Treating Cocaine Addiction in Central Pennsylvania

At St. Joseph Institute, in Port Matilda, PA, we work with clients who are struggling with all forms of addiction, including addiction to alcohol, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, and many other drugs, including cocaine.

Cocaine, a potent stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca plant, is known for its euphoric effects and destructive consequences. Despite its short-lived high, cocaine addiction can ensnare individuals in a cycle of dependency, wreaking havoc on their physical health, mental well-being, and relationships.

If you or a loved one is using cocaine, seek help right away. Our team can help you find your way back to sobriety and health. We are specially trained to meet our clients where they are, and we offer evidence-based therapies and treatment, along with family programming, holistic programming, and a robust alumni support network.

What is Cocaine Addiction?

Cocaine is most often sold as a fine white powder that is snorted into the nose, rubbed into the gums, or dissolved in water and injected with a needle. The drug can also be found as a solid rock crystal that can be heated up so users can breathe the smoke into their lungs. Slang terms for cocaine include coke, snow, blow, rock, and crack.

Cocaine exerts its effects by increasing the levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, in the brain. This surge in dopamine creates feelings of euphoria, heightened energy, and enhanced confidence and alertness, making cocaine an appealing substance for recreational use. Users may also experience an extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Repeated use can lead to tolerance, wherein individuals require larger doses to achieve the same effects, paving the way for addiction.

One study found that the risk of someone becoming addicted to cocaine is 5% after the first use but continues to increase every time the drug is used.

Signs of Cocaine Addiction

Recognizing the signs of cocaine addiction is crucial for early intervention and support. While the manifestations of addiction can vary from individual to individual, common signs and symptoms include:

Persistent use despite knowing the negative consequences
Increased tolerance, leading to escalated doses
Withdrawal from social activities and relationships
Financial difficulties due to money spent on cocaine
Changes in behavior, such as irritability, agitation, and mood swings
Physical symptoms like dilated pupils, increased heart rate, and weight loss
Engaging in risky behaviors to obtain or use cocaine

Believing cocaine is required to feel normal or to complete daily activities
Combining cocaine with alcohol or other addictive substances in search of a stronger high
Declining performance at work or school
Seeming to require very little sleep
Wearing clothing that is inappropriate for the weather to cover needle marks

Long-term Risks of Using Cocaine

Prolonged use of cocaine puts people at risk for a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Cocaine use can also provoke seizures or exacerbate a preexisting seizure disorder.

Some risks are specific to the way in which cocaine is being used. If the drug is being injected, there is an increased risk of HIV or hepatitis. If the drug is being snorted, it carries the risk of chronic nosebleeds, trouble swallowing, and loss of smell. If it’s being swallowed, there’s an increased risk of bowel decay.

Because cocaine is illegal and not subject to quality testing, it’s impossible to determine its potency and purity. Cocaine may be laced with a wide range of substances, including caffeine, creatine, powdered laundry detergent, laxatives, or boric acid. This can result in accidental poisoning or permanent organ damage.

Cocaine overdose occurs when a person takes more of the drug than their body can handle. This can happen more easily when a person has developed a tolerance to cocaine and requires more of it to feel the same effect. Too much cocaine in the body causes the brain to become dangerously overstimulated and can lead to fatal cardiac complications. Profuse sweating, nausea, confusion, agitation, anxiety, and tremors are all common signs of an overdose.

If you think a loved one has overdosed on cocaine, this is a medical emergency. Call 911 for assistance and provide as much information as you can about their symptoms and what substances you think they have taken.

Withdrawing From Cocaine

Cocaine withdrawal occurs when individuals abruptly stop or reduce their cocaine use after prolonged substance use. Withdrawal symptoms can be both physical and psychological, presenting significant challenges to individuals seeking to break free from addiction. Common cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:

Fatigue and lethargy
Depression and anxiety
Intense cravings for cocaine
Increased appetite and weight gain
Agitation, irritability, and mood swings
Disturbed sleep patterns, including insomnia and vivid dreams
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors in severe cases

The severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on factors such as the duration and intensity of cocaine use, individual physiology, and the presence of co-occurring mental health disorders. Withdrawal from cocaine addiction can be physically and emotionally taxing, underscoring the importance of professional support and guidance during the recovery process.

Convincing Your Loved One to Get Help

If you suspect a loved one of having a cocaine use disorder, talk to them about what you’re seeing and how you can help them find treatment. Remember, however, that people with substance use disorders are often deeply in denial—especially if they have not yet experienced severe consequences of their addiction, like job loss, divorce, bankruptcy, or arrest.

If your loved one refuses to seek treatment, don’t give up. An intervention may be more effective than a one-on-one conversation.

Cocaine & Mental Health Disorders

It’s quite possible that you or your loved one’s cocaine use is triggered by a mental health disorder, such as anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or a trauma disorder. It’s also possible that the cocaine use disorder has led to the development of a mental health disorder. Regardless of which disorder came first, treating both disorders simultaneously is crucial for long-term recovery.

St. Joseph Institute is designated as “co-occurring capable,” meaning we are prepared to treat the frequent combination of mental health and substance use disorders in our clients. All of our clients will undergo a professional medical and psychiatric assessment to determine what mental or physical health issues might be at play. Then, our treatment team works with each client to determine the best treatment path to address the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Here at St. Joseph Institute’s beautiful Pennsylvania campus, we provide a full continuum of care designed to fit each client’s unique needs. If you or a loved one is suffering from cocaine addiction, your treatment program will likely include the following:

Medically assisted detox: This helps remove cocaine from the body while managing withdrawal symptoms to keep each client safe and as comfortable as possible. Detox helps establish a sober baseline.
Individual, group, and family therapy: After detox, our inpatient and outpatient programs help clients learn to process past trauma, cope with unpleasant emotions without addictive substances, and build stronger relationships with others.
Holistic services: Our holistic program teaches the value of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and other elements of a wellness-focused lifestyle, such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga.
12-Step support: Our 12-Step-based program promotes a deeper connection to the recovery community, and we offer 12-Step alumni support groups after treatment ends.

No matter what’s happened in the past, there’s always hope for recovery. With our help, your or your loved one can begin working towards a future free from the burdens of addiction.