A tailored rehab selection service for cocaine addicts in England and Wales
*This page was medically reviewed by Dr Robert Lefever on the 9th April, 2021
Cocaine addiction is a dangerous disease which you should seek treatment for as soon as possible. We might not always realise we have an addiction, so use this article to ascertain whether you need to seek help or not.
If you think you are suffering from an addiction like this, you need to act now. While you should call emergency services if you have overdosed, we can help you get off drugs in a safe, calm way, once the crisis is over.Here at Help4Addiction, we provide support on the phone. We have helped countless individuals get the rehab treatment they need for every type of drug addiction including cocaine. If you need to find a rehab facility now near you or just want to talk, we’re only a phone call away, call 0203 955 7700 to speak to one of our experts.
What’s Cocaine and were does it Come From?
Made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America, cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug. It has existed in some form in society for thousands of years, and while it has been used for medical purposes such as for anaesthesia, recreational use is illegal.
Typically, when bought on the street cocaine will be mixed with other substances such as talcum powder and it can even be cut with other drugs, making it more dangerous.
The drug is typically condensed down to a powder and snorted through the nose or rubbed onto the gums. It can also be dissolved and injected directly into the bloodstream. Using cocaine will often involve taking the drug frequently through a short period which will provide a constant or continuous high for the individual.
Cocaine Use Facts
It is the second most trafficked drug in the world today and the second most commonly used drug throughout all of Europe. 7.5 million people between 15 and 34 have used cocaine at least once in their life[i].
According to UK governmental Reports of 2021[ii], roughly 3.0% of the adult population in England and Wales have used powdered cocaine in the last year. This statistic is down from 3.5% the decade before. They also found that more young people use cocaine that older ones. Roughly 6.2% of all young adults between 16-24 years of age have used cocaine in the last year.
According to EU reports[iii] from 2019, that puts the UK as one of the worst countries for cocaine addiction figures in Europe.
Other Names for Cocaine
Cocaine has many street names. Some of the most common are:
· Coke
· Crack (crack cocaine is a type of designer cocaine, but the name is often misused)
· Blow
· Snow
· Powder
· Or Big C[iv]
Have you been offered cocaine?
You could be offered a line of coke at a party, or you might be asked if you “want a bump”. Again, these are only a few of the terms for cocaine. It is usually offered as a “line”, which is a white line of powder on a flat surface that is snorted with the use of a rolled up bank note[v].
After just one use, you could be at risk of:
- Seizures
- A Stroke
- A heart attack
Be wary that cocaine can be smoked or injected. It can be placed in your drink, too. If you think your drink has been spiked and your mouth is numb, it might have been cocaine. See a doctor immediately.
Do you have a Cocaine Addiction? How to Spot the Signs.
If you’re not sure whether yourself or a loved one is suffering from cocaine addiction, there are some signs you can look out for.
Signs of Cocaine Addiction Include:
· Changes to their mood or behaviour
· Constant craving
· Lying and stealing to feed their addiction
- Erratic body movements
- Increased energy
- Increased body temperature
- Changes in blood pressure
- Changes in breathing
- Nausea
- Bizarre behaviour – users often become increasingly unpredictable
- Hallucinations – feeling there are bugs underneath the skin is particularly common.
- Seizures – These can occur any time after taking the drug
- Issues with reproducing
- Constant disorientation
- Mood Swings
- High levels of irritability[vi]
After taking the drug for an extended period, there can be profound and serious impacts on the body. The blood vessels may be permanently damaged. There could also be liver, kidney and lung damage. Other physical symptoms will depend on how the drug has been taken:
- Sniffed – destroy tissues in the nose and cause nosebleeds
- Gums – tooth decay
- Smoked – trouble breathing and bad breath
Their appearance may change as well. You could notice:
- Track marks – black lines or circles on their arm
- Burned lips
- Nosebleeds
- Dilated pupils
Side Effects of Cocaine Use
There are both short term and long term side effects of cocaine addiction. Remember, the main effect of cocaine addiction is a short, intense high which addicts will try and elongate. That’s because it’s followed by a depression where they seek out and crave the drug.
Short Term Effects
Short term side effects will often include:
- Changes to eating patterns
- Issues sleeping
- Muscle spasms
- Paranoia
- Hostility
- Anxiety[vii]
There is no safe level of cocaine and even a small dose could cause someone to stop breathing, suffering from an overdose. It is possible to use cocaine once and not become addicted to the substance. There are countless people who have done this and suggested to others that the drug is not addictive. However, it’s important to be aware that this is often the exception and not the rule. Cocaine is an addictive drug and many users will find that they become dependent on the product.
Long Term Effects
Long term effects are due to the constant increase in the amount of cocaine used. As mentioned, a greater high will constantly be needed. When one comes down from the drug, it causes a serious level of depression that is enough to make an individual do anything to get more of it.
Other long term effects include:
- Insomnia
- Psychosis
- Extreme hallucinations
- Severe carvings
- Suicidal thoughts
- Malnourishment[viii]
Using our free consultation for addiction service
We can give you a free, impartial cocaine addiction check-up if you use our online consultation service. Simply click on the button above to get started.
