Why Are So Many People Using Cocaine Today?
Why Are So Many People Using Cocaine Today?
Why are there so many people using cocaine in the United States today and ignoring all the health risks?
Once considered a wealthy person’s drug, the people using cocaine today are of any social or economic status. The symptoms of cocaine addiction go unheeded by most of the individuals who have fallen under its spell. Have you ever wondered why are so many people using cocaine today? It is estimated that there are 1.5 million people that use cocaine once a month. Those in the age group of 18 to 25 being the highest percentage of regular cocaine users.
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Why Are so Many People Using Cocaine?
One reason stems from the fact that many individuals still believe cocaine to be a safe, recreational drug that is non-addictive. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Statistics from hospitals, law enforcement, and treatment providers prove that cocaine is involved in crime, accidents, health problems, and needless deaths just as any other drug.
Another reason for people using cocaine is possibly the result of music and movies that promote cocaine use and other drugs as an acceptable form of entertainment today. The number of songs and movies that portray this type of activity as the “normal” way to socialize is astonishing.
- Increased tolerance to the euphoric effects.
- Withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, sleeplessness, agitation, or depression.
- When cocaine is available, they use it all, unable to save some for later.
- Cannot successfully reduce the amount of cocaine being used.
- Spends most of their time obtaining and using cocaine.
- Social isolation.
- Stealing, shoplifting, burglary or homicide to pay for cocaine.
- Increased absences from work or school, job loss, failing grades, dropouts.
- Continuing to use cocaine despite knowledge about the mental and physical consequences.
As with any other drug, people using cocaine do it as a voluntary choice; however, compulsive use frequently follows. At this point, professional treatment will be necessary for successfully overcoming the effects of the drug and discontinuing use permanently.
What Do the Effects of Cocaine Feel Like?
- Confusion
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Paranoia
- Delirium
- Hallucinations
- Violence
- Homicide
- Suicidal Thoughts
Considering the above facts, it isn’t plausible to consider this a safe drug that a person can simply stop using anytime they choose. When a drug produces energy, pleasure, joy, and freedom from pain all at the same time, it is not difficult to understand why no one wants to give it up voluntarily. Sadly, when pursuing these pleasurable benefits, the users eventually feel cheated when they fail to re-create that first initial high. At this point, it is no longer fun, and this is when the problems truly begin for people using cocaine.
When it Stops Being Fun
You need to seek professional treatment right away when cocaine abuse progresses to the point that your family life, social activities, mental stability, physical health, or occupation are adversely affected. At this point, your cocaine use is no longer providing the fun it once did, and now you need it just to feel normal.
If you were able to stop using cocaine on your own, you would probably already have done so. Clearly, you need the expertise of addiction specialists to help you safely and efficiently overcome the physical dependence. Once that is accomplished you should enter a rehabilitation program to learn how to function in daily life without cocaine present.
Rehabilitation programs are designed to teach you proven methods for preventing relapse while also helping you repair the emotional and spiritual damage that took place during the drug abuse. Lasting recovery is entirely dependent on your level of commitment, confidence, and attitude. During rehab, you participate in various activities, classes, and counseling sessions designed to rebuild your self-esteem, improve your physical health, and help you look deep inside yourself to understand the root causes of the addiction. You will then be able to deal with life in a more productive manner and make some of the dreams come true that you abandoned during your cocaine use.
What Effects Does Cocaine Have on Society?
Cocaine abuse affects everyone due to increased crime, costs for treatment and law enforcement, decreased productivity in workplaces, more homelessness, and far too many needless deaths every day.
- Cocaine is the second most popular illegal drug worldwide.
- National surveys reveal that 35.3 million Americans over the age of 12 reports using cocaine.
- Over 8.6 million people reported using crack cocaine.
- More than 8% of twelfth graders admit to having used cocaine at least once.
- Nearly 500,000 ER visits involved cocaine in one year.
After losing everything to cocaine, the addict becomes dependent on the state or federal government for treatment, incarceration, or burial. The increased crime rates due to cocaine-seeking behavior put a financial and physical burden on local law enforcement as they track down dealers and respond to various break-ins, murders, etc. related to drug-seeking behavior. Victims of these crimes walk in fear of wondering when it might happen again.
Making an Informed Choice for Treatment
If the symptoms of cocaine addiction are evident and using the drug is no longer a choice, you are probably on a dangerous path. The first thing to do is break out of denial and admit that you have a problem.
- Contact the center by phone or in-person
- Talk to other recovered addicts
- Referral services, privately owned or state-sponsored
- Online searches for websites of various facilities
You also need to know what to look for and what to expect in rehab. It’s important to find a facility that is experienced in treating cocaine.
- They are accredited by the state they are located in
- They can provide facts about their success rates
- The program includes an aftercare service
- The staff is licensed and credentialed
- You have options for choosing your own path to recovery such as faith-based, traditional, or Native American approaches
- They offer financial arrangements or accept insurance
- The location is suitable for you depending on whether you prefer being close to home or not
The important thing is that you do this right away and get into treatment before your situation worsens.
If you are in need of professional help for cocaine abuse or would like more information about the symptoms of cocaine addiction, contact us today and one of our knowledgeable representatives can provide the answers you need and can recommend a program based on your unique needs.
Speak confidentially with an A Forever Recovery advisor.
- drugabuse.gov – Cocaine
