Cocaine Addiction Treatment in Chattanooga, TN

Iris Wellness Group provides a comprehensive cocaine addiction treatment program aimed at empowering individuals to break free from this perilous substance. While the dangers of cocaine are widely recognized, countless individuals still fall prey to its grip. Its addiction not only profoundly impacts lives but can also be fatal. Our approach incorporates various therapeutic techniques that have been proven effective in achieving and maintaining sobriety. Should you or a cherished one be battling cocaine addiction, turn to Iris Wellness Group for assistance. Reach out to us at 423-401-9630 or verify your insurance for the support you deserve.

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine, a potent stimulant, originates from the coca bush leaves in South America. Historically, it was utilized for its analgesic and anesthetic properties. In its refined state, it appears as a white powder often mixed with other substances. Commonly snorted, this method delivers a rapid burst of euphoria, energy, and alertness. Through its action on the central nervous system, cocaine increases dopamine levels in the brain, inducing an intense high. Due to these effects, rapid dependency can develop, leading to continued consumption.

Various methods of cocaine use include snorting, ingesting, or injecting its dissolved form. A stronger variant, crack cocaine, is sometimes termed freebase or rock. This concentrated form amplifies the drug’s effects, inducing even more intense sensations. All cocaine variations trigger a dopamine surge, causing heightened focus, impulsivity, and bursts of energy. This acceleration of brain-to-body messages results in symptoms like:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Intense paranoia
• Mental confusion
• Sleeplessness
• Physical tremors
• Visual hallucinations
• Swift eye movements

The drug’s fleeting presence in the bloodstream causes its highs to be short-lived. This transient euphoria often plunges users into states of depression, sluggishness, and diminished coordination. The allure of cocaine isn’t just the high; it’s the heightened concentration and motivation it offers. This addictiveness is pervasive, cutting across various societal strata. Contrary to some perceptions, it’s consumed by diverse groups, often as an aid to maintain drive in professional, academic, or social scenarios.

Cocaine Abuse: Unraveling the Dangers and Overdose Risks.

Cocaine, though often classified with opioids like heroin, has its distinct dangers, especially when adulterated with substances like fentanyl. This raises its risk level significantly higher than commonly perceived. The consequences of cocaine abuse span a broad spectrum of physical and psychological issues:

• Cardiovascular complications: Cocaine-related problems can lead to heart attacks, respiratory failure, and even severe organ damage. The threat of contracting infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and HBV/HCV also looms large.
• Emotional challenges: Deprivation from cocaine can induce users into a whirlwind of emotions, characterized by fluctuating mood patterns, heightened anxiety, and general irritability.
• Lung disorders: Individuals smoking crack cocaine are exposed to a higher risk of respiratory damages, including potential lung diseases.
• Digestive concerns: Cocaine’s impact on blood circulation can result in ulcerations and significant damage to the gastrointestinal system.
• Blood pressure anomalies: Regular intake of cocaine has been correlated with episodes of acute hypertension and kidney failures.
• Increased polydrug use: Cocaine enthusiasts often veer towards the consumption of other harmful substances, including but not limited to alcohol and heroin.
• Drastic weight changes: A reduced appetite is a hallmark of frequent cocaine users, often leading to notable weight loss.
• Neurological implications: The way cocaine interacts with the central nervous system predisposes users to a heightened risk of seizures, especially if consumed via snorting, smoking, or intravenous methods.
• Impaired sleep: The surge in dopamine, coupled with elevated energy levels due to cocaine, disrupts regular sleep patterns, making restful sleep hard to achieve.

Given its nature as a rapid-response stimulant, cocaine poses severe risks, including potential overdose and fatal consequences. Indicators of a cocaine overdose encompass:

• Onset of a heart attack or stroke
• Discomfort or pain in the chest
• Rapid heart rhythm
• Nausea and vomiting
• Spike in body temperature
• Mental delusions or psychosis
• Onset of seizures or uncontrollable shaking

Often, individuals undergoing an overdose are incapacitated, making it difficult for them to seek medical intervention independently. This incapacitation can culminate in fatal outcomes or lasting health complications. As cocaine consumption becomes habitual, the user’s brain becomes increasingly dependent on the drug for its dopamine supply. Eventually, the brain’s natural dopamine production diminishes, leading to severe withdrawal effects, amplified depression, and other related mood disturbances.

Navigating Cocaine Addiction Treatment at Iris Wellness Group

Iris Wellness Group provides outpatient cocaine addiction treatment. In our program, adults attend sessions during the day, while adolescents have evening sessions. This format ensures that participants can continue living at home, a preference for many compared to inpatient programs where a residential stay is required. Our outpatient therapy encompasses a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to support those confronting substance abuse. We proudly present a suite of Outpatient Programs, including Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and specialized Adolescent IOP, all focused on aiding those with cocaine addiction.

Moreover, the intricacies of addiction often intertwine with mental health, leading to the significance of dual diagnosis treatment. It’s estimated that about half of those battling addictions like cocaine are simultaneously managing a distinct mental health disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, or PTSD. This overlap underscores the importance of addressing both addiction and mental health concurrently. Achieving sobriety often corresponds with an alleviation in mental health symptoms. Similarly, as individuals acquire tools to better handle their mental well-being, the reliance on substances as a crutch tends to diminish.

The Prevalence of Cocaine Addiction Today

While much attention is directed towards the dangers of prescription opioids and alcohol in modern discourse, the prevalence of cocaine addiction often goes under the radar. Despite this, cocaine addiction continues to be a pressing issue in the US. Data from 2018 revealed that approximately 5.5 million Americans, aged 12 and older, had engaged with cocaine or its potent variant, crack cocaine. By 2020, around 1.3 million individuals within the same age bracket were grappling with a cocaine-related disorder. Tragically, cocaine overdoses culminated in almost 20,000 fatalities that year. Alarmingly, up to 1,800 Americans are introduced to cocaine daily. While some may perceive their initial use as mere experimentation, it frequently escalates to a debilitating addiction.