What are the Types of Cocaine Addiction Treatment?
If you’re interested in arranging cocaine addiction treatment, you will be pleased to hear that there are a multitude of recovery centres across the UK. You’ll be able to find the one that suits your needs.
Some of the ways they will treat your cocaine addiction include medications, therapies, counselling sessions and ongoing support. We have spoken about these in greater detail below.
· Medically Assisted Treatment
There are various cocaine addiction treatment methods that might be suitable to your needs and concerns. For instance, you might want to consider pharmaceutical treatment. It is worth noting that there is currently no medication approved drug that will treat cocaine addiction. Research is constantly investigating possibilities here but thus far there have been no significant breakthroughs that have moved to the market.
· Behavioural Treatment
Treatment will typically be behavioural. Rehab facilities will provide you with the support you need to make sure that you feel as though you no longer need the drug. One example of this is contingency management. In this case, users are rewarded for displaying positive behaviour. So, for not using for a set period, patients are provided with rewards and tokens based on living healthily. This could be a gym membership or dinner at a local restaurant. Studies have shown that this can be an effective form of treatment.
What to Expect when Recovering from Cocaine Addiction
Recovering from cocaine addiction can be broken down into three stages.
The Detox Process
The detox process for cocaine addiction allows you to free your body from toxins. This stage starts within a day of your last drug use and will continue to worsen in symptoms for approximately 48 hours. Once you are through the worst of the symptoms, you will be classed as in rehab for cocaine addiction.
The Rehab Process
Rehab will use a mix of therapies to understand and battle their addiction. Therapy will typically involve users working as a group rather than focusing on the individual. Individuals who enter rehab facilities will often be connected to others in a group. This allows them to form a support system where everyone can lean on each other.
Secondary Treatment for Cocaine Addictions
Once your treatment plan is over, you will be able to return to your life. In most cases though, treatment will not end here. Instead, it will continue long after you leave the rehab facility. You will have been given ongoing advice and support on how to cope with challenges you’re going to face and potentially even be given job opportunities or whatever else you need.
The Withdrawal Symptoms from Cocaine Addiction
When you do finally get off cocaine, you will have to battle some of the withdrawal symptoms. If you are inside a medically assisted detox centre then you have the best chance of recovery.
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms include the following:
- You may feel restless
- Depression and anxiety can kick in from the lack of drug
- Suicidal thoughts can also enter your mind, but you need to stay strong and know it will fade
- Difficulty concentrating and slowed thinking
- Exhaustion
- Chills, Tremors, Nerve Pain, Muscle Aches
- Feeling of Emptiness
- Cravings for Cocaine
- Increased Appetite
how long should I expect to spend in rehab for cocaine?
The Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline changes from patient to patient. We would suggest that you book yourself into rehab for a minimum of a 28 day period, should you be able to. Cocaine withdrawal will start a few hours after your last use. Within 40 hours, withdrawal symptoms will begin. They will last for roughly two months, on and off. They might continue for months afterwards, off and on.
how much will rehab cost?
The average cost of cocaine rehab can be anywhere between £2000 and £6000 for the total treatment. Cocaine rehab cost can vary dramatically. There are deluxe cocaine rehab programs, low-cost programs and budget-friendly choices. We aim to find you the rehab facility that provides for your needs and matches your individual financial situation.
Can I be treated for a Cocaine Addiction as an outpatient?
We do not recommend you go through detox for cocaine addiction at home. It should be medically assisted in a specialised detox clinic. During rehab, you may be treated as an outpatient. Again, we would advice inpatient, residential rehab for cocaine addiction, not outpatient treatment.
Outpatient treatment for cocaine addiction is only suggested for the aftercare portion of your rehab/recovery journey. Ongoing support by phone, through group, or in therapy, is used as secondary treatment so you make your way back to normal life.
Therapies Used to Treat Cocaine Addictions?
Therapies used to treat cocaine addiction vary from place to place. Your rehab clinic will definitely include group therapy. This allows you to talk to others in your situation and share lived experience. One-on-one sessions with a clinical psychologist or counsellor are likely, as are a range of holistic therapies, like art therapy and sports therapy.
Choosing a rehab clinic with therapies you will enjoy is a good way to choose the right rehab clinic for you. Don’t forget to mention your hobbies and interests when you call us for help finding a rehab clinic.
Can I get Treatment for a Cocaine Addiction for Free in the UK?
The NHS will admit you to a rehab clinic if you have tried and failed every other means of quitting cocaine use. They take only the most severe cases and have lengthy waiting lists. We believe it is better to decide for yourself when you want to quit, rather than arranging it around NHS waiting lists. However, it is possible if you have the patience.
Need Help Finding Cocaine Addiction Treatment Centres Near You?
We operate throughout England and Wales. Contact us today on 0203 955 7700 and we will be happy to assist you with all your needs, ensuring you get expert advice and find the rehab facility you require.
[i] https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/cocaine/international-statistics.html
[iii] EU reports
[iv] https://www.verywellmind.com/common-street-names-for-cocaine-66696
[v] https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Cocaine-2020_1.pdf
[vi] https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/cocaine-use-and-its-effects
