10 Self-Help Tips For Cocaine Addiction Recovery

Cocaine is a recreational drug that targets and causes change in the brain cells. The mode of action of this substance can switch from a regular to addictive use. Once addicted to the drug, it is hard to quit.

The frequent use of cocaine is very costly concerning society. It creates a toll on a nation’s economy due to costs in crime related to drugs, health insurance as well as economic productivity.

There’s also indirect expenses in the use of cocaine. This includes:

•    cocaine addiction
•    accidents related to the use of the substance
•    suicide
•    hospitalization and rehabilitation
•    legal services
•    lost job opportunities

A UN report stated that there are over 20 million reported users of this drug. In average, a habitual user usually spends $100 a day for coke. Since it is illegal, the government doesn’t benefit from the business in cocaine, hindering the economic growth.

Cocaine addiction is very alarming since it poses more risks and disadvantages to all aspects of a person’s life including family, career, and health.

Health complications associated with cocaine overdose include:

•    seizure
•    heart and respiratory failure
•    stroke
•    cerebral hemorrhage

If you’re personally experiencing cocaine addiction or you know a family member or friend who regularly uses it, here are some self-help tips on how to recover from cocaine addiction:

1. Seek help from professionals

The most effective way to address cocaine addiction and recovering from it is through behavioral therapies. It has been proven that inpatient treatment such as Nexus Recovery Services is the best course to take when dealing with recovery from cocaine due to its addictive nature.

The program is usually customized depending on the needs of the patient. The structure is effectively designed by a group of individuals including doctors, counselors, therapists, and trained staff to ensure that it’s a holistic recovery approach. These professionals will help the patients get sober by offering advice and medical help to promote healing.

Rehab can be something confusing to go through. Users often go through rehab multiple times before they find the anchor they need to stay sober. If you want to give rehab another try, consider entering a rehab program that is not in your hometown. There are trusted drug rehab centers in Denver, Colorado that are ready and willing to help you get your life back on track.

2. Establish strong family relationships

One essential factor to a successful cocaine addiction recovery is through the help of the patient’s family. A strong support system should be provided by the family to aid the patient during the recovery process. This can be established by involving the family members in the patient’s treatment sessions. Awareness of the family members on the status of the patient should also be promoted to ensure that the patient is well taken care of even after the inpatient treatment or after the recovery to avoid relapse.

Showering love, concern and affection to the patient is the best way of helping and should be provided by the family. They should be the one fulfilling the emotional needs of the patient.

3. Keep cocaine paraphernalia away

Throwing out any items related to cocaine use is beneficial to a recovering patient. These items include:

•    Razor blades
•    Tin foil
•    Straw
•    Lighter

This way, the patient will forget the idea of cocaine use leading to a successful cocaine addiction recovery.

4. Practice a healthy lifestyle and eat a balanced diet

Addiction affects the normal functioning of the body, which leads to symptoms and illness due to poor nutrition, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and hormonal and electrolyte imbalances. The worst thing that can even happen is death. When implementing cocaine addiction recovery in the holistic approach, nutrition programs designed for recovery are introduced to the patient so that they won’t neglect their diet.

Incorporating healthy food with large proportions of fruits and vegetables are essential for the patient’s recovery. Proper diet and nutrition provide the patients with:

•    Sustained energy levels that result to productivity in their homes and workplaces
•    Boosts immune system and prevents the manifestation of infections
•    Promotes positivity and prevents mood swings
•    Improves mental health such as the ability to focus and think

5. Develop a routine

Old habits die hard but if you’re in an early recovery phase developing a routine is necessary to get you sober in no time.  A good routine is composed of healthy habits and activities that will keep the patient’s mind and body preoccupied.

Some activities that you can include when implementing a routine are:

•    Sleeping and waking habits
•    Socialization with family and friends
•    Exercise
•    Joining support groups

Developing a routine develops a sense of stability and normality for the patient.  It will also help the patient improve their organization skills and decision-making skills since the patients addicted to cocaine usually exhibit disorganization and poor decision making.

6. Learn to exercise

It’s crucial to address recovery by improving physical and mental health as well. These considerations are essential during recovery long term and preventing relapse. The best way to regain a patient’s physical health is through exercise.

Exercise results in the proper functioning of all the process in the body, and if coupled with adequate nutrition, illness and other negative symptoms related to cocaine use are treated naturally. It also helps the body to use energy more efficiently, therefore, enabling the person to accomplish his everyday tasks.

It also provides mental benefit by reducing stress and improving mood by delivering happy hormones that bring a positive outlook in life.

7. Get enough quality sleep

Addiction is usually associated by lack of sleep and prolonged alertness. This is harmful in the mental health of the patient. Often, it’s one of the symptoms that take longer to fix during a holistic recovery approach.

It’s not just enough for patients to get more hours of sleep but instead aiming for quality sleep since it’s more helpful in the patient’s physical and mental healing.

Having quality sleep provides the patient with the following benefits:

•    Reduces stress and depression
•    Improved immune system and responsiveness

Quality sleep can be achieved by:

•    Developing a regular sleeping habit
•    Exercising more during the day. Doing exercises at night may increase alertness that can make you awake longer.
•    Practicing meditation

8. Learn to be creative and discover other interests and passions

During recovery, patients need to have an outlet or a hobby that’ll keep both their mind and body preoccupied with other things instead of cocaine use. It’s been proven that patients engaging in art or learning something new like doing crafts and other handiwork have less chance of relapsing and are more successful in finishing their recovery program.

You can express yourself through art or poetry. You can also explore other activities that’ll aid you during your healing period and even the best chance to pursue your passion.

9. Tell your story

The recovery is the most difficult and challenging phase in almost all patients. During this phase, patients need a strong support system aside from their families. This can be achieved through group counseling and joining a rehab community. Knowing that you’re not alone in this challenging phase in your life will prevent more struggles and will develop your mentality that you can surpass this challenging task.

Telling your stories, as well as hearing stories from people who have similar experiences in cocaine use provides healthy socialization and communication skills to recovering patients. Sharing your experiences with others will provide support and motivation not just to you but also in other members of the support group. Attending weekly sessions and telling your stories to those with the same experiences as you will help you to track your progress in recovering from cocaine.

10. Forgive yourself and trust the process

One important thing to do when recovering from cocaine addiction is to forgive yourself for abusing your body and inflicting pain to it. This is one critical thing you should never forget since it’ll make or break your decision to recover from any addiction. Learning to love your body and appreciating your life and the people around you will bring you inner peace and will make you realize that you need to forgive yourself and start again. The best approach to do during your recovery is to give yourself a second chance to make it right.

Cocaine addiction recovery is never easy and is a long process. Learning to be patient and appreciating your improvements, even if it’s small, is helpful to sustain the process long term. Trust the entire recovery and the processes involved and don’t give up.

Conclusion

Recovery from any addiction is challenging but is possible for anyone. It’s like a puzzle, which contains a lot of pieces. A holistic approach where physical, emotional, and mental needs should be well taken care of. It’s a long process and consists of many steps but with a proper attitude, structured sober living environment and strong support from family and friends, the patient will be successful in recovering from cocaine addiction. As early as now, the fact that you have decided on quitting and learning how to stop cocaine addiction is already a great leap in your way to recovery. Don’t waste your future by getting addicted to cocaine, instead, think on how to enjoy every moment of it and how to make it better.