Addiction can look different for everyone. It is important to reach out for help and voice your concerns if you feel that a loved one is addicted to cocaine.
Substances like cocaine are highly addictive for young adults because their brains are more vulnerable to developing substance use disorders and addiction.
The brain is still going through major development through the mid-twenties. When substances are abused repeatedly over time, they can cause serious alterations and damage to the brain.
Drug use alters the natural chemicals and functions in the brain, causing young people to continue seeking drugs to reproduce its effects.
Common signs and symptoms of young adult cocaine addiction can include:
Sandstone Care provides age specific care for those who struggle with substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders. We have treatment centers throughout the United States.
Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug made from the South American native plant coca.
Cocaine is a schedule II drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse but may be given by a doctor for medical reasons such as local anesthesia for certain surgeries.
Individuals who use cocaine often take the drug repeatedly over a short time, also referred to as binges.
Cocaine use among adolescents and young adults is a significant public health issue because of its high risk for addiction and the negative long and short-term medical and psychological effects.
Cocaine is commonly administered orally, snorted, injected, or smoked.
Cocaine can enter the body by being rubbed into the gums, injected into the veins, or snorted through the nose.
Injecting cocaine through a needle also puts individuals at a higher risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne diseases.
Crack cocaine can be heated in a glass pipe that produces vapors which are then absorbed into the blood through the lungs.
Some people also smoke crack by combining it with marijuana or tobacco and smoking it like a cigarette.
Cocaine is especially dangerous when mixed with other substances because it poses a higher risk of accidental overdose.
Common short-term side effects of young adult cocaine use can include:
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Long-term side effects of cocaine use can also include:
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According to World Psychiatry, cocaine use can negatively affect one’s mental health.
Studies show that cocaine use can be associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, paranoia, and psychoticism.
Substance use and mental health disorders commonly co-occur, especially for teens and young adults whose brains are still developing.
Young adult cocaine use is extremely dangerous and can result in negative health outcomes, addiction, and sometimes fatality.
A person can overdose on cocaine, intentionally or unintentionally.
An overdose happens when someone uses enough of a drug to result in serious negative effects, life-threatening symptoms, or death.
Severe health consequences associated with cocaine overdose can include irregular heart rhythm, heart attacks, seizures, and strokes.
Cocaine may also cause long-term changes in the brain and lead to addiction.
The brain adapts to the high levels of dopamine caused by cocaine use and becomes desensitized over time.
Because of this, people need to take stronger doses to feel “normal” instead of the euphoric “high” they originally felt.
A young adult addicted to cocaine may show significant changes in their physical appearance and behavior.
Someone who snorts cocaine may have white powder on their nose or constantly have a runny nose.
When someone develops a drug addiction, they can have trouble functioning daily. Young adults may start to have problems at work, school, or in relationships.
If you notice your loved one is showing signs of cocaine addiction, it is important to seek professional help right away.
There are some questions you can consider if you think you or your loved one may need to seek cocaine addiction treatment:
Some major risk factors of cocaine addiction can include:
The Continuum of Care
Access a full range of treatments for mental health and substance use disorders. Whether you need a safe transitional living community, inpatient care, or outpatient therapy, we have a program to help.
Our commitment to our clients’ lasting success and recovery helps us continually exceed licensing standards of care throughout the industry.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a cocaine addiction, you must reach out for professional help immediately.
Addiction can get worse over time if gone untreated.
A variety of different cocaine addiction treatment programs are available. Sandstone Care is here to support teens and young adults with mental health and substance use disorders.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a variety of behavioral treatments have shown to be effective in treating cocaine addiction.
Behavioral treatments can help young adults address mental health and substance use problems by identifying negative thought and behavior patterns and building healthy coping mechanisms and habits.
Contingency Management (CM) has proven to be effective in helping individuals with cocaine addiction.
CM programs use tangible rewards and incentives to promote abstinence from cocaine and other drugs.
For example, an individual may be rewarded with a voucher or token that they can redeem for things like movie tickets or dinner when they pass a drug-free urine test.
CM can be helpful for young adults with a cocaine addiction because it can help them engage and stay in treatment and encourage healthy living.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help young adults identify negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and restructure them by learning new skills and concepts.
CBT can help young adults understand and recognize the situations that may be associated with cocaine use so they can learn how to avoid or cope with these situations.
Young Adult Specific Approach
Young adult treatment helps you make change.
Change isn’t static. Change happens when you – and only you – decide. As a young adult addiction treatment center, our job isn’t to make you change. It’s to empower you as you seek something different.
Our programs include various experiential programs such as yoga, art therapy, physical activities, and outdoor adventures to help young adults become their happiest, healthiest selves.
Dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT, is a form of CBT.
DBT focuses on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT can help young adults manage difficult emotions by balancing acceptance and change.
DBT can be helpful in addiction recovery because it can help individuals unlearn thought and behavior patterns through healthy exercises and coping skills.
A community-based recovery group, like cocaine anonymous, can help maintain abstinence by using a 12-step program.
Community-based recovery groups can also contribute to building a strong support network and a sense of fellowship by sharing related experiences and struggles.
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FAQ
Our goal is to provide the most helpful information. Please reach out to us if you have any additional questions. We are here to help in any way we can.
Powder cocaine is a white powder commonly mixed with other substances such as cornstarch, talcum powder, or sugar.
Powder cocaine is sometimes mixed with other drugs like amphetamines or synthetic opioids.
Crack is a form of cocaine made into a rock crystal that people smoke.
The word “crack” comes from the sound of the rocks cracking when they are heated.
Common street names for cocaine can include:
Another term commonly used to refer to cocaine is “speedball,” which is cocaine combined with heroin.
“Cocaine nose” is a side effect that can come from snorting cocaine.
When cocaine is snorted, it can cause a variety of nasal issues.
Cocaine can damage the nasal tissues by shrinking blood vessels inside them. This can cause the tissue to die and lead to the flesh of the nose rotting or falling off.
Some people can also end up with a perforation or hole in their nose, specifically in the septum.
There are a variety of different effective approaches and strategies for providing treatment for substance abuse problems.
Early intervention can help reduce the harm of substances, reduce risk behaviors, and improve health and social function.
The most common and effective interventions for substance abuse have been shown to include a form of behavioral therapy.
Examples of behavioral therapies can include Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder (SUD) is the highest for those who begin to use substances in their early teens.
Teenagers are more vulnerable to developing SUDs because their brains are still undergoing major changes.
The part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex is still developing. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for important functions such as assessing situations, decision-making, and impulse and emotion control.
Treatment plans commonly involve the specific goals of the individual’s therapy and the interventions they may use to help reach those goals.
Substance abuse treatment plans are documented by professionals and often start with an evaluation or assessment to identify problems that the individual may be experiencing.
According to Adolescent Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, the most common drugs used by 18 to 25-year-olds include:
We understand taking the first step is difficult. There is no shame or guilt in asking for help or more information. We are here to support you in any way we can.
