cocaine
What is cocaine?
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system, obtained by refining the leaves of the coca bush. Its use causes high organic toxicity, resulting from its mechanism of action on the brain and the cardiovascular system, which makes it one of the most dangerous illegal drugs. In recent years there has been a significant increase in hospital emergency admissions related to cocaine use, reflecting a worrying rise in its use and in the associated medical complications, such as anxiety attacks, arrhythmias, heart attacks or psychotic episodes.
Cocaine can come in two forms:
- As a white powder, cocaine hydrochloride
- As small crystals, which are the free base of cocaine (crack)
The routes of administration are: inhaled (snorted), smoked or injected.
Effects of use:
- Psychological effects: euphoria, talkativeness, elevated mood. Increased sociability, an initial sense of well-being, hyperactivity, heightened sexual desire. With chronic use, when these sought-after effects wear off, a comedown (crash) follows, characterised by a state of tiredness, apathy and drowsiness.
- Physical effects: increased blood pressure and heart rate. Absence or reduction of appetite, sleep and fatigue.
Side effects of use:
- At a psychological level, chronic use can cause serious mental disorders: paranoid ideas of self-reference or persecution that can progress to delusions and hallucinations, also called “cocaine psychosis”. Psychiatric complications can also occur, with symptoms of anxiety and depression, cognitive difficulties that affect concentration and memory, etc.
- At an organic level, chronic use can cause cardiovascular conditions: arrhythmias and ischaemic heart disease, respiratory conditions (dyspnoea or difficulty breathing), eating disorders: anorexia or bulimia, chronic insomnia, abdominal and muscle pain, nausea or vomiting, as well as reduced libido and sexual dysfunction.
Using cocaine and alcohol together is a very common and especially dangerous combination. This mixture produces a metabolite in the body called cocaethylene, a substance with greater addictive and toxic potential than either drug on its own. Cocaethylene increases the risk of heart and liver damage, and is associated with the appearance of antisocial behaviour, aggression and violence in the person using. According to the Survey on Alcohol and Drugs in Spain (EDADES), 2.3% of the adult population reported having used cocaine in the last year, placing Spain among the countries with the highest consumption in the world. These data show the need to strengthen the prevention and treatment of addictions related to both substances.
What do we offer?
First orientation and information interview
The first orientation interview is the starting point of addiction treatment. At this stage, the patient’s full clinical history is compiled, gathering information on their history of use, personal and family background, social and family situation and any associated organic conditions.
During this initial interview, the professional team assesses whether prior detoxification is needed before starting psychotherapeutic treatment and determines whether this should take place on an outpatient or residential basis, according to the person’s characteristics and needs. This step is essential for designing an individualised and effective intervention plan.
If treatment is residential: referral to one of our two therapeutic centres: Riera Major or Can Coll.
If treatment is outpatient:
- Individual psychotherapy: Orientation and treatment sessions with a psychologist specialising in drug dependence.
- Psychiatric care: guidance and assessment of whether psychotropic medication is needed to lessen the desire to use cocaine (craving) and the loss of control once use begins (priming)
- Urine test monitoring
- Family therapy
- Group psychotherapy
Free first consultation
Call us free of charge on: 93 424 04 00
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