Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant that floods the brain with dopamine. In women, it specifically interacts with the hormone estradiol, which activates specific cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoid receptors affect various physiological processes, including appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory. When these receptors are activated, it results in heightened behavioral responses to cocaine compared to men. The powerful euphoric blast that results can overwhelm and rewrite a person’s natural neural pathways.
As a result, many women cannot stop using cocaine without professional help. Hannah’s House offers cocaine addiction treatment as part of our substance use disorders program to help women of all ages overcome its devastating effects.
Substance Use Disorders
Cocaine on the Street
Pure cocaine is derived from coca plant leaves and looks like a fine, white powder. It’s costly, so many drug dealers stretch their supply by combining it with cornstarch, baby powder, and other dangerous and addictive stimulants like methamphetamines.
Cocaine can be inhaled through the nose, used orally or intravenously. Popular street names include:
- Coke
- Crack
- Blow
- Flake
- White
- Yeyo
- Snow
Cocaine’s Effects on the Brain
Cocaine increases the level of dopamine (the “feel-good” hormone) in your brain, which is a key neurotransmitter in the central nervous system’s motor control and reward areas. The dopamine surge causes the cocaine user to become less sensitive to the drug over time. Women develop tolerance and take larger, more potent, and more frequent doses to achieve the same high.
How We Help
Hannah’s House multidisciplinary experts include physicians, nurses, licensed therapists, and specialized 12-Step immersion staff to treat a woman’s body, mind, and spirit as she overcomes her cocaine addiction and begins her journey toward lasting recovery.
We offer several treatment modalities to ensure each woman at Hannah’s House receives personalized care that meets her unique needs and circumstances.
Cocaine Risk Factors
Women with a parent or other first-degree relative with addiction have a higher genetic risk for developing a substance use disorder.
Some women lack natural dopamine pathways and may seek drugs like cocaine to correct their inability to feel pleasure naturally. Those who struggle with co-occurring depression or bipolar disorder may use cocaine to alleviate their mental health symptoms.
Many women describe early experimentation with alcohol, prescription, and illegal drugs. Later in life, stressful situations like job loss, divorce, trauma, or death in their family may trigger cocaine use combined with other drugs.
Co-occurring disorders include:
- Benzodiazepine use
- Alcoholism
- Schizophrenia
- Methamphetamine use
- Opiate addictions
Signs of Cocaine Use
Our multidisciplinary team is skilled in identifying and treating cocaine addiction.
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Physical symptoms include:
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Psychological and behavioral symptoms include:
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Cocaine Withdrawal
Women who are addicted to cocaine may take it repeatedly for several days. After binging on cocaine, they experience withdrawal symptoms like extreme fatigue and negative emotions. This is quickly followed by an obsession to use again.
Many believe this strategy allows them to manage their drug use effectively. Unfortunately, this is a deadly cycle of addiction that’s impossible to break without medical intervention.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Long-term, chronic cocaine users may shorten their life expectancy by ten years or more. Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include:
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Types of Addictions We Treat
Medically assisted detox combined with residential treatment by trained professionals protects women as they overcome the mental and physical aspects of addiction.
Without adequate, clinically driven substance use disorder programming, many cocaine users fail to remain sober following detox. However, recovery and living a life of sobriety are possible by addressing a woman’s mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Treatment Modalities
Cocaine addiction is a neurobiological disease. Long-lasting recovery includes holistic rehab that simultaneously addresses psychological, mental, emotional, social, familial, environmental, personal, spiritual, and physical aspects. With help, women at Hannah’s House create an actionable plan to manage stressors, avoid relapse, and improve their quality of life. By building new and positive relationships, women gain self-confidence and self-esteem.
Our comprehensive patient evaluation and treatment modalities include:
- Continual nursing supervision
- Medication management
- Individual and group therapy
- Assessment and treatment of co-occurring disorders
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Skill-building with dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Nutritious, nourishing meals
- Recreational therapy
- Meditation and mindfulness training
- Biofeedback
- Spiritual Care
- 12-Step recovery groups
Contact Hannah’s House
Are you ready to lead a healthier, more confident life? Break the cycle of cocaine addiction for good. Start your journey to freedom and fulfillment by calling Hannah’s House at 561.841.1272.