Cocaine Detox

The objective of detoxification is to assist the cocaine addict in ending the use of the drug as quickly and safely as possible, in a supervised environment. In some cases, it may be necessary to temporarily substitute another drug (such as methadone) which has fewer side effects.

Cocaine Addiction

The consequences of cocaine addiction cannot be overstated. Addicts become fixated on the intensity of the "high" and the escape from reality it provides. Their lives revolved around maintaining this feeling with more frequent use, at increasing doses.

Addiction expresses itself as a downward spiral, beginning with the pleasure of the drug's effects following its initial use. As the user becomes more and more reliant on cocaine to achieve that sense of pleasure, a psychological dependence takes hold. Life without cocaine becomes less and less satisfying. Work, family, friends, social engagements, and the routines of life that bring most people a sense of satisfaction become annoyances for the person suffering from cocaine addiction.

As the cocaine effects take hold in the mind, changes in brain chemistry interfere with the addict's ability to make voluntary decisions. Physical dependence kicks in, and the user's life falls apart. He or she will continue on that downward spiral of addiction to the point of death, unless the cycle is interrupted by recovery. Due to the extremely addictive nature of cocaine, "kicking the habit" on one's own is virtually impossible. Cocaine users need the assistance of a well-designed treatment program that provides professional support.