Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine addiction is a “chronic relapse disorder,” which means that ex-cocaine addicts tend to revert to previous addictive behaviors, even after they have been rehabilitated. This includes cocaine use and is especially true because the cocaine addiction is a very strong psychological addiction. Personality and psychological problems; social pressures and factors; and anxiety, depression and loneliness often pull the former cocaine addict back into drug use and dependency.

Therefore, those who suffered from cocaine addiction in the past should immediately seek help if they feel a strong pull to return to cocaine addiction. The more quickly you request help the more your chances of recovering and staying rehabilitated. If you are afraid to consult with a physician, then you can call help lines or hot lines. The people who man these hot lines are usually sympathetic and have basic information and know where to forward people to. Talking to them can help you clarify the issues to yourself and help you decide on the next step. Hot lines can be found in the phone book, the internet, or through calling information.

Cocaine addiction is characterized by the addict’s denial of his addiction. Therefore addicts usually don’t take the initiative to get professional help. They need outsiders to convince them to undertake testing for cocaine addiction. Family, friends and co-workers should be proactive in helping people to get tested for drug addiction.

Cocaine Addiction Diagnosis

Cocaine addiction usually begins with the family doctor, generally following a family members worry about the addict’s behavior. Your family doctor may ask about how often you use cocaine, if you feel that you could have a problem or if people who know you well have discussed your cocaine use with you. Cocaine addiction is generally diagnosed by an addiction counselor, psychologist, of psychiatrist. Blood tests are insufficient to conclude cocaine addiction; however, they can confirm the presence of cocaine in the blood, when the addict lies about cocaine use.