successful recovery. With Gateway Foundation’s intensive outpatient program, you have full access to the treatment techniques used in the residential program but without the accommodations. Our intensive outpatient program meets multiple times a week for just a few hours a day. This program is flexible for those with a busy schedule, so you can seek treatment when you’re available.
Some people use an intensive outpatient program to transition between residential treatment and independent living. However, you can also start with this treatment depending on your needs.
Sober living homes serve as a transitional stage between rehabilitation and full-time independent living. Our sober living homes give you a safe environment to live in while adjusting to regular life.
You’ll have access to a comprehensive support network and a structured way of living to help you get back on track. A sober living home also protects you from outside influences that might trigger a relapse. You’ll have plenty of privacy from your family, friends and co-workers so you can recover without judgment.
Sober living homes give you access to a 12 step integration program that teaches you further how to overcome your addiction and gain valuable coping mechanisms to help you adjust to independent living. Even after completing your program, you can access therapies and treatments to help you maintain your success through life.
Motivational interviewing is often used with other therapies or treatments, such as inpatient care. Some people may express resistance to receiving care or believe treatment won’t be effective. During the motivational interviewing process, these concerns are addressed to provide the patient with insight into why treatment is important and why it works.
This treatment option also looks at negative thoughts associated with recovery. Once these thoughts are identified, they’re debunked, and a positive train of thought is encouraged instead. Motivational interviewing asks specific questions and encourages patients to go in-depth about their future plans and how they aim to achieve them.
Asking patients to create specific future plans allows them to put things in perspective and understand how their addiction might be impeding them from making progress. The goal is to show individuals that treatment is the best method for achieving their future goals, whether they are short- or long-term.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is used alongside other treatment methods. CBT helps you identify current thoughts or behaviors that are contributing to addiction. This form of therapy effectively treats various mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. Treatment centers often use it to help address the underlying causes of drug misuse.
Our CBT program helps you focus on your current belief system and enables you to alter your thoughts to frame them in a positive light. Reframing your thoughts also helps you learn coping mechanisms to assist you through stressful situations. Soon, your behaviors and thoughts will begin to align with your values and beliefs. At Gateway Foundation, we offer CBT in individual or group sessions depending on your needs and specific situation.
Cocaine use can massively impact your quality of life. Recovery from a substance use disorder is possible, and Gateway Foundation is here to assist you through your recovery. We personalize your treatment plan to help you reach success and offer multiple evidence-based treatment methods proven to be effective.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use, contact Gateway Foundation to get help. We have multiple treatment centers across Illinois to help you seek treatment for cocaine addiction. We’ll be with you at every step of your treatment and guide you toward a successful recovery.
Our medical team works on the physical aspects of addiction, including withdrawal symptoms and related health issues.
We consider group therapy a critical element of addiction treatment. During group counseling sessions, you can get support from a community of fellow patients.
At Gateway, we aim to nurture every patient’s passions in life and help them build healthy coping mechanisms.
Many cases of addiction have a related condition like pain or a mental health condition. We help patients find these connected issues and build strategies for addressing them.
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