Is Cocaine Addiction Physical or Psychological?
Unfortunately, cocaine addiction has aspects that are both physical and psychological, making it one of the most difficult addiction syndromes to break. If you want to find safe, reliable rehab treatment, call 800-736-5356(Who Answers?) now to learn about your options for cocaine addiction recovery.
Cocaine Addiction: A Physical and Psychological Syndrome
The abuse of cocaine often causes side effects that are both mental and physical all at once. For example, the abuse of the drug speeds up your body and mind, making you think and act faster. It can also affect your heart, lungs, and blood pressure, as well as your thought processes, your inhibitions, and your perceptions.
According to the National Library of Medicine, “It is easy to lose control over cocaine use and become addicted” because the drug affects all aspects of your life, including your brain and body.
Once withdrawal kicks in, the experience of cocaine addiction can become much more psychological. This is partially because “cocaine withdrawal has no visible physical symptoms, such as the vomiting and shaking that accompany withdrawal from heroin or alcohol” (NLM).
Still, someone going through withdrawal from the drug will experience a slowing down of their physical and mental activities, which can be extremely frustrating when the person is used to everything going much more quickly.
The consequences of cocaine abuse, including the side effects caused by the drug, can be both physical and psychological. Cocaine abuse can lead to
Physical
Cocaine abuse can cause insomnia.
- Heart problems
- Insomnia
- Constricted blood vessels
- Increased body temperature
- Nausea and vomiting
- Restlessness
- Malnutrition
- Nosebleeds and loss of one’s sense of smell
Psychological
- Psychosis
- Risky sexual behavior that can lead to contracting diseases, unwanted pregnancies, etc.
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Tolerance
- Irritability
- Severe cravings
How is Cocaine Addiction Treated?
Because the substance causes both physical and psychological issues, all of which can be very severe, inpatient treatment in a 24-hour facility is often the best potential choice for recovery. In this sort of program, patients can receive a number of treatment options that can all cater to different needs pertaining to different aspects of recovery.
Modalities like exercise, medications, and behavioral therapy can treat both types of issues and allow you to address both the physical and psychological problems you have encountered as a result of your cocaine abuse.
You can find many options in a professional cocaine addiction treatment program that allows you to work on both the mental and physical aspects of your recovery. And because cocaine addiction is so intertwined with both the body and the mind, you should absolutely seek this help in order to ensure a safe and strong recovery.
8 Signs You are Withdrawing from Cocaine (And Need Immediate Treatment)
Need Reliable Cocaine Addiction Treatment?
Call 800-736-5356(Who Answers?) to find rehab centers where you can recover safely from cocaine abuse and create a program specifically catered to your needs. We can help you find the best options for you in order to put an end to your substance abuse for good.