End-stage cocaine abuse can lead to some severe consequences. These consequences can affect a person’s health, and emotional well-being, and can affect their social engagements. Struggling with cocaine abuse is a struggle that can be extremely life-altering, causing some intense interruptions to daily life.

Getting help at a rehab center as soon as possible can help to prevent some of these consequences, and help to revert life back to normal standing.

Cocaine Abuse Statistics

Cocaine abuse is a prevalent issue in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), of people aged 12 and older in 2021, approximately 4.8 million people reported using cocaine within the last 12 months. In addition, about 1.4 million people aged 12 or older reported having a cocaine use disorder in the last 12 months.

Once reaching end-stage cocaine abuse, getting away from the substance can be extremely difficult. It can affect every aspect of a person’s life and make it extremely difficult to return to normal life. Reaching out for help can make a big difference when someone is struggling with cocaine abuse.

End Stage Cocaine Abuse

End-stage cocaine abuse refers to an advanced and severe stage of addiction to cocaine. At this point, people struggling with cocaine experience mental, physical, and social consequences as a result of their cocaine use.

Characteristics of end-stage cocaine abuse include loss of control over the use of the drug, deteriorating physical health, breakdown of interpersonal relationships, and risk of overdose along with other life-threatening health issues. There generally are intense cravings, a person could be struggling with tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and not being able to function without using the drug.

Cocaine Abuse and Organ Damage

Cocaine abuse and end-stage cocaine abuse can lead to severe repercussions for someone’s health. Thus, cocaine abuse can affect different organs and systems of the body that are vital to life. This can include the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, and the gastrointestinal system.

Cocaine can lead to arrhythmias and other heart complications, including heart attacks. Heart muscle damage can occur as a result of constricted blood vessels not pumping enough blood into the heart. With the respiratory system, cocaine abuse can lead to respiratory distress and lung damage.

In addition, chronic cocaine abuse can lead to ischemic colitis as a result of a lack of blood flow to the intestines. Kidneys can also be affected by cocaine abuse. Because end-stage cocaine abuse can cause constricted blood vessels, it can affect kidney function leading to potential kidney failure.

Signs of Cocaine Abuse

If there is concern a loved one could be abusing cocaine, there are some signs to look out for. Cocaine is a highly addictive drug and end-stage cocaine abuse can be extremely easy to spot.

Physical: Physical symptoms someone can look out for in a loved one include nose bleeds, lost sense of smell, and runny nose. Cocaine users may also experience withdrawal symptoms without the use of the drug.
Emotional: End-stage cocaine abuse can lead to extremely drastic mood swings in users. This can be especially extreme and drastic when the drug is not available.
Mental: Mental health concerns can become more prevalent with the use of cocaine, or lack of cocaine availability.
Financial: Those struggling with cocaine could have financial difficulties suddenly and seemingly for no reason.

Cocaine Withdrawal

End-stage cocaine abuse can lead to some uncomfortable feelings of withdrawal. These symptoms can include things like nausea, vomiting, insomnia, muscle aches and cramps, depression, and anxiety.

Having proper professional care as someone is going through this can help to ensure that they are safely detoxed from the drug. It can also help to ensure the best possible outcome when it comes to beginning life in recovery.

Cocaine Detox

Cocaine detox can make a world of difference in the lives of those that are struggling with the drug. The symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable. Withdrawal often leads people back to using the drug due to the uncomfortable symptoms.

Professional care and medical monitoring can help to ensure this process is as safe as possible, while simultaneously addressing any symptoms that may arise. This allows for the person to be as comfortable as possible as they endure the process of cocaine detox.

Detox is not the cure for cocaine abuse and addiction. Continued help and professional care is highly suggested to learn positive coping and life skills that can be beneficial to a person as they continue their life in recovery. Loved ones should encourage someone struggling to receive proper care as they go through the process of withdrawal, and beginning a life in recovery.

Ending Cocaine Abuse in Orange County, CA

Struggling with cocaine abuse is a dangerous situation to be in. It can affect a person physically, mentally and emotionally. It can alter an individual’s life course tremendously. If you or a loved one are struggling with cocaine abuse, there is help. At Ocean Hills Recovery in Orange County, California, we offer proven treatment options to those struggling with cocaine abuse. We help those looking to find recovery from cocaine addiction to find a new beginning.

About the author:

Greg Doss, CATCI

Greg opened his home and heart to alcoholics and addicts in 2003. He is a Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor (CATCI). Starting in 2009 Greg has fostered the growth of Ocean Hills Recovery into one of the most respected and effective treatment centers in the area and has been working with people with addictions since March of 2001. Greg believes in a holistic approach to recovery. His focus is on drug alcohol addiction treatment with a combination of 12 Step work, therapy and counseling, and the rejuvenation of the body through healthful eating and exercise. He has designed his program to foster a family-like atmosphere and believes that people in recovery are just beginning their lives. He encourages the people he works with to learn to enjoy life in sobriety. Greg is married to Nicole; they have two adorable sons together and an energetic yellow Labrador Retriever.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.