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Cocaine has been used for longer than most other drugs, other than alcohol. It was widely used by ancient civilizations in South America long before they were invaded by the Spaniards in the 1600’s. During that time the natives chewed the leaves of the coca plant as an energy boost much the way coffee is used today. In 1860 a man named Albert Neimann extracted pure cocaine powder from the leaves which was initially used as a medicine and as an additive to wines and later as the main ingredient of Coca-Cola (thus the name). When the deleterious effects of the substance became known, it was outlawed in the United States and removed from Coca-Cola, although the name still remains.

Cocaine basically alters the normal function of the brain producing a strong pleasurable feeling. The feeling is usually very short-lived, 20 minutes on average, and the user often does multiple doses in an evening because of this. Cocaine is easily removed from the body and therefore is easy to physically detox from. There are no physical withdrawal symptoms to deal with. The most difficult part of cocaine addiction treatment is dealing with the mental addiction the user feels.

There are no medications currently available to specifically treat cocaine addiction. The main goal of cocaine addiction treatment is working on behavioral modifications. Counseling is also very important in order to uncover possible unresolved emotional issues that might lead the user to seek an escape. Learning to deal with conflicts and problems in a healthy way is key to avoiding drug abuse. Another important factor is the incentive a user has to become and remain clean and drug free. Sometimes this is the legal consequences they will face if they are caught using again, but it is even more effective if the user has a strong personal conviction to become and remain drug free.

According to recent studies, cocaine addiction treatment can be effective in either long or short term treatment (with appropriate long term support and counseling) and in either in-patient or out-patient settings. The main factors are really the desire of the user to rid themselves of the addiction and the support of family, friends and the medical professionals at the cocaine addiction treatment center. Since simply not using the drug for a day is enough to rid the body of the drug, work on developing new habits and strategies can begin right away and with the proper attitude, the user can be well on their way to a drug free life in as little as 28 days.

Although treating cocaine addiction is easier in many ways than treating other types of drug addiction, it is important to note that the continued use and abuse of cocaine is very dangerous. There are many health risks involved in using cocaine, including sudden heart attack or stroke and using cocaine along with alcohol is the most deadly combination possible. The majority of “drug related” deaths that are reported this year are a result of this combination.

Getting help from a qualified cocaine addiction treatment center is the first step in creating a better future for everyone involved. The risks involved in continuing to use cocaine are severe and the process of quitting with a cocaine addiction treatment center are so effective that there is no logical reason to put it off any further.

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