Substance Abuse Rehab – Cocaine Overdose Prevention

Cocaine Overdose Prevention and Addiction Treatment

The addictive properties of cocaine result in many cases of severe addiction and overdoses across the United States. The CDC reported that as many as 10,619 people died as a result of cocaine overdoses in 2016. This makes cocaine deaths due to overdose the fourth highest drug overdose related deaths in the country. Compared to 2010, the number of deaths has doubled from 5,000 to over 10,000. These statistics stress the importance of cocaine overdose prevention in order to help those who are at risk of overdose and possible death.

Find help at the White Sands Treatment Centers in Fort Myers today for cocaine abuse and addiction. Call us at (877) 855-3470.

Drug Tolerance

One of the biggest reasons why overdose occurs in regular users of cocaine is the tolerance that develops through continued use. The body tries to adjust to the presence of the drug by altering its usual balance. One of the outcomes of continued use is that the body starts adjusting to the drug, leading to the person requiring increasing amounts of cocaine to be able to achieve the same results. The perpetual increase in dosage can quickly lead to dangerous amounts of the drug being taken in one sitting. As such, cocaine overdose prevention starts with seeking help from professionals in order to break the habit.

Cocaine Overdose Signs and Symptoms

By noticing the cocaine overdose signs, you could help save the life of a loved one or yourself. In the event that an overdose is suspected, emergency care should be immediately sought after to help reduce the many cocaine overdose symptoms that can affect the person’s health.

As a powerful stimulant, cocaine can cause the user’s body and brain to become overstimulated. The common cocaine overdose symptoms and signs experienced include the following:

• Severe elevated heart rate
• Profuse sweating
• High blood pressure
• Severely elevated body temperature
• Irregular heart beat
• Psychosis
• Seizures
• Severe confusion
• Agitation and anxiety
• Tremors throughout the body
• Stroke

While overdose is more likely to happen to regular users of cocaine, even a first time user can have an overdose. The risk of overdose is not easy to predict and the purity of the drug, how it is taken and the health of the user at the time are all factors that can increase the risk of an overdose.

How to Prevent an Overdose

There is no safe way to abuse an illegal drug. Due to the nature of addiction and tolerance levels, a person who continues to use the drug will gradually increase their overdose risk as time goes by. If any of the signs or symptoms of a drug overdose are apparent, emergency care should be contacted immediately. The sooner help is found, the better the chances of a recovery.

Cocaine overdose prevention, therefore, begins with finding help for the drug abuse. At White Sands Treatment Centers, a variety of rehab programs are available that are tailor-made to fit each individual perfectly.

Initially, a patient will be monitored through their withdrawal period and be given appropriate medications when and if they need it to help them cope with the withdrawal symptoms. Behavioral therapy is the next step in overcoming the addiction and reducing a person’s long-term risk of overdose. Here a patient will learn how to deal with stress and anxiety in healthy ways and how to alter their behavior to avoid drug abuse.

Relapse prevention strategies and post-treatment support groups can further help the person to maintain a drug-free lifestyle. Being a happy, productive member of society is the ultimate goal of treatment.

The best cocaine overdose prevention strategy is to find help today for your addiction or the addiction that a loved one is struggling with. The help you need is just a phone call or email away.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.