5 Myths About Cocaine Abuse

Depending on where you live, cocaine can be either a luxury or quite accessible. Either way, it’s evident that this commonly used drug is a part of various lifestyles and social settings. Hence why it’s often impossible to recognize the moment when cocaine starts to turn into an addiction. To understand cocaine addiction the right way, it’s necessary to debunk common myths about cocaine abuse. This guide can serve you to educate more on the matter, and thus help someone you suspect is slipping into severe addiction that may overtake their entire life. Also, you may come to us if your loved one, or even yourself, suffers from the consequences of incessant cocaine abuse. Here at Little Creek Recovery, we provide much-needed substance abuse treatment programs to help patients regain their lives and overcome addictions.

#1 Occasional cocaine use can’t be addictive

Another misconception about cocaine is that it can’t make you addicted if you use it occasionally. For example, it’s believed that cocaine is a harmless party drug when used in moderation. However, no matter what level of tolerance or self-control one has, it’s not excluded that occasional cocaine use can progress to severe addiction. Saying yes to cocaine every now and then is risky for the body and psyche in the long run.

This notion is followed by the opinion that it takes a lot of time until the addiction develops. However, that’s not the case. Cocaine produces severe psychological dependence that leads to compulsive drug abuse. Over time, a person using cocaine develops tolerance to the substance. For this reason, the doses increase, which further has a detrimental impact on overall well-being. It’s not a coincidence that it takes a lot of time and effort to recover from addiction to cocaine.

#2 Cocaine makes people less shy and more sociable

Cocaine is never a cure for shyness. Ingesting cocaine won’t make you a social butterfly all of sudden. That “high” an individual using cocaine gets from using cocaine comes from its stimulative properties. It gives a temporary and false sense of confidence and levels up the energy. This is why many feel they can talk to larger groups of people only by relying on cocaine. However, what happens is that prolonged cocaine use transitions into addiction before you know it. An individual who abuses cocaine on regular basis develops not only a physical but also psychological dependence. The brain becomes trained to function in social settings only with the help of cocaine. At this stage, a person who abuses the substance is completely dependent on it. The truth is that cocaine only hinders your further socialization. After some time, you might develop levels of anxiety you haven’t seen before, become paranoid, and so on. Unfortunately, cocaine is advertised by many as a social booster that makes you less self-conscious about how you appear to others.

Let’s say that person X has problems socializing or relaxing at parties. Their friend recommends cocaine to forget about insecurities they might have and have a good time. On the other hand, we have a person Y –  confident and unbothered. Person Y believes they have complete self-control and that addiction is the least possible outcome. Both persons can slip into more frequent cocaine abuse due to various reasons which result in continuous cravings for more of it.

#3 Mentally strong people can’t get addicted to cocaine

Cocaine addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of social status and personality. When the drug overtakes one’s life on a physical and mental level, it becomes hard to maintain self-control and sustain cravings. Furthermore, those who are prone to risky behavior will have their inhibitors shut due to cocaine abuse, and end up in unpleasant, even life-threatening situations. Studies show that people abusing cocaine are likely to engage in rage driving, risky intimate encounters that result in STDs, etc.

#4 Cocaine helps with creativity

Due to its stimulating properties, cocaine makes you energized and alert. However, this doesn’t have to do anything with creative processes. The energy cocaine gives can be attained through practicing a healthy lifestyle. Regardless, businesspeople, artists, and others tend to swear on the uplifting benefits of cocaine use that help them finish their work/projects. In fact, anyone who resorts to cocaine as their go-to booster will struggle to fall asleep and have problems with focus.

#5 Cocaine makes you think clearly

Clear thinking is also associated with cocaine use. Just like any stimulant, cocaine boosts cognition for a short period of time and gives the feeling of having a sharp mind. This effect, however, wears off quickly, leaving the user feeling tired, and mentally drained. Long-term cocaine abuse leads to:

• impaired cognition
• slurred speech 
• troubles with memory
• paranoia
• enhanced anxiety
• irritability 

To say that cocaine can seriously tamper with cognitive functions is an understatement. While it provides alertness, it simultaneously messes up brain chemistry. Furthermore, long-term use of cocaine leads to insomnia.

Addiction to cocaine is one of the hardest to treat

Those mentioned above and many other stereotypes about the benefits of cocaine do more harm than good. The very toxicity of cocaine is the reason behind a plethora of physiological and psychological problems, as well as high mortality rates. A fatal outcome is more often than not with untreated cocaine addiction. 

Cocaine addiction doesn’t discriminate. It affects all age groups, as shown by the following stats for the year 2022:

• 2.5% of minors have at least tried cocaine
• 0.5% of people developed a cocaine addiction
• Nearly 20,000 people died from a cocaine overdose

Cocaine is all but beneficial to your body and mind

The truth is that there isn’t such a thing as a substance that influences creative processes, mental sharpness, etc. However, various underlying psychological problems, anxiety, and insecurities make people continue using cocaine and ignore long-term damage to their bodies and mind. If this is you, don’t hesitate to seek help, and switch to healthier outlets and ways to keep your energy levels up.

