Statistics about Cocaine Use

16,000

DEATHS

IN 2019 WERE REALTED TO COCAINE OVERDOSES.

1

MILLION

PEOPLE OVER AGE 12 IN THE U.S. HAVE A COCAINE USE DISORDER, ACCORDING TO NATIONAL SURVEY ON DRUG USE AND HEALTH.

5.5

MILLION

PEOPLE IN 2019 AGE 12 AND OVER IN THE U.S. REPORTED USING COCAINE IN THE PAST YEAR.

5

Fast Facts about Cocaine

1

Cocaine is highly addictive and is linked to many mental and physical health problems.

2

The high from a single dose of cocaine only lasts about 30 minutes to an hour, which is one of the reasons people engage in repeated use.

3

Cocaine is involved in nearly 1 in 5 overdose deaths.

4

Cocaine is often laced with fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid which increases the chance of an overdose.

5

Cocaine abuse increases risk of negative effects on almost all the body’s major functions.

Symptoms of Cocaine Abuse

Insomnia

Irritability

Erratic Behaviors

Depression

Confusion

Insomnia

Aggression

Short Term Effects of Cocaine Abuse

        • Nausea
        • Irritability and restlessness
        • Decreased appetite
        • Aggressive behavior
        • Tremors and muscle twitches
        • Fast heartbeat
        • Paranoia

Long Term Effects of Cocaine Abuse

        • Blood clots
        • Chest pain
        • High blood pressure
        • Irregular heartbeat
        • Seizures
        • Stroke
        • Tremors
        • Muscle weakness
        • Mood disorders
        • Memory loss
        • Paranoia
        • Psychosis
        • Restlessness
        • Auditory hallucinations

Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal

When a person is dependent on cocaine, they will experience withdrawal from it if they stop taking it. Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include:

DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING

SLOWED THINKING

DEPRESSION OF ANXIETY

INCREASED CRAVING FOR COCAINE

CHILLS, TREMORS, MUSCLE ACHES

Symptoms of Cocaine Overdose

Cocaine use can result in overdose when a person takes enough for it to reach toxic levels in their system. Symptoms of cocaine overdose include:

ELEVATED HEART RATE

RISE IN BODY TEMPERATURE

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

TREMORS

DELIRIUM

Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

If you or someone you know is addicted to cocaine, there is always hope and help available. Recovery from cocaine addiction is possible with the right treatment.

1
Detox

The first step of cocaine addiction treatment is usually detoxification or ridding the body of the drug. Detoxification should be overseen by a medical professional in an inpatient or outpatient facility. This is the first step of recovery which lasts about a week, and then should be followed by a longer-term treatment plan. There are a few different options for cocaine addiction treatment with varying degrees of intensiveness, including:

  • Inpatient (residential) treatment– a setting in which patients live on-site with 24/7 staff.
  • Partial hospitalization– an option that is still intensive while giving patients more independence than inpatient treatment.
  • Outpatient program– a type of treatment where patients attend appointments during the day and go home at night.
  • Sober housing– a sober living environment for individuals who have already completed an inpatient or outpatient program.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO FDA APPROVED DRUGS FOR THE TREATMENT OF COCAINE ADDICTION, AND THEREFORE THE MAIN METHODS OF COCAINE ADDICTION TREATMENT ARE BEHAVIORAL THERAPIES.

2
Behavioral Therapies
  • Contingency management– also called motivational incentives, this type of therapy rewards individuals for abstaining from drug use.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy– this treatment method is effective at preventing relapse by helping patients identify the situations in which they are most likely to use drugs, and  how to avoid these situations and obstacles.
  • Motivational interviewing– a technique focused on helping the patient create goals and strengthening their commitment to them.
  • Community-based recovery groups– the support of peers in a group therapy setting can help individuals recovering from addiction maintain their sobriety.