More than 35 million people in the United States have used cocaine. A significant portion of those individuals have become addicted. A cocaine addiction can be devastating, and it has the potential to ruin lives. Those addicted to cocaine suffer in many ways, and so do their loved ones. Understanding how an addiction to cocaine can ruin lives may be the catalyst needed to begin recovery.
Cocaine Can Cause Long and Short Term Physical Problems
One of the most obvious ways that a cocaine addiction can ruin your life has to do with the short- and long-term physical effects. On a physiological level, cocaine can immediately cause harm. Within minutes of taking cocaine, users can experience negative side effects such as panic, paranoia, irritability, muscle aches, increased heart rate or restlessness.
When looking at the long-term effects of cocaine use, the verdict doesn’t get any better. With consistent use, as is typical for those struggling with addiction, some of the many physical problems cocaine can cause include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Heart arrhythmias
- Seizures
- Abdominal pain and nausea
- Vascular disease
- Chronic nosebleeds
A Cocaine Addiction Can Ruin Financial Stability
Another way that an addiction to cocaine can ruin lives is the fact that the drug is expensive. When an addiction to cocaine forms, the desire to use the drug will be all consuming. A lack of disposable income won’t get in the way of procuring the drug, even if it means making bad financial decisions.
Some individuals who struggle with an addiction to cocaine will stop paying their mortgage, sell family heirlooms or even steal from friends and family in order to afford their next fix. In addition, those who are addicted to cocaine may struggle to work because of the many physical and mental side effects. As a result, it may be harder to earn money. What little money is available continues to be spent on drugs.
Cocaine Addictions Can Lead to Legal Issues
Unfortunately, a cocaine addiction can often lead to serious legal issues. Many individuals who are addicted to cocaine will find themselves acting out of character when under the influence of cocaine or when trying to find their next dose of the drug. For example, being addicted to cocaine can increase the likelihood of reckless driving, of theft or of getting into physical altercations.
Of course, the fact that cocaine is illegal is also a major obstacle for those struggling with addiction. Every time the drug is bought or sold, there’s a risk that the user could be implicated in a sting operation with an undercover police officer. Simply being in possession of cocaine could lead to jail time. The more cocaine you have on you, the worse the legal consequences will be.
A Cocaine Addiction May Cause or Exacerbate Mental Health Concerns
The side effects of a cocaine addiction are often focused on the physical side of the equation. However, an addiction to cocaine can also make existing mental health conditions worse. In some cases, a drug addiction can also lead to the development of a mental health disorder.
The most common mental health problem associated with cocaine is anxiety. Prolonged and consistent use leads to feelings of anxiousness, and long-term users might suffer from panic attacks and fear of social situations. A cocaine addiction can also lead to paranoia, particularly when withdrawing from the drug, as well as feelings of extreme irritability and anger.
Cocaine Use and Addiction Can Ruin Relationships and Harm Loved Ones
An addiction to cocaine can also ruin lives by destroying relationships. When individuals are addicted to a drug like cocaine, it’s typical to feel guilty or ashamed. Users often want to hide this ailment from others. As a result, many individuals struggling with addiction isolate themselves from the people they care most about.
In other cases, individuals who are addicted to cocaine may act in a way that’s unusual for them. They may say or do things that hurt their loved ones. Not coming home at night, forgetting special moments with children or ignoring communication from parents may also happen when an addiction to cocaine takes control.
Clearly, a cocaine addiction can ruin lives in a multitude of ways. Thankfully, however, these changes aren’t permanent. At Healing Springs Ranch, it’s possible to transform lives for the better and break free from the bonds of a drug addiction with proper treatment and rehabilitation. To find out how, call us today at 866-656-8384.