Cocaine Addiction
What is Cocaine?
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant, primarily found in the Andean region of South America. In the countries now known as Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, coca, or Erythroxylon coca, has been used as a medicine and stimulant for over 4000 years.
Originally used in Western medicine as an anaesthetic and numbing agent, the 1970s saw cocaine surge in popularity as a highly abused (and expensive), illegal party drug, favoured by celebrities and high-rollers, and used principally for the extreme form of euphoria that it induces.
Cocaine is an intoxicating, central nervous system stimulant, that produces intense feelings of euphoria, increased energy, and heightened alertness. Cocaine typically appears as a fine, white powder, which is most commonly snorted, although it can also be injected or smoked in a form known as crack cocaine.
Is cocaine addictive?
Cocaine is highly addictive. The drug’s ability to rapidly increase dopamine levels in the brain’s reward pathway makes it particularly prone to abuse and addiction. Over time, repeated cocaine use can alter the brain’s chemistry, leading to tolerance (needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect), dependence, and eventually addiction.
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Why do people use cocaine?
People use cocaine for a variety of reasons, including:
Euphoria and pleasure: Cocaine triggers a surge of dopamine in the brain, leading to intense feelings of euphoria, pleasure, and well-being. This high is often short-lived but very powerful.
Increased energy and confidence: Cocaine enhances alertness, energy, and confidence, making users feel more capable and outgoing. This is particularly appealing in social or performance settings.
Curiosity or peer pressure: Many individuals try cocaine out of curiosity or due to peer pressure, especially in environments where drug use is normalised.
Self-medication: Some people use cocaine to cope with underlying mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, seeking relief from negative emotions or low energy.
Signs and symptoms of cocaine abuse and addiction
Cocaine abuse and addiction can manifest in various physical, behavioural, and psychological symptoms:
Physical symptoms:
Behavioural symptoms:
Psychological symptoms:
Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant that can lead to significant physical, psychological, and social harm. If you or someone you know is struggling with cocaine addiction, reach out to a one of our team of professionals for help.
What are cocaine withdrawal symptoms?
Withdrawal symptoms occur when a person who is dependent on a substance, such as cocaine, stops using it or significantly reduces their intake. These symptoms arise because the body has become accustomed to the presence of the drug, and when it is suddenly removed, the body struggles to function normally.
The duration and intensity of cocaine withdrawal symptoms can vary based on factors such as the length of time the person used cocaine, the amount they typically used, their overall health, and whether they used other substances as well. Withdrawal from cocaine can be particularly challenging due to its intense effects on the brain’s reward system.
Common cocaine withdrawal symptoms include fatigue and exhaustion, intense cravings, irritability and agitation, depression, anxiety, vivid or unpleasant dreams, difficulty concentrating and physical discomfort.
Due to the significant mood swings and depression that can occur during cocaine withdrawal, for some individuals there is a risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviours. This makes medical supervision important during the withdrawal process.
Treatment for cocaine addiction at the rehab centre
Treating cocaine addiction often requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of the disorder.
Ibiza Calm is a specialised clinic that provides cocaine addiction and rehab treatment for individuals who are struggling with cocaine addiction and dependencies. The goal of the treatment is to help individuals understand the underlying causes of their problem and develop the tools and strategies needed to maintain abstinence in the long term.
The rehab centre offers a comprehensive approach to recovery from cocaine addiction, including medical detox, therapy, and support groups. The Ibiza Calm team comprises experienced healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, who work together to provide the highest level of care and support to each patient.
Key components of cocaine addiction treatment at Ibiza Calm
Residential treatment includes:
Detoxification: Also known as detox – the first step in treatment is often a medically supervised detoxification, where the body is allowed to rid itself of the drug. This process can be uncomfortable and requires medical supervision to manage withdrawal symptoms safely.This is overseen by our medical director and team of highly qualified, licenced, medical professionals.
Medication management: Certain medications can help manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, or treat co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety. Our residential treatment centre gives you access to the best health care, including psychiatrists who can prescribe and monitor medications to ensure they are effective and well-tolerated.
Individual therapy: Regular one-to-one sessions with one of our specialist therapists helps clients to address underlying psychological issues, develop coping strategies, and set recovery goals.
Group therapy: Facilitated group sessions provide peer support, enhance communication skills, and help individuals connect with others who are facing similar challenges.
Education: Workshops on a range of topics including addiction, relapse prevention, boundary setting, powerlessness, anger, family dynamics, acceptance, and healthy lifestyle choices empower our clients with knowledge to take forward into their new lives.
Family therapy: Involving family members can help to rebuild relationships, improve family dynamics, and educate them about addiction and recovery. All our treatment programmes include a family support group. Any family members can attend, weekly online, from the moment their loved one enters the treatment clinic.
Aftercare planning: Long-term recovery from cocaine addiction involves ongoing support, such as continued therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes to prevent relapse. Successful residential treatment will include preparing for life upon leaving the clinic.
This involves developing coping strategies and relapse prevention plans, as well as access to support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) who provide peer support as a community of individuals going through similar experiences.
All clients are introduced to the Ibiza Calm aftercare therapy group before leaving treatment, ensuring they are confident of ongoing, continued support.
Crack Cocaine
Crack cocaine, often referred to as “crack,” is a highly potent and addictive form of cocaine. It is created by processing powdered cocaine (cocaine hydrochloride) with water and baking soda (or other substances) to produce a smokable, solid, crystal-like form. The name “crack” comes from the cracking sound it makes when heated.
Crack cocaine produces an immediate and intense high due to its rapid absorption into the bloodstream when smoked. The high is more powerful but shorter-lasting (usually 5 to 10 minutes) compared to powdered cocaine, which can last 30 minutes or more when snorted.
Crack cocaine is generally cheaper and more widely available than powdered cocaine, making it accessible to a broader range of people. This has contributed to its high potential for abuse.
Pink Cocaine
“Pink cocaine” is a misleading term used to describe 2C-B (2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine), a drug often called “tucibi” or “pink cocaine”, named for its colour. It is not actually cocaine, or in any way related to cocaine, despite the misleading name. 2C-B is a synthetic psychedelic drug, with stimulant properties, that belongs to the phenethylamine family.
It produces effects similar to a combination of ecstasy (MDMA) and LSD. It is highly dangerous due to its unpredictable effects, overdose potential, and mental health impact – prolonged use can lead to paranoia, psychosis, or severe mood swings, especially in individuals with underlying mental health issues.
In addition, pink cocaine sold on the street is often mixed with other substances, including ketamine and fentanyl, making it difficult to know exactly what a person is consuming. In some cases, it may not even contain 2C-B but rather dangerous adulterants.
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For free information and advice on issues related to mental health and addiction check out the following websites:
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A worldwide 12-step fellowship for individuals who have a problem with alcohol. Anyone with a desire to stop drinking is welcome. https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Is a global non-profit fellowship, a community of people who support each other to achieve and maintain a drug free life. https://ukna.org
Al-Anon. A mutual peer-support programme for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. https://al-anonuk.org.uk
Mind. A registered charity in England, which offers information, advice, local services and support, for those individuals and family members struggling with a mental health condition. https://www.mind.org.uk
Mental Health Foundation. A UK charity that provides individuals with advice and resources related to mental health. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
BEAT. The UKs eating disorder charity that provides information and support for those affected by an eating disorder. https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk