Cocaine Addiction on the Rise in Urban Australia

In 2019-2020 the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, found 5.7 tonnes of cocaine in an analysis of wastewater in the Sydney area leading to an assumption that the cocaine use is at the highest levels among residents of this city. This was confirmed by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) that there isn’t only an increase in availability but also in the use of cocaine.

Both pieces of research concluded there was a need for cocaine rehab treatment among Australians.

Use of cocaine and addiction rates in Australia

It has been said that there is an increase in the use of cocaine in Sydney due to the high level of availability.

The risk of cocaine overdose by those using the drug has developed over time as people require larger amounts of the drug to achieve a high, causing a high rate of hospitalisation. Cocaine-related hospitalisation rate increased to 15.6 per 100,000 people in 2017- 2018 according to the NDARC report and has been rising drastically ever since.

You might think it is okay to use the drugs as long as there is no overdose, but recently in Sydney, 11 people were hospitalised and two people died from ingesting cocaine that was laced with heroin unknowingly.

How addictive can cocaine be?

Cocaine is named as one of the most addictive drugs by public health agencies, it is addictive due to its interaction pattern with the brain.

Cocaine interacts with the brain by releasing huge amounts of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, these neurotransmitters are related to feelings of pleasure and well-being of the body, this stimulates feelings of euphoria and confidence while reducing inhibitions and anxiety for users. Without the drug the user is unable to feel pleasure and wellness in the body and so the brain craves cocaine to achieve this sort of feeling.

Once a user develops a dependence on cocaine to achieve pleasurable emotions they will experience depression, anxiousness, and fatigue when they abstain from the drug, which may also lead to a long-term withdrawal syndrome. This means that breaking out of addiction is not always easy without professional support.

What are the signs of Cocaine Addiction?

Certain symptoms have been identified to signify addiction to cocaine and may include

1. Keeping drug use hidden or lying about it

2. Excessive drug usage, despite the adverse effects on overall health.

3. The person may be very dependent on cocaine.

4. You find the person spending most of their time alone.

5. The person experiences a sense of restlessness.

6. To achieve an effect, gradually increase the amount of cocaine used.

7. Changes in sleeping habits

8. Swings in mood

9. Delusions

10. Financial difficulties

11. Personal hygiene or daily duties are neglected (like house cleaning)

12. Lack of enthusiasm for previously appreciated activities

Symptoms of overdose

The following symptoms indicate that a person may be experiencing a cocaine overdose

1. Tremor

2. Difficulty in breathing

3. Chest pain

4. Increase in body temperature

5. Anxiety

6. Nausea

7. Increase in heart rate and heart attack in extreme cases

8. Seizures

What Are the Noticeable Symptoms in A Person Undergoing Cocaine Addiction Withdrawal?

These symptoms are noticeable once the person stops using the product and usually 12hours maximum after the last dose and can last for several days, weeks or months. Such symptom includes:

1. Anxiety

2. Agitation

3. Sleep disturbance

4. Unnecessary cravings

5. Inability to feel pleasure

Some Long-term Symptoms of Cocaine Use

Long-term symptoms can be avoided if treatment for cocaine addiction is sought at an early stage. These symptoms include:

1. Heart disease

2. Kidney disease

3. Infertility

4. Anxiety

5. Stroke

6. Severe weight loss

Overcoming Cocaine Addiction

For those suffering from a cocaine addiction, the best option is to seek professional treatment at a cocaine rehab. The complex physical and psychological factors affected by cocaine addiction are what make professional treatment so important. Addiction experts can help you identify the root causes behind your drug use, and also provide you with a range of coping mechanisms and supportive tools that can be adjusted to suit your particular needs.

This will help one to achieve a long-term recovery, maintain good health and develop ways to manage stress without the use of drugs.

Conclusion

Due to cocaine’s high price in relation to other illicit drugs, many individuals struggling with a cocaine addiction are people from a high-income bracket who prefer to keep their addiction treatment private due to the potential impact it can have on their career and status in society. These people often seek addiction rehab abroad.

The benefits of addiction treatment abroad are many. It allows the individual to keep their treatment confidential. Going abroad also helps you to get away from your everyday environment, and the people, places and situations that cause you to use cocaine in the first place. Cocaine rehab in Thailand is popular among Australians because of Thailand’s proximity to Australia and the fact that treatment costs approximately half the price of top quality addiction treatment centers in Australia.

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