Cocaine is a powerful and addictive stimulant drug. There are two main forms of cocaine; cocaine hydrochloride (powder cocaine) and crack (rock) cocaine. Powder cocaine is water soluble and is usually chopped up into a fine powder and snorted by the user. However, cocaine may also be injected or smoked as well. Crack cocaine is found in solid rock form and is smoked by the user.

Use of both forms of cocaine is on the rise, especially for younger people ages 18-25. In fact, cocaine is the second most used drug in the U.S. (behind marijuana). Use of this drug produces a quick and intense euphoria that lasts anywhere from about 5 to 30 minutes. During this time, the user will usually experience pleasurable effects including increased energy, reduced fatigue, and mental clarity.

Short-term side effects of cocaine include constricted peripheral blood vessels, dilated pupils, increased temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, insomnia, loss of appetite, feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety. Intensity of effects are often dependent on dosage and method of use. Long term use or high doses of cocaine can produce paranoia, irregular heartbeat, mental illness and death.

A person using cocaine will often continue to ingest the drug every 5-30 minutes to avoid the painful crash that is experienced while coming off the drug. During the crash the user will usually experience depression, irritability, and fatigue.

Because cocaine is such a powerful drug, it is estimated that 3 out of 4 people who try it will need some kind of help getting off of it. Cravings associated with cocaine use can be so intense that often times an addict must be kept in a drug rehab environment for a period of time to keep from using. There are often changes in brain chemistry associated with long term use that can take up to 2 years to heal.

Cocaine users are often very obsessive with their drug use. This can cause them to put drug seeking above all responsibilities. There is often a trail of broken relationships/marriages, legal trouble, financial loss and problems in the workplace behind the cocaine user.

There are biological, psychological, social and spiritual components to cocaine addiction that must be addressed in order for a person to achieve sobriety. Eternal Awakenings offers a Christ centered, biblically based, comprehensive solution to cocaine addiction. Our addiction doctors are specially trained to work with cocaine addicts to address any co-occurring mental health problems that may be present. Our licensed chemical dependency counselors have worked in the recovery field for over 20 years and have extensive experience with cocaine and crack addiction.

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