Skip to Main Content
Care for young adults

Young Adult Cocaine Addiction Treatment, Detox, & Rehab

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.

We’re here to help 24/7

cocaine addiction
Cocaine Addiction Overview

How Addictive is Cocaine to Young Adults?

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.

See Locations

What are the common signs and symptoms of young adult cocaine addiction?

Common signs and symptoms of young adult cocaine addiction can include:

Checkmark
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Checkmark
Change in appetite, less eating, or malnutrition
Checkmark
Changes in sleep patterns
Checkmark
Chest pains
Checkmark
Vomiting
Checkmark
White powder or residue around the house (on IDs, mirrors, tables)
Checkmark
Frequent nose bleeds
Checkmark
Heart palpitations
Checkmark
Tremors or seizures
Checkmark
Panic attacks
Icon Location Pins

View our Locations

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.

Find a Treatment Center near Me

Cocaine use statistics

What is Cocaine?

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.

What Is The Most Common Way Cocaine Is Used?

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.

Ways to use cocaine infographic

What Are The Side Effects Of Young Adult Cocaine Use?

Common short-term side effects of young adult cocaine use can include:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Panic or paranoia
  • Anxiety
  • Vertigo
  • Tremors
  • Increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure
  • Muscle twitches

Long-term side effects of cocaine use can also include:

  • Psychosis
  • Significant weight loss or malnourishment
  • Loss of sense of smell
  • Nosebleeds
  • Irritation of nasal septum
  • Increased risk of stroke
  • Inflammation of heart muscle
  • Impaired cognitive function
Young adult looking concerned
Co Occuring Disorders

Does cocaine use affect mental health in young adults?

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.

Is young adult cocaine use dangerous?

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.

Teenage girl with depression
Background Image

We’re available 7 days a week to help answer any questions you may have.

7 signs you may need addiction treatment

How can you tell if a young adult is addicted to cocaine?

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.

How do you know when your loved one should seek cocaine addiction treatment?

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:

Icon Paper Airplane
1. Have they seemed to lose interest in things they once enjoyed?
Small Group Sizes
2. Do they seem to increasingly isolate themselves?
3. Have they been showing or experiencing extreme mood or behavior changes?
4. Have you noticed a change in their performance at work or school? Do they have problems with friendships and relationships?
Background Image

Take the Quiz

See if you or a loved one needs substance use or mental health support

Developed by Chief Clinical Officer Sarah Fletcher LPC

What are the major risk factors of cocaine addiction?

Some major risk factors of cocaine addiction can include:

Checkmark
Family history of cocaine addiction
Checkmark
History of mental illness
Checkmark
Cocaine use at an early age
A geometric graphic of a white mountain outline.

The Continuum of Care

Care for wherever you are in your journey.

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.

Learn more about levels of care

5-21 days of 24/7 on-site medical supervision.

Our Medically-Assisted Detox and Inpatient Center offers private rooms and 24/7 medically supervised care to support a safe recovery from drugs and alcohol, followed by comprehensive treatment that addresses your physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs.

A clinician examining a patient at Virginia Medical Detox Center
Detox Explained

2-6 Months

Our Transitional Living Program combines the structure of treatment and group living, with the freedom of living away from home.

This level of care is for young adults (18-30) who are not quite ready to heal from home. A safe and supportive living environment integrated with a PHP or IOP level of care so you learn life skills and healthy coping mechanisms in an environment that’s set up for your success.

Group outside in Sandstone Care
Transitional Living Overview

2-4 weeks of on-site day treatment.

Our Young Adult Day Treatment Program, also known as Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), is a highly structured level of care for young adults that offers five days of robust programming a week.

Our two distinct mental health and substance use tracks help young adults to stabilize, begin to understand their mental health and/or addiction struggles, and heal from them. We strive to help our clients become more like the person they want to be without using negative coping strategies or substances to get there.

Day Treatment Explained

8-12 weeks of on-site or virtual treatment.

Our Young Adult IOP, or Intensive Outpatient Program, offers two distinct tracks to address young adult needs, each track consisting of 3-4 days of weekly programming.

In our mood disorder track, we are able to focus on mental health, depression, trauma, and anxiety. In our dual diagnosis track, we are able to support young adults with substance use and mental health challenges. Each focuses on developing positive social, academic, and vocational habits while continuing with their job or school responsibilities.

Intensive Outpatient Program Explained

Can a young adult beat a cocaine addiction without treatment?

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.

Teenager experiencing peer pressure
Background Image

Cocaine is a highly addictive and dangerous drug for young adults.

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.

What Is The Best Treatment For Young Adult Cocaine Addiction?

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)

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.

Teens and adult sitting on mountain
Hand writing close up

CBT

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

Find your way to being you

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.

Learn more about our therapies

Icon Mental Health
Individual Therapy

Work one-on-one with an experienced young adult therapist to identify and address the underlying root causes of addiction.

Icon Chat Heart
Group Therapy

Build resilience, test out your newly learned tools, and develop a community of support during your addiction treatment process.

Icon Search Person
Evidence-Based Therapies

Learn more about the young adult evidence-based addiction therapies we use to create long-lasting change beyond the walls of our programming.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Explore how our team uses MAT responsibly to address young adult addiction and in conjunction with our evidence-based therapies.

The Family Component
Family Therapy

Engage your family in your recovery process. Addiction doesn’t happen in isolation, and treating the whole system is more effective.

Icon Dual Diagnosis
Dual-Diagnosis

Address substance use disorder and frequently co-occurring mental health needs like anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Icon Open Book
Academic and Vocational Support

Develop workplace skills and vocational assets to help you find stability in school, work, and young adult environments.

DBT

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.

4 main skills of DBT
Adult Living Space Lounge

Community-based recovery groups

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.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment Centers

View All Locations

A diverse group of young adults sitting in a circle and laughing.

Addiction Treatment Richmond VA

4880 Sadler Rd, Suite 110, Glen Allen, Virginia, 23060

(804) 534-2950
Age Groups: TeensYoung Adults
Levels of Care: Partial Hospitalization (PHP)Intensive Outpatient (IOP)Assessments
Treatment Programs: Substance UseDual-Diagnosis
Tinley-Park-Exterior-SUD

Tinley Park Drug Rehab

16325 S Harlem Ave # 200, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477

(708) 766-7735
Age Groups: TeensYoung Adults
Levels of Care: Partial Hospitalization (PHP)Intensive Outpatient (IOP)Assessments
Treatment Programs: Substance UseDual-Diagnosis
Naperville-SUD-Center-Featured

Naperville Drug Rehab

8140 S. Cass Avenue Suite A, Darien, Illinois, 60561

(331) 444-7907
Age Groups: TeensYoung Adults
Levels of Care: Partial Hospitalization (PHP)Intensive Outpatient (IOP)Assessments
Treatment Programs: Substance UseDual-Diagnosis

FAQ

You have questions. We have answers.

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:

  • Coke
  • Coca
  • C
  • Snow
  • Flake
  • Blow
  • Bump
  • Candy
  • Charlie
  • Rock
  • Toot

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:

  • Alcohol
  • Marijuana
  • Prescription drugs
Background Image
Young black man standing in front of a blue background.

Let’s Take the Next Steps Together

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.