The 2008 edition of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that an estimated 1.9 million Americans were currently using cocaine that year, with approximately 359,000 also using crack. The highest prevalence of both crack and cocaine abuse was in the 18-25 year age group, painting a potentially bleak future when it comes to the continued abuse of illegal drugs.
Though cocaine abuse is inarguably widespread and the list of possible effects nothing short of devastating, your MVP Health Care cocaine treatment coverage can help you start getting sober, start getting healthy, and start living the life you deserve.
Symptoms of Cocaine Abuse
In the short term, cocaine gives user a sense of euphoria or extreme happiness and a feeling of being mentally aware, energized, and alert, but in the long term the physiological effects of cocaine causing these seemingly positive symptoms wreak havoc on the user’s body. Symptoms and side effects of cocaine abuse include the following, all of which tend to get more pronounced with extended use:
- Constricted blood vessels
- Dilated pupils
- Raised blood pressure and heart rate
- Mood swings
- Erratic or even violent behavior
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Paranoia and panic attacks
- Dizziness
- Muscle tremors and twitches
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Neurological issues
- Stroke
- Seizure
- Headaches
- Coma
- Sudden death
Treating Cocaine Abuse
Once you enroll in a program affiliated with your MVP Health Care cocaine treatment coverage, your team of experienced addiction specialists will become the recovery process using a multi-faceted treatment approach:
- Pharmacological – Although there are numerous drug trials in the works as experts search for a pharmacological way to treat cocaine addiction, there are as of yet no medications specifically intended for this purpose. Still, some physicians will use other medications for off-label uses, and some drugs used to treat alcoholism and other compulsive conditions have shown some measure of effectiveness in controlled cocaine abuse trials. Other medicines may be prescribed to help with symptoms, side effects due to withdrawals, or underlying conditions such as bi-polar disorder or depression that may be contributing to the pattern of abuse, and those may or may not be approved as part of your MVP Health Care cocaine treatment coverage.
- Behavioral – Though cocaine is a substance abuse issue, treatment largely revolves around identifying behavioral factors and finding ways to channel those behaviors in a more positive fashion. Recognizing emotional and psychological triggers, learning how to manage cravings, and working on coping with possible relapse scenarios is all part of the recovery process. Therapy and counseling sessions designed to improve cognitive, emotional, and behavioral function are also frequently used, often with success.