According to statistics provided by the United Nation, it is estimated that 17 million people worldwide used cocaine in 2012. The amazing fact to this statistic, that in the U.S. cocaine contributes to about 6,000 deaths each year. It is a stimulant that individuals seek where the is high similar to heroin that Cocaine can provide your first time. It is an illegal substance and stimulant that raises levels of dopam
ine in the brain, is often sought out to give individuals that euphoric out of body experience and it can provide an individual to high energy and extreme joy.
These feeling of euphoria can often disguise the dangers or that the drug or what it can produce, such as extreme mood swings, anxiety or confusion, depression, pain, and dysphoria. The more that an individual uses the substance the chances of that person having a heart attack grows. Constant use of the drug can have individuals displaying signs of schizophrenia and other mental or personality disorders. Those addicts that overindulge in their use of the stimulant show many negative effects both mentally and physically and they end up hurting those around them because the drug seems to be more important than relationships or family.
1. WHAT IS COCAINE DETOXIFICATION?
This is a process that a patient goes through where they receive assistance for the withdrawal symptoms with medication. The withdrawal process can be a very painful and extremely traumatizing process where the patient can go through depression and anxiety. The proper medical supervision of a doctor or nurse can make the transition a lot easier. Cocaine causes a strong psychological dependence due to how it affects the brain.
2. WHAT HAPPENS DURING A COCAINE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAM?
Because there is no medical detox process for cocaine use—unlike alcohol abuse—doctors and medical professionals dealing with the addicted individual will perform tests and determine the best options for detoxification.
Once in a detox program, the amount of time needed will vary for each individual, but, in most cases:
- Within the first few hours: There is an initial assessment by a professional staff member as the patient begins detoxification and from those tests, the staff decides what will be the best program for that individual. The staff will need to know the medical history of the patient, how often they used cocaine, and what is their current living situation.
- After initial assessment: Medication could be prescribed to the patient to put them in the best possible situation for recovery and this will decrease the withdrawal or symptoms that will occur.
- Symptoms begin: For the habitual user, the effects can occur after the last time they ingested the drug. For those who did less of the drug, symptoms may take longer to take effect on the patient.
- Stabilization: Due to Cocaine being used or cut with other drugs, doctors will observe the pa
-
- tient seeking treatment for any adverse effects or complications. Within the first week, the psychological withdrawal symptoms will decrease after one week; physical withdrawal will last longer depending on the individual.
3. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON COCAINE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS?
When a patient decides to rid themselves of the drug they will experience various withdrawal symptoms. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- extreme cravings for the drug
- nausea & vomiting
- paranoia
- depression
- insomnia
- anxiety
-
- itching
- mood swings
- irritability
- exhaustion & fatigue
Some medical professionals recommend to aid in comfort of these symptoms, doctors can prescribe a wide range of medications. Anti-depressant desipramine as well as stimulants including pemoline and methylphenidate have all been used to prevent psychiatric episodes. Carbmazepine and similar drugs have also been used to help curb cravings. To steady heart rate, anxiety and similar reactions to withdrawal, beta-blockers are often prescribed.
4. WHAT KINDS OF TREATMENT FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE?
The control and possession the drug of cocaine can have on an individual, the rehab takes place in either inpatient or outpatient depending on the resources of the individual
The two main differences between inpatient and outpatient facilities are that inpatient addiction treatment usually the stay is anywhere from 30 to 90 days and you need to remain at the facility. Outpatient treatment centers this is there for the patient to spend the day doing a variety of classes and return to their home at the end of the day.
To get off on the right foot for your recovery, it is recommended the rehabilitation and detox for cocaine needs to happen in residential treatment and this can go on for at the minimum of one month and can go as long as one year. The importance of the residential program is to provide structure and new tools for the patient to use instead of going back to their drug of choice or old behavior. The importance of beginning a new diet, seeing the nutritional value of food for the body and the use of vitamin supplements that can be used to help with the craving and detox process.
5. HOW LONG DOES COCAINE DETOX TYPICALLY LAST?
This part of the process varies and each person is different depending on the length of using, any other drugs that may have been involved as well as the background of the family history. Inpatient monitoring for medical complications will continue until the patient reaches a point of stabilization. The length of time for monitoring and stabilization will vary based on how long the patient has abused cocaine along with any co-occurring medications or disorders. After the detoxification, any physical dependence of cocaine has passed; mental and emotional dependence, however, remains, which, in the case of cocaine, are the most difficult parts to overcome.
6. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DETOX IS COMPLETED?
When the detox process is completed there needs to be a strong look at where the rest of the recovery will take place. This is a piece of the recovery process that needs much consideration because this needs to occur every day.
- Partial hospitalization or day treatment. After initial detox, these programs provide limited hours of treatment each day at a hospital or clinic for patients who still live at home.
- Outpatient programs. Run at hospitals, health clinics, residential facilities and counselor’s offices, these programs run in the evenings and on weekends for those who continue to work and who have a supportive and stable family environment to continue their aftercare at home.
- Intensive outpatient programs. Usually requiring 9-20 hours of treatment per week, these treatments are more intense than regular outpatient programs but operate much the same way.
At times the withdrawal from Cocaine can drive many to other substances such as alcohol, opiates and other drugs that are easy to access. They need to gain the feeling or graving in another form such as exercise, meditation, meetings or hobbies. It is recommended by medical professionals that many behavioral treatments become part of their initial recovery.
7. HOW MUCH DOES COCAINE DETOX COST?
The expense that can comes with Cocaine rehabilitation can be close to $20,000 or more for a 35-day treatment program. Hopefully the Insurance can help offset these costs and will usually completely cover detoxification.
Of course the Outpatient detox cost is much less from $1,000 to $1,500. What can also go into the cost is the amount of supervision and medication needed.
Although there is a high cost, you can not put a price on the cost of what it takes get a loved one the foot for recovery.. Seek help today.
