Reaching out for Help When With Addiction

One of the hardest parts of overcoming addiction can be reaching out for help. Many people experiencing addiction don’t know how to tell others about their struggles; there are numerous reasons for this.

Some people are embarrassed to tell loved ones about the problems they’re having. Others are in denial about the severity of their problem. Some just don’t know how to articulate how they’re feeling.  Regardless of how difficult it is, getting help for addiction is an essential first step in recovery.

Importance of Getting Help Right Away

It’s never a good idea to procrastinate from seeking help for addiction as it’s a progressive disease. Drug addiction and substance abuse tend to snowball and become more significant and problematic as time goes on. No one wakes up one day randomly and is a full-blown alcoholic or drug addict. The sooner you get help, the sooner you’ll get your life back. 

Recognizing Signs That You Need Help

In order to get help with your addiction, you first have to establish that you are suffering from substance abuse. Below are four common signs of addiction to look out for in yourself: 

  • Obsessive thoughts about drugs or alcohol
  • Lost interest in previously enjoyed activities
  • Declining health
  • Difficulty sustaining relationships with friends or family

Of course the list above is not an exhaustive list of signs of addiction. Substance abuse can take shape in many forms depending on the severity of your addiction and types of substances you’re abusing. Always consult a healthcare professional when seeking help for your physical and mental health. A good rule of thumb with addiction though is: if you have to question whether or not you have a substance abuse issue, you probably do. 

Tips for Getting Help

Once you have recognized that you do indeed suffer from addiction and substance abuse, the next step to getting better is seeking addiction treatment. Asking for the help you need can provide you with a great deal of relief. It will also get the most important people in your life on board in efforts to overcome the problem.

So, how do you get help with addiction? 

Identify the best person to talk to

Deciding who the best person to confide in about an addiction problems is important. You want to discuss substance abuse issues and the need for addiction treatment with someone who’s going to be supportive and positive. 

Write a letter

A lot of people dealing with drug abuse struggle to talk about their situation openly. You might at first want to bring the issue up with a loved one, but then you might find yourself repeatedly backing down.

If this is the case, consider the benefits of writing about your current struggle in a letter. Writing a letter gives you the chance to make sure that you’ve included all the details you need to before you send out this letter to seek help. If you find writing easier than talking about your drug addiction problem, this might be the best way to ask for help. 

Let your healthcare provider know

In addition to talking about what you’re going through with loved ones, you should also discuss addiction with a doctor. Your doctor needs to know if you’ve been consuming excessive amounts of drugs or alcohol lately.

Your doctor should also be aware of any conditions you’re suffering from that could be aggravated by substance abuse. He or she can, therefore, recommend any precautions you need to take to protect your health during this difficult time. 

Explore resources

There are fortunately many addiction resources available to help those who are dealing with substance abuse. Explore available resources on the Internet and at your doctor’s office. Take advantage of resources like counseling so that you take a proactive approach to recovery.

Take Advantage of Addiction Treatment Solutions

Having someone to talk to is important in overcoming addiction. Recovery resources like True Help Network are extremely valuable. By giving us a call, you’ll be connected with an addiction specialist who can help you get started on your recovery journey. Give us a call today to see how we can help you find the best possible addiction treatment! 

Cocaine Addiction: A Guide To Quitting

Overcoming an addiction to any substance isn’t easy by any means and can be a different experience for everyone. Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the substance you’re addicted to, some people require long term inpatient treatment, and some people can find success in sobriety by going to only outpatient treatment. If you or a loved one are starting down the path of addiction treatment for cocaine, keep reading for some insight on what you’ll be going through.

But First, What is Cocaine?

Cocaine, also referred to as “coke”, is an illegal drug that is the second-most popular recreational drug in the world after cannabis. Derived from coca leaves, the drug is most commonly used in powder or crystal form and can cause short-lived high energy, intense joy, and decrease feelings of pain. It is also highly addictive, and many users report feeling surprised after how few repeat uses it took to start craving the drug.

A major issue facing many cocaine users today is that the drug is readily available and considered socially acceptable in many social circles. This stems from the drug’s peak use in the 1980s, but it remains high today. Long-term users in particular who are trying to quit may face a peculiar set of social challenges as a result, and many feel pressured to either keep using or be faced with changing jobs or social groups. 

That said, cocaine is considered to be a dangerous drug, and long-term use can cause serious damage to the brain, heart, nasal passageway, veins and other parts of the body. Overdose on cocaine is possible, as users often keep increasing the amounts they use (and the frequency). The National Institute on Drug Abuse also reports that long-term users become less able to experience natural feelings of joy and happiness, because the neuron receptors in the brain begin to adapt to cocaine instead. While this can sound scary, the good news is that by understanding how cocaine works, we can find the key to learning how to beat addiction. 

Signs and Symptoms of Abuse

“Am I actually addicted to cocaine?” is a common question that many users ask themselves repeatedly before recognizing they actually have a problem. The truth is that this form of drug abuse can result in a variety of signs and symptoms:

  • Long periods of alertness or staying awake
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Paranoia
  • Dilated pupils
  • Loss of appetite or changes in eating habits
  • Schedule changes / frequent inability to be on time
  • Extreme excitement
  • Irritability 
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Confusion
  • Nasal problems

Long-term use (as well as high amounts of cocaine done at once) can also result in a range of even more serious issues, including both legal problems and detrimental health effects. Users may experience headaches, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, nausea, and/or fever-like symptoms. Some people may also experience seizures or even slip into a coma. All of these signs and symptoms can indicate an overdose and should receive medical attention as soon as possible, followed by entry into an addiction treatment program. 

How To Quit

Recovering from a cocaine addiction can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The fact that you are reading this already indicates that you recognize there is a problem, and that is the first and biggest step in quitting. Be proud of yourself for wanting help! 

The next steps involve actually overcoming your cocaine addiction. While ceasing use is obviously the biggest part in this, many people struggling with cocaine addiction find it useful to do some mindful thinking about how their addiction came about in the first place. For example, many users report that the first cocaine high was the strongest, most pivotal one they experienced. Their subsequent use was then often an attempt to recapture that feeling, but they later recognized that reaching it was impossible.

Many people also first used cocaine in social settings, where they wanted to fit in with the group and strengthen their bond with certain people. In this case, it’s important to recognize that interacting with groups who support unhealthy activities like cocaine use is not in your best interest, and you should surround yourself with friends and family members who actually care about your help and support your decision to quit. 

When it comes to actually stopping cocaine use, it’s strongly recommended that you do so in a medical setting and/or have medical professionals nearby who can help you. As you’re probably aware, quitting almost any drug can result in withdrawal symptoms. These may include:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Anxiety / Depression
  • Sweating / Chills
  • Auditory / visual hallucinations 
  • Fatigue
  • Changes in eating habits

It’s important to realize that, while unpleasant, all of these symptoms are temporary and will go away. The best way to manage them is by going through an established cocaine addiction treatment program with caring staff members who will ensure your safety. In order to help prevent relapse and achieve long-term recovery, it is also important that you participate in therapy, surround yourself with healthy, positive people, and avoid triggers that can cause future drug abuse. 

Need Help? We Got You Covered

You don’t have to go through quitting cocaine alone. At True Help Addiction Treatment Solutions, we offer free addiction treatment placement that can pair you up with the right program. We will be there for you throughout your time in treatment, offering support every step of the way. We strongly believe that having a solid support network is key to ending drug abuse and achieving long-term sobriety. 

If you have a loved one who is struggling with drug abuse, we also offer intervention services that can help. Contact us today to learn more.