Since we are a cocaine drug rehab, we at Gulf
Coast Recovery often get questions about the different types of
cocaine and the cocaine withdrawal and detox process associated
with recovery. We are happy to offer brief answers below and hope
that you will give us a call for a personal and confidential consultation
about your situation. We have helped many different people through
the process of recovering from cocaine abuse and addiction and
want you to know that there is help for you too.
Are There Different Types of
Cocaine?
Yes, cocaine does come in different types and
forms although all are ultimately derived from the coca leaf.
The most commonly seen version is the powdered form of cocaine
that is either snorted as a powder or dissolved into water and
injected. Snorting cocaine powder delivers the drug into the bloodstream
through the nasal passages in contrast to injecting or “shooting”
the mixture directly into the bloodstream. Powdered cocaine is
known by many street names- blow, bump, coke, candy, snow, flake
and toot among others.
Other types of cocaine include crack or rock.
This is a crystallized form of cocaine that is smoked and is delivered
into the bloodstream through the lungs. Crack cocaine is smoked
through a pipe, often a small glass tube with a metal screen,
and delivers a powerful short-lived high similar to that of injection.
The bottom line is that despite the different
types of cocaine, it is used because it is a powerful stimulant
that creates a feeling of euphoria for the user. The drug is highly
addictive to both the mind and body and cocaine users easily become
abusers who continue to use the drug despite increasing problems.
What
is Cocaine Withdrawal?
Although the euphoric effects
of cocaine on the brain of the user dissipate within minutes
or hours of use, the “come down” or cocaine withdrawal can be
felt for much longer. The body compensates for the heightened
euphoria by blocking pleasure centers. This naturally leads to
feelings of depression and stress due to feeling overwhelmed by
the demands of life and cocaine withdrawal can feel more painful
and depressing than normal.
Users often feel that they have only two choices
either continue to use cocaine or experience an emotional and/or
physical breakdown. Due to the painful physical and mental consequences
of cocaine withdrawal, relapsing back into abusing cocaine is
very common because the user feels that using cocaine to avoid
withdrawal will work.
Is Cocaine Withdrawal Different
than Cocaine Detox?
Yes! Now that you know what cocaine
withdrawal is we can address the process of cocaine detox.
A first step to recovery and often a part of a cocaine drug rehab
program, cocaine detox is the supervised cleansing of cocaine’s
physical effects on the body. The cocaine detox process can be
assisted with vitamins and other supplements to assist in the
purification process.
Beyond physical cocaine
detox, users often need to face some deep truths about their
cocaine abuse and understand that they need assistance breaking
the cycle of addiction. That is where cocaine drug rehab can really
help users see the benefits of a cocaine-free lifestyle.
What
happens at Cocaine Drug Rehab?
Drug rehab is a safe environment where patients
can follow a treatment plan to help break through the denial and
ambivalence that contribute so much to cocaine abuse. Breaking
through the denial about having a problem or the severity of the
problem is a critical function of cocaine drug rehab. Just as
there are different types of cocaine there are different types
of treatment but the most effective treatments include regularly
scheduled counseling sessions, abstention from all drugs and alcohol
and an introduction to a 12-step program like Alcoholics
Anonymous or Cocaine
Anonymous.
Creating a structured daily routine is another
critical function of cocaine drug rehab and showing the client
that he or she has many options other than cocaine abuse. Attending
a cocaine drug rehab can be
life saving because cocaine addiction and withdrawal lead to irrational
decisions often directed at using more cocaine and abusers often
feel alone with their problems. Staying with a supportive staff
and fellow clients in a cocaine drug rehab like Gulf Coast Recovery
is often the strong foundation of recovery of cocaine addiction.