Adolescent Cocaine Addiction & Treatment

Teen cocaine abuse is a surprisingly common problem in the United States. While there are dozens of drugs that teenagers and adults abuse, few destroy lives as quickly as cocaine — with only heroin topping cocaine in distribution quantity and long term side effects.

Cocaine is a stimulant that often comes in the form of a white powder. It is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant and mixed with gasoline and solvents to create a substance that can be used intranasally, orally, or intravenously. Although it is a natural product, cocaine is incredibly potent and has a powerful effect on the central nervous system.

If your teen is struggling with cocaine abuse, an adolescent cocaine addiction treatment program can help them recover. Learn more about how we can help here. 

Types of Cocaine 

Cocaine comes in three principal forms: salt, freebase, and crack. Salt is the well-known powdered form that can be inhaled or dissolved in water for injection. Freebase is the smokable version of cocaine that has had the hydrochloride additive removed making it purer. It has a very low melting point and is no longer water-soluble.

Crack cocaine is the third and most lethal version of the three types. A waxy, rock-like substance, it is extracted from the powdered form with baking soda and heat. Crack cocaine is also inhaled — not used orally or intranasally. 

Side Effects Of Cocaine Abuse

As with any central nervous system stimulant, cocaine puts a lot of pressure on the heart. While it results in higher levels of energy and alertness, short term side effects may include extreme sensitivity to external stimuli, intense happiness, anger and irritability, paranoia, and decreased appetite. Long term users experience more intensive side effects like headaches, convulsions, mood problems, lung damage, bowel decay, loss of smell, frequent nosebleeds, and heart disease.

Overdosing on cocaine results in heart failure, as the heart cannot compensate for the elevated levels of hormones rushing through the bloodstream. About 50% of people who are diagnosed with heart failure will be dead within five years. They usually suffer from sudden cardiac arrest caused by a number of complications that range from a heart attack or arrhythmia to pulmonary embolism or stroke.

To ensure that your teen avoids these potentially severe consequences of cocaine abