Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that can lead to severe physical and psychological damage if used frequently or for extended periods.
If you use cocaine regularly, there comes the point in time when you decide you want to quit. But it’s a long and arduous journey because cocaine addiction, or any drug abuse, can be challenging to deal with.
If you’re serious about quitting and treating your cocaine addiction, there are ways. All you have to do is make the decision and stick to it; the rest will come with time and effort.
While there are several methods for quitting cocaine, the safest way to do it is in a controlled environment and with the help of trusted companions. This article will recommend the safest ways to quit your cocaine addiction today.
The Benefits of Quitting Cocaine
Before taking any steps to quit cocaine, first, you must understand why it is beneficial to stop using cocaine.
It starts with the most important factor: your health. Cocaine use can lead to several diseases, such as heart disease, liver damage, brain injury, and even death. Stopping using cocaine means you can avoid these health problems both in the immediate aftermath and in the long run.
Quitting cocaine can also improve finances as you stop spending money on drugs. The more you curtail unnecessary spending, the more wealth you accumulate for your future. You won’t have to worry about your retirement.
Once you stop using cocaine, it will also give you a better focus on your professional and personal goals. In addition, you will have more self-control over your life, hopefully making it more balanced and fulfilling.
The First Step
If you want to stop using cocaine, first and foremost, you’ll need to talk to your doctor. They will probably ask for details about how long you’ve been using and what type of cocaine you’ve consumed.
Once they have all the details, your doctor will decide whether or not you need treatment. Most likely, you will. You will then explore the treatment options and start treating your cocaine abuse.
Remember: you shouldn’t expect to kick the habit overnight completely. It takes time to build a healthy lifestyle routine. However, as long as you are determined, there’s nothing you can’t do.
The “Cold Turkey” Way
You can start quitting cocaine by doing it cold turkey. That means you stop taking cocaine entirely and immediately. If you do it this way, ensure you have plenty of water and avoid other substances (alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and sugar).
Beware of the cocaine withdrawal symptoms that might arise from going cold turkey. The symptoms may include difficulty concentrating, depression, anxiety, paranoia, hostility, slowed thinking, nightmares, suicidal thoughts, and increased craving for more cocaine.
If you don’t feel safe doing this alone, you can also contact a medical professional or a rehabilitation center to assist you.
Detoxification
A medically supervised detoxification program is another way you can stop using cocaine. This type of treatment allows you to withdraw from cocaine without putting yourself in danger.
Besides the safety it provides, a medical detox also better manages the withdrawal symptoms. For example, a medical professional would know how to treat cravings and safely help with mental health issues.
They will give you prescription medication or any other FDA-approved medications in the proper dosage, and they will look out for side effects.
As with any treatment for drug use, it may take a while for the results of a detox program to be effective. So, don’t rush the process; be patient as you go through with the program.
Mental Therapy
Sometimes it’s not enough to stop your body from using cocaine. Substance abuse patients may also need mental health treatment. The process starts by identifying the reasons that trigger the drug usage in the first place.
Talking to a therapist may help you do this and give you tools to deal with those triggers. A psychotherapist might use methods that don’t need to involve more chemicals going into your body, like hypnosis or cognitive behavioral therapy.
It’s a physically healthier way to stop using cocaine or other drugs, with the added benefit of dealing with your emotions.
Only after the triggers are identified can they be eliminated. The endgame is to stop using substances during times of high emotional vulnerability.
Contact a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist in your area if you’re unsure which mental therapy is best for you.
Intensive Treatment Facility
Don’t be afraid to check out addiction treatment facilities as an alternative to quit your cocaine abuse. These facilities typically offer a wide range of options for those struggling with drug addiction. They don’t stop at just being detoxification centers.
There are inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, partial hospitalizations, sober living homes, and halfway houses. Some are free, while others charge varying rates depending upon the type of program you choose.
To start with, you can call your local mental health department and ask about how to locate a facility near you.
Social Support Groups
Social support groups are an essential aspect of quitting substance abuse and recovery. They provide encouragement, advice, and understanding.
It’s common to feel isolated during treatment, so a little extra support will help with your cocaine addiction treatment program.
You can find online groups or live meet-up groups. An online group or community holds their activities virtually, so it’s perfect for those who are shy about meeting people face-to-face.
But nothing beats meeting people face to face and saying out loud, “I think I have a problem”
Going straight to meeting people at a treatment center is a good idea if you’re a people person.
Then, you can build a support system to help your addiction recovery by meeting with the treatment provider, sponsors, and fellow recovering patients. Groups like Cocaine Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are good to start.
Conclusion
If you’re addicted to cocaine, you may feel hopeless.
But you don’t have to live like this anymore.
There are many ways to overcome addiction, but the first step always starts with admitting that you have a problem. Once you acknowledge that you have a drug problem, you can begin taking steps toward recovery.
Enlight Treatment Center is here for you. Whether undergoing inpatient treatment or providing relapse prevention, you’ll never be alone in your way to becoming a new you, a better you.
- Reviewed by Lilit Asulyan, Psy. D
