What is cocaine and how is it used?

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive crystalline substance obtained from the leaves of the coca plant of South America. It’s a central nervous system stimulant, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic. Its possession, cultivation, and distribution are illegal for non-medicinal purposes almost worldwide.

Cocaine is generally sold on the street as a fine, white, crystalline powder. Street dealers dilute it with inert substances like cornstarch, talcum powder and/or sugar. Or with other active drugs like procaine (a chemically related local anesthetic) and similar stimulants.

Other forms of cocaine: Other forms include base/freebase and crack. Freebase is the base form of cocaine, as opposed to the salt form. It is practically insoluble in water, whereas the powder form is water-soluble.

Crack is a lower-purity form of freebase cocaine and contains sodium bicarbonate. Crack rocks appear as off-white nuggets with jagged edges, with a slightly higher density than candle wax. Purer forms of crack resemble a hard, brittle plastic, in crystalline form.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimates that in 2007 there were 2.1 million current cocaine users—of which about 610,000 were crack users. Adults 18-25 have a higher rate of cocaine use than any other age group.

The same survey showed that nearly 1.6 million Americans meet the DSM-IV criteria for dependence or abuse of cocaine (in any form). Data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) shows that cocaine was involved in 548,608 emergency room visits in 2006.

Use: The powdered salt form of cocaine can be snorted, or dissolved in water and then injected. The drug can also be used orally and smoked.

How do I know if I am addicted to cocaine?

Read these questions (developed by Cocaine Anonymous) as a self-test for cocaine addiction:

1. Have you ever used more cocaine than you planned?
2. Has cocaine use interfered with your job?
3. Is your cocaine use causing conflict with your spouse or family?
4. Do you feel depressed, guilty or remorseful after you use cocaine?
5. Do you use whatever cocaine you have, almost continually, until it’s all gone?
6. Have you ever experienced sinus problems or nosebleeds due to cocaine use?
7. Do you ever wish you had never taken that first line/hit of cocaine?
8. Have you experienced chest pains or rapid/irregular heartbeats when using cocaine?
9. Are you obsessed with getting cocaine when you don’t have it?
10. Are you experiencing financial difficulties due to your cocaine use?
11. Do you experience an anticipation high just knowing you are about to use cocaine?
12. After using cocaine, do you have difficulty sleeping without taking a drink or other drug?
13. Are you absorbed with the thought of getting loaded, even while interacting with a friend or loved one?
14. Have you begun to use drugs alone or drink alone?
15. Do you ever have feelings that people are talking about you or watching you?
16. Do you have to use larger amounts of drugs or alcohol to get the same high you once experienced?
17. Have you tried to quit or cut down on your cocaine use, only to find that you could not?
18. Have any of your friends or family suggested that you may have a problem?
19. Have you ever lied to or misled those around you about how much or how often you use?
20. Do you use drugs in your car, at work, in the bathroom, in airplanes, or in other public places?
21. Are you afraid that if you stop using cocaine or alcohol, your work will suffer or you will lose your energy?
22. Do you spend time with people or in places you otherwise would not be around, but for the availability of drugs?
23. Have you ever stolen drugs or money from friends or family?

If you answered “YES” to one or more questions, you may have a problem with cocaine or a similar mind-altering substance.

Rehab Options for Cocaine Addiction

Support Systems Homes specializes in cocaine rehabilitation for Northern California. In our San Jose rehab center, we provide several treatment options; treating cocaine addiction under different guidelines. Depending on the severity of addiction, we may use more than one treatment.

Detoxification: Detox from cocaine can be painful. But it’s a necessary process on the way to recovery. Support Systems detox centers help to mitigate withdrawal symptoms, so you can safely get the drug out of your system.

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can include intense cravings, anger, paranoia, extreme fatigue, depression, nausea/vomiting, muscle pain and trouble sleeping. This is why Support Systems Homes employs medically trained professionals to conduct detox at our rehab centers.

Once detox has completed, we can place you in a longer-term treatment option best suited to your needs.

Residential treatment (residential drug rehab): Residential cocaine treatment involves living in a safe, supervised setting for 30 days or more. In this structured setting, you can focus completely on recovering from addiction. Participants receive drug education, individual and group counseling, family counseling, introduction to community-based self-help groups (see below), and referrals to community resources.

We also help you develop a plan for long-term freedom from cocaine, and a support network with others in recovery like you.

Outpatient rehab treatment: More intensive forms of treatment may be followed by outpatient treatment—regular structured therapeutic group and individual counseling several days a week, usually for several months. If you’re stable enough that you don’t need monitoring or structured activities 24/7, you may be offered outpatient treatment.

Community-based self-help groups: Groups like Cocaine Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, along with non-12-step-based programs, are designed to help addicts attain long-term abstinence. They provide tools and support networks to help deal with serious addictions.

Need Help with Addiction?

Support Systems Homes
1202 Meridian Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125
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Support Systems Homes was founded in 1990. Our intention has always been to provide high-quality rehab treatment solutions at an affordable rate. Our staff members have been actively involved in outreach and education programs throughout California for years.

For more information, please give us a call. We are available to assist you 24 hours a day.

Call Support Systems Homes at 408-370-9688 or 800-811-180.

Our Service Area

Support Systems Homes serves the Greater Bay Area of Northern California; as well as Santa Clara County, Alameda County, San Mateo County and San Francisco.

Some of the cities we serve include: Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Milpitas, San Jose, Santa Clara, San Leandro, and San Francisco.

Questions? We Have Answers – 24/7.

Call Support Systems Homes at 408-370-9688 or 800-811-1800.