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Today, the opioid addiction crisis is all over the news and its effects are certainly wide-reaching, but it’s not the first drug addiction epidemic our society has faced. As recently as the 1980s, cocaine use caused a similar crisis and, at that time, it was the worst addiction epidemic we had ever seen. Cocaine was found in every neighborhood and in every city. Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any worse, a new form of the drug, called crack cocaine, raised the risks of addiction further.
While it may be fairly easy to find a local cocaine rehab center today, that wasn’t the case in those earlier days. The War on Drugs was just beginning and the concept of drug addiction recovery was still fairly new. The existing addiction treatment facilities lacked the resources to provide the healthy living alternatives that help millions of people to recover today. Additionally, most people weren’t even aware that drug rehab facilities existed in their communities.
Fortunately, a change in the way drug addiction was viewed helped treatment facilities develop healthier approaches. By the 1990s, rehab centers had become more common and many of them had developed new approaches. They contributed to a campaign of drug education that helped people gain a better understanding of drug addiction, while also reaching out to those in need. as information was made more readily available, people suffering from cocaine addiction began to realize that recovery was possible.
Today, cocaine addiction is treated more effectively through inpatient programs. While it may no longer make the headlines it once did, cocaine addiction is still a serious problem for millions of people. Like many other drugs, getting clean and staying that way requires professional assistance and guidance. This is why it’s important for anyone struggling with cocaine addiction to consult an established treatment facility.
What Can a Cocaine Addiction Recovery Program Do for You?
The Effetcs of long term cocaine abuse are quite severe. In fact, people with an ongoing addiction to cocaine will engage in high-risk behavior just to obtain the drugs. They will typically put their own lives in danger and risk the safety of others, just so they can get their supply of the drug. This is just one indication of the powerful hold that cocaine addiction has over an individual
As overwhelming as the addiction can become, it’s still not as difficult to treat as addiction to other drugs. Cocaine addicts don’t experience the same severe withdrawal symptoms, so getting clean doesn’t involve the same health risks. Even so, going through a medical detox is still necessary in most cases. This is often necessary, because the addiction can be too strong to fight without help. In addition to exhibiting frequent and extreme mood swings, the recovering cocaine addict often experiences intense cravings. Without professional help, relapses will become common and interfere with recovery.
Detoxing is just the first step in living a clean and healthy life for a recovering cocaine addict. Once they are clean, they must move to a treatment facility, where they can continue their recovery. Once in rehab, the individual will engage in various types of therapy, including one on one counseling sessions and group peer support meetings. The therapy will help him identify his triggers and learn coping mechanisms for avoiding a relapse.
Another way that cocaine addiction recovery helps participants in the program is by teaching them to live a healthier lifestyle. Patients are taught about the importance of eating healthier diets and engaging in regular physical activity. They’re also taught meditation, yoga, and other relaxation techniques that help them manage stress. By reducing their stress levels, they’ll be less likely to experience those strong cravings that can tempt a relapse.
Even after the individual has graduated from the rehab program, they must continue their recovery. As they return home, they’re urged to continue participating in group support meetings and to engage in regular counseling sessions with a therapist. Ongoing treatment helps to reinforce the concepts and practices they learned in rehab, while also stressing the importance of staying clean.
If you, or a loved one, is struggling with cocaine addiction, getting help has never been simpler. Treatment centers offer the resources needed to get clean and learn how to live a healthier life. Once cocaine use id no longer a part of everyday living, it will be easier to see oneself living a brighter future.
