Cocaine is a powerful drug that changed the way we perceive “street drugs.” In the ’70s and ’80s, cocaine was used as a party drug for high-end politicians, musicians, and actors.
Now, cocaine has evolved and has made its way into the lives of everyday civilians. People from the ages of 18 to 45 are abusing this drug. If you would like to learn more about cocaine addiction behavior, then keep reading. If a loved one is addicted to cocaine they may need rehab. If they have special requirements or requests then they may need to look into a luxury rehab.
What Is Cocaine?
Cocaine is a harsh drug that comes from the leaves of an exotic plant called the coca plants. These plants are primarily grown in South America in moist settings.
The natural coca leaf is non-toxic and safe for human consumption. The effects of this leaf give a mild rush of energy, similar to coffee. Even the locals use this leaf to chew and use in teas.
Nevertheless, the coca leaf is abused and made into a harmful drug. Having a cocaine addiction is dangerous because of the chemicals that are mixed to enhance the natural effects.
Some of the harmful chemicals include:
- Ammonia
- Salicylamide
- Acetone
- Sodium carbonate
These chemicals are not made for human consumption and can cause severe health conditions. In some cases, traces of cement and fertilizer have been found in cocaine samples! Gasoline is also a popular chemical found in cocaine.
Cocaine Addiction Signs and Symptoms
There are different cocaine addiction signs to look out for, but sometimes, they become overlooked. If you’re not too familiar with addiction and drug abuse, you might have some trouble differentiating these signs.
This is common. Drug addiction is multi-faceted and has many different signs. However, the three signs to look out for are behavioral, social, and physical changes.
Cocaine Addiction Behavior
You might be wondering how to spot cocaine addictions. One of the first signs to look out for is severe mood and behavior changes. Cocaine is a tricky drug that changes a person’s brain chemistry, leading to many behavioral changes.
Some cocaine addiction symptoms include losing appetite, anger or irritability, changes in sleep patterns or insomnia, overly talking, and having higher energy than usual.
If your loved one suffers from any preexisting mental illnesses, these signs might be hard to distinguish from. However, cocaine will worsen any current mental illness symptoms, making it easier to know if your loved one abuses cocaine.
Lastly, many users will not accept or even see how bad their addiction is. That’s why thoughtful and careful intervention is key for a healthy recovery.
With addiction problems, you can begin intervention by simply answering some questions. This will help to see where you fall, in terms of the severity of the addiction.
Social Changes From Cocaine
Cocaine can significantly impact the way your loved one interacts in social settings. Cocaine can also change someone’s relationship, sex life, financial and career status.
Because cocaine is an expensive drug, many users start losing their assets. One of the first known signs to look out for is requesting money from family members and friends. These requests are usually paired with excuses and for why they missed their bills.
However, most of the time, the user will use this money to feed their addiction. Another change to look for is any changes in relationships and risky sexual behaviors.
Many cocaine users find it challenging to maintain healthy relationships because their addiction takes over. This can look like having random outbursts and spending less time with the family.
Lastly, many users lose their employment because they are not able to have a regular work routine. Many users might use cocaine as a way to stimulate themselves before work.
However, this only works for so long. If your loved one has lost their job or multiple jobs in the last few months, cocaine might be the culprit.
Physical Changes From Cocaine
Physical changes in users began to appear early on in their addiction. These initial changes may not be drastic, which is why many people don’t notice. However, if you’re already having doubts and the above signs are showing, then it might be easier to detect these signs.
These are the initial signs to look out for if you suspect your loved one is using:
- Dilated pupils
- Teeth grinding
- Runny nose
- Sweating
The long-term effects of cocaine can drastically change someone’s appearance and health. Over time, cocaine can deteriorate someone’s nasal wall, which causes swelling, persistent bleeding, and even holes in the nose.
Other signs to look for are:
- Loss of smell
- Extreme weight loss
- Low bone density
- Cognitive impairment
Long-term effects cannot be reversed and can lead to death. It’s crucial to intervene before these changes become permanent.
Intervention and Rehab
Cocaine addiction signs should be carefully tracked and monitored. This addiction is very hard to defeat without professional help. That’s why we advise family members to seek out external assistance. Rehab centers are a great place to start.
If your family members struggle with addiction and mental health issues, then a dual diagnosis could help solve these underlying issues. Reputable rehab centers that offer this service will help provide the tools for a healthy lifestyle while also helping diagnose and treat mental disorders.
Cocaine addiction behavior can also lead to other unhealthy lifestyle choices like gambling, fighting, and risky sexual behaviors. Rehab centers will address all of these issues in a comprehensive and open-minded environment.
Lastly, because cocaine is so powerful, the detox process can be dangerous as well. However, a reputable rehab center will offer a safe and comfortable detox process. With monitored and medicated steps for an easy and healthy detox.
Get Help Today
Cocaine addiction behavior is very noticeable when you know what to look for. If you suspect a loved one is using this addictive drug, don’t wait until it’s too late. Get help today.For more information on drug addiction and rehab, visit our website.
