Free Your Body And Mind From Addiction With Cocaine Detox

by Bridget on January 31, 2012

When a person is addicted to the use of cocaine, it has a destructive effect on their body, mind, and emotional health. Rapid deterioration of quality of life will result if this problem is not brought to a stop. Addiction can result in many losses to an individual; losses of a healthy body and mind, money, and interpersonal relationships.  If left alone the loss of life is often the final result. This habit must be dealt with aggressively in order to end it. This starts by eradicating the substance from the addict’s body in a strict regime of cocaine detox. Therapy is the next step after this is in most rehab facilities.

Rehab

Beginning a rehab program is crucial to breaking free from a drug habit. Treatment starts when the patient is separated from any form of the drug, and all harmful residual substances that may remain the system are flushed out in the process referred to as detoxification. It is not a comfortable experience going through this stage of treatment, as most patients will suffer from the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that result.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal is certainly never a fun experience, but with cocaine this is especially so. Cocaine is a very strong, addictive, and even deadly substance, which produces more extreme withdrawal effects than with milder drugs. When its use is discontinued, a “crash” is the result. The “crash” affects the body by causing any of these symptoms; painful cravings for the drug, muscle pains, fever, nausea and vomiting, exhaustion, tremors, itching and feeling like insects are crawling on the body. The mind is also affected with irritability, mood swings, paranoia and schizophrenic-like behavior.

Symptoms

Normally some of these symptoms will show up in the first days of withdrawal. Often they will persist for weeks or even months, and may intensify and be accompanied by new symptoms too. The longer a person has been addicted to the drug, the longer and more difficult this stage will be for them. Sometimes the mental craving for the drug will last long after the symptoms are gone, even several years.

Medications

Medications are often prescribed to help alleviate the psychological problems that can develop during detoxification. Usually these drugs are one of the following; antidepressants, beta-blockers, sedatives, or benzodiazepines. All of these are given to treat mood disorders and encourage relaxation of the central nervous system.

Holistic Approach

In some instances, a patient may opt for a holistic treatment plan instead of medications. This is also an effective way to achieve eventual stability during the detox process. Usually it consists of nutritional counseling, taking vitamins, exercise regimes, and using a sauna. It must be supplemented with therapy afterwards though, that appropriately focuses on the psychological part of the problem.

Therapy

After the body stops craving the drug, the mind may still experience urges to use it. Therapy is designed to address this aspect of the addiction. Once a patient no longer suffers from withdrawal symptoms, they usually begin to partake in either group or individual sessions. Programs mostly incorporate both motivational and cognitive behavior therapies.

The road to recovery from a drug habit is never smooth, but seeking help is where it starts. Cocaine detox and cocaine rehab are part of this process and they may not feel nice, but they are a necessary hurdle that must be overcome if one is to become independent from this drug. Perseverance pays off in the end when a determined patient sticks to the program.

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