Cocaine and Crack Cocaine Addiction Intervention and Treatment in California

Cocaine and crack cocaine addiction intervention and treatment options in California help families with loved ones addicted to cocaine. Drug rehabilitation is critical for cocaine or crack cocaine addiction because of how addictive the substance becomes. When searching for drug rehab programs in California, the first step usually involves an addiction assessment with a qualified healthcare professional. The purpose of an addiction assessment is to determine what drug rehab options are available based on addiction severity. Another option for a family to consider is contacting their private or state health insurance provider. Health insurance plans cover some portion of drug rehab, and the extent of coverage depends on the health insurance plan. Overall, the rehabilitation process for cocaine addiction involves drug detox, residential or outpatient drug rehab, and aftercare support. It is critical to match treatment settings and interventions to the needs of the addict.

What is Cocaine and Crack Cocaine, and How is it Used?

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant made from coca plants that are native to regions of South America. Recreational cocaine use is a common problem in California, and drug rehab centers in California routinely treat people addicted to cocaine. Cocaine looks like a fine white crystal powder, and the powder version of the drug is often mixed with cornstarch, talcum powder, or flour to increase profits. Powder cocaine is also mixed with other drugs like amphetamine or synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Crack cocaine is the freebase version of powder cocaine that is made from cooking down powder cocaine creating a rock-like substance that is smoked. The powder form of cocaine is snorted through the nose, or an addict rubs it into their gums.

Additionally, other drug users will dissolve the powder and inject it into the bloodstream. Crack cocaine is smoked when the product is heated to produce vapors that are inhaled into the lungs. The cocaine manufacturing process takes place in remote jungle labs. Columbia produces about 90% of the cocaine powder that enters the United States. Most of the cocaine that enters the United States comes through Mexico. Cocaine addicts often binge on the drug until they are exhausted or run out of cocaine to use.

What are Common Street Names for Cocaine and Crack Cocaine

Some of the common street names for cocaine include Blow, Coca, Crack, Flake, Snow, or Soda Cot. Within the United States, cocaine is a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which means it has a high potential for abuse and has an accepted medical use for treatment. For example, cocaine hydrochloride is used as a topical local anesthetic for the upper respiratory tract. Cocaine addiction in California impacts teens, young adults, and older adults, yet drug rehab programs in California are equipped to manage all severity of cocaine or crack cocaine addiction.

What Causes Cocaine and Crack Cocaine?

Cocaine and crack cocaine increase the level of the natural chemical message dopamine in brain circuits. Typically, dopamine recycles back into the cell that released it and shuts off the signal between nerve cells. Cocaine prevents dopamine from being recycled, causing large amounts to build up in the space between two nerve cells, and this stops normal communication. The flood of dopamine in the brain reinforces drug-seeking behavior, and the reward circuit eventually adapts to the excess dopamine caused by cocaine. Someone who abuses cocaine must continue to use more or eventually switches to using crack cocaine. Crack cocaine produces a quicker high, but it is short-lived, forcing the drug addict to use it more frequently. Addiction to cocaine and crack cocaine involves physical and psychological dependence and leads to dangerous drug-seeking behavior.

There are many reasons why someone becomes addicted to cocaine. Drug abuse with cocaine or crack cocaine causes significant short-term and long-term effects. The short-term effects of crack cocaine or cocaine use involve extreme happiness and energy, mental alertness, hypersensitivity to light, sound, touch, irritability, and paranoia. The effects of cocaine or crack cocaine appear almost immediately and disappear within a few minutes to an hour. The long-term effects cause loss of smell, nosebleeds, cough, asthma, respiratory distress, pneumonia, bowel decay, and a higher risk of contracting HIV or Hepatitis.

Cocaine and Crack Cocaine Addiction Treatment and Detox in California

Cocaine and crack cocaine addiction treatment, and drug detox options in California offer different resources for all severity of cocaine addiction. The first step with treatment involves drug detox to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Typical withdrawal symptoms include depression, fatigue, increased appetite, unpleasant dreams, and insomnia, and slowed thinking. Drug detox is critical because many addicts are polydrug users abusing more than one substance. Drug detox should not be considered the only approach used to treat cocaine addiction. The next phase of drug rehab involves attending a residential or outpatient drug treatment center.

Common approaches for treating cocaine or crack cocaine addiction involve cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, family-based therapies, therapeutic communities, and 12-step facilitation. Many of the drug rehab centers in California incorporate holistic techniques and faith-based drug rehab. In addition, it is critical to follow through with aftercare support like peer support groups, 12-step meetings, and sober living. Recovering from a cocaine or crack cocaine addiction takes time, but with the right support, recovery is possible.

Family Intervention for Cocaine and Crack Cocaine Addiction in California

Someone addicted to crack cocaine or powder cocaine is not always willing to accept drug rehab. Most families must plan and organize a family intervention with the help of a professional interventionist. Family intervention helps motivate the drug-addicted family member to seek help and accept the drug rehab offered to them. Overall, intervention for cocaine addiction is a carefully planned process involving family members, friends, and the interventionist. Cocaine addiction and other forms of drug addiction impact people from all walks of life and demographics in California. According to the California Health Care Almanac, substance use disorders are common; about 8% of California residents met the criteria for drug addiction. In addition, drug addiction is most common among young adults aged 18 to 25, occurring at nearly twice the state average rate.

Sources-

NIDA. “Cocaine DrugFacts.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 13 Jul. 2018, https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/cocaine

California Health Care Almanac. Substance Use in California. October 2018. https://www.chcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SubstanceUseDisorderAlmanac2018.pdf