Seek help at specialized treatment centers

If you or your loved one happen to struggle with cocaine abuse, know there are places to turn to for help. Thanks to the advancements in medicine, psychology, and innovative addiction recovery approaches, cocaine addiction rehab programs have become a lot more efficient. All you have to do is search for a proper rehab facility where the team of experts will take care of your needs.

Combined medical and psychotherapy

Administered medical detox helps patients remove the drug from their bodies. In addition, proper psychotherapy plays a big role in treating psychological causes tied to addiction. Furthermore, modern cocaine rehab treatments include Dual Diagnosis as a way to treat cocaine addiction and co-existing psychiatric disorders. Fortunately, there are many Dual Diagnosis treatment centers Pennsylvania residents highly praise.

Support from the closest ones

You will find that many rehab centers include family therapies as well. This way, family members can have a closer look into their loved one’s recovery. It also helps mend broken relationships due to addiction. Moreover, studies show that patients feel more hopeful about their recovery journey when supported by their loved ones. Family therapy is a part of both the rehab and aftercare process.

Inpatient vs outpatient cocaine rehab

There are two main rehab programs you can opt for: inpatient and outpatient. Depending on the levels of care required, and personal preference, both options can work well for you. For instance, if you choose the outpatient detox rehab PA facilities provide, you’ll be able to balance between treatments and work/family obligations. Outpatient cocaine rehab serves well those who would like to keep working or have a family that depends on them.

On the other hand, inpatient drug rehab in Pennsylvania is proven successful due to the following:

• Patients get to live in an isolated area, away from anything that could distract them from recovery.
• All-day ongoing care and assistance of medical and professional staff whenever it’s necessary.
• Group therapies included in inpatient drug rehab are more effective when patients live in the same facility. Each of them witnesses the progress of others and therefore remains motivated and positive about their recovery process.
• A residential rehab program provides a serene environment that supports your recovery.
• The inpatient rehab program lasts less than outpatient.

Additional activities

When cocaine rehab is paired with yoga or outdoor activities, chances for recovery increase. That’s why rehab centers that offer additional activities (hiking, kayaking…) are considered best for those who struggle with cocaine addiction.

Consider applying for insurance to support rehab

Whether you opt for an inpatient or outpatient cocaine rehab program, make sure to apply for insurance you’re eligible for. Thanks to the legislation that equates severe physical injuries with mental health disorders and drug abuse, it’s possible to obtain 100% insurance coverage.

Before you begin researching various insurance options, make sure to:

• … inquire about application requirements (age, income, etc.).
• … check if the insurance coverage plans (Aetna rehab coverage, for example) you qualify for are valid at the rehab centers you’re considering.
• … contact the staff at a chosen rehab center and ask them to help you with paperwork.

Staying sober after cocaine rehab

The post-rehab period is the most important part of your recovery journey. This is where you navigate your new lifestyle, day by day. The skillset you acquired during the cocaine rehab program is put to the test. For many, however, this part is the hardest. Once they g back into society, they might have a hard time coping with cravings, especially in the first two months when the possibility for relapse is the highest. To prevent this, it’s good to have a licensed psychologist on call.

While browsing rehab facilities, pay attention to which one of them offers continuous care after rehab. Post-rehab treatments involve sessions with a therapist and the occasional presence of close family members. The sessions serve to help you stay on track and successfully manage to cope with cravings and mental chatter. If the moment of crisis arises, you can always let your therapist know about it. This is why continuous care is a crucial part of your relapse prevention plan.

What if you don’t feel ready to go back to society after cocaine rehab?

If you believe you need extra time to prepare for resocialization, sober living houses in PA come in handy. There are many advantages to them:

• During your stay at a sober living residence, you have to follow a certain schedule. It involves community work, daily chores, and so on. The purpose of it is to prepare you for upcoming daily life responsibilities.
• You get more time to plan your future life.
• People on the same journey as you will be your neighbors.
• You’ll feel ready to return to society and begin a new life.

You will find the help you need at Little Creek

Cocaine addiction disorder frequently ends up fatally. This is why debunking the common myths about cocaine abuse is essential in order to raise awareness about the damaging effect of cocaine abuse. Furthermore, the right treatment can help patients in need of professional help to fully recover and leave cocaine addiction in the past once and for all. With the range of treatments we at Little Creek Recovery have on offer, you (or your loved one) can reclaim your health, and mental well-being, and begin a new life chapter. Our team remains at your disposal, so don’t hesitate to give us a call, and take a step further toward your recovery.