What Is Cocaine?

If you have a loved one who has been struggling with cocaine addiction, you may have the question, “What is cocaine?” And if this is the case, you’re not alone.

Many individuals find themselves in a situation where a loved one is struggling with a cocaine addiction, but they are unsure what exactly this drug is and how it affects the body. Below, we will outline what is cocaine, how it affects the body, and what you can do to find help for your loved one.

Need immediate help for a cocaine addiction? Call us today at 866.605.0532 for to enroll in our cocaine rehab center.

So, What Is Cocaine?

What is cocaine? Cocaine is a stimulant drug, and it is, historically, quite old. In South America, coca was ingested and chewed for thousands of years as a stimulant. Over a century ago, the central chemical of this natural drug (cocaine hydrochloride) was isolated and purified. It then became the essential ingredient in numerous elixirs and tonics. In fact, an early form of Coca-Cola was originally a health remedy that included a small amount of cocaine in its list of ingredients.

It was a while before doctors, and others in the medical field discovered the detrimental effects of cocaine. Soon we found that this drug can cause a powerful addiction. Therefore, today, cocaine is on the list of Schedule II drugs. Schedule II drugs are those that have an extremely high potential for abuse and addiction. In some select situations, Schedule II drugs are prescribed for serious medical reasons.

On the street, you’ll see cocaine as a fine white powder. Other names for cocaine include blow, coke, powder, C, or snow. The effects of cocaine are nearly instantaneous and extremely intense.

What Does Cocaine Do to the Body?

Long-term effects associated with cocaine use and abuse are extremely serious. With regular use of cocaine, tolerance generally develops first. Tolerance is the phenomenon of requiring exceedingly higher amounts of cocaine in order to achieve the same initial high experienced from a drug.

Cocaine can also lead to addiction. Addiction is a compulsive drug seeking and using behavior, characterized by the inability to stop using drugs despite negative consequences. When someone becomes addicted to cocaine, they will likely compulsively use the drug even though it may interfere with their work, school and personal relationships.

Additionally, full-blown addiction is a serious effect caused by cocaine, as well. Addiction is an actual disease. It occurs when an individual has strong physical cravings for a drug and when cessation of that drug causes withdrawal symptoms to appear.

Other effects of cocaine abuse include the following:

• Respiratory failure
• Severe tooth decay
• Weight loss and malnutrition
• Sexual problems
• Severe depression
• Mood disturbances and irritability
• Permanent damage to blood vessels in the brain and heart
• Damage to the lungs, kidneys, and liver

Continued cocaine abuse can lead to even some serious health problems, including heart attacks, respiratory failure and stroke. It can also cause sudden death. Therefore, it’s important to seek professional help if you are struggling with cocaine addiction or abuse. In fact, there are many effective treatment options available that can help you get your life back on track.

Cocaine Withdrawal Effects

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can vary in intensity and duration depending on how much and how long the person has been using cocaine. Some common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Cravings for the drug
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Sleep problems

These symptoms can be quite uncomfortable and may last for weeks or even months. However, with proper treatment, most people can successfully recover from cocaine withdrawal.

Need Help for Cocaine Addiction? Call Beaches Recovery

Beaches Recovery offers cocaine addiction treatment to anyone who needs it. In addition to detox services, therapy, and intensive addiction counseling at residential inpatient treatment, we also offer the following holistic recovery amenities for those struggling with cocaine addiction:

• Equine therapy
• Family therapy
• Mindfulness-based treatment
• Anger management
• Acupuncture therapy

To learn more about our programs and to begin treatment, call our Jacksonville, Florida recovery center at 866.605.0532. We have helped thousands of individuals recover from cocaine addiction. We can help you or your loved one as well. Give us a call today.