Cocaine Addiction in Canton, OH

Data released by the Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network shows that the level of cocaine addiction in Canton continues to be a serious public health concern. 14.3 percent of people admitted for treatment into a cocaine addiction rehab facility listed either crack cocaine or powdered cocaine as the primary drug of abuse.

Participants in the study indicate that crack cocaine can be sourced with relative ease across the Canton area. While obtaining powdered cocaine in the same region is often just as easy for users, many people admitted into a cocaine addiction rehab center report that dealers tend to ‘cut' the powder with other substances, such as talcum powder, cornstarch, flour, livestock de-wormer or local anesthetics.

The lower purity of powdered cocaine in Canton, along with the slightly higher price on the street has led to an increase in the use of crack cocaine in the area in recent years. The easy availability of the drug has led to a need for specific treatment for cocaine addiction in Canton and surrounding areas.

How is Cocaine Used?

Cocaine can be used in a number of ways. These include:

  • Orally: Some users may rub the powder on the gum line. In most cases, this is done with any tiny amounts of powder that remain after the bulk has been snorted.
  • Snorting: insufflation or snorting through the nostrils is perhaps the most commonly recognized way to take powdered cocaine. The user sniffs the powder deeply into the nasal passage, where it is absorbed into the system through the mucous membranes.
  • Smoking: Crack cocaine is most commonly smoked. The solid crystalline pieces of crack cocaine release vapor when heated that the user inhales.
  • Injection: Heavy users may inject the drug directly into the veins. Shooting up can create the highest blood levels of the drug in the shortest amount of time.

What is Cocaine Addiction?

Cocaine is a strong stimulant drug, most commonly used as a recreational substance. When a person continues to use cocaine over a period of time, it's possible to cause significant changes within the brain's chemistry.

When a user takes the substance, the brain is stimulated to release a surge of dopamine into the system. At the same time, the drug inhibits the signals between nerve cells, so the amount of dopamine circulating in the system is unable to be recycled effectively. The result is that normal brain activity is disrupted, causing the user to experience a ‘high'.

Dopamine is usually released by the brain as a reward response, so the user interprets the drug use as an artificially rewarding activity. Taking the substance for any length of time can cause the brain to stop producing dopamine naturally, unless it continues to receive further stimulus from taking more drugs.

Repeated cocaine abuse can short-circuit the brain's normal reward system. When intake of the drug is stopped suddenly, the brain is unable to adapt quickly, causing the user to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Common withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Intense cravings to take more cocaine
  • Exhaustion
  • Mood swings
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Paranoia
  • Delusions
  • Profound depression
  • Suicidal thoughts and tendencies

In an effort to avoid the profound psychological symptoms of withdrawal, many users will continue to take the drug. Over time, the user may develop tolerance and need to take higher doses to achieve the same effects that used to require much less. Taking stronger and more frequent doses can lead to a number of serious health problems, including dependency.

At this point, the person is considered addicted to cocaine and may require specialized treatment for cocaine addiction in Canton combined with behavioral therapy in order to recover.

Cocaine Treatment Options

It is possible to make a successful recovery from cocaine addiction. The key is to reach out and seek specialist help to begin the journey to recovery.

Detox is the first stage of treatment, where the effects of the drug's toxins are eliminated from the body. Our detox programs in Canton make the withdrawal process as comfortable as possible for the patient so that they don't have to suffer from the terrible effects.

It's common for many cocaine users to believe they can simply detox at home, but it's important to remember that detox alone does nothing to treat the underlying triggers behind the addiction.

It's also worth noting that trying to detox without proper medical supervision could increase the risk of relapse. Our relapse prevention programs in Canton are essential towards proving patients with the tools necessary to cope with the struggles associated with recovery.

Cocaine addiction recovery requires careful combination of behavioral therapies, individual counseling and group therapy sessions designed to address the dysfunctional attitudes and behaviors behind addictive substance use. Therapy also works to teach the recovering person strong coping skills for living a productive life without the need for drugs.

An integral part of any recovery plan is learning specific relapse prevention strategies. Rehab centers that specialize in treating cocaine addiction in Canton work closely with each person to understand their own unique relapse triggers and form customized strategies to help each person remain clean and sober over the long term.

There is currently no FDA-approved prescription medication for treating cocaine addiction. However, specialists within our cocaine addiction treatment center may prescribe some medications to help alleviate the worst of any withdrawal symptoms that may emerge.

If you or your loved one is suffering from addiction to cocaine or any other addictive substance, call Chattanooga Drug Rehab Centers today at (877) 804-1531.

 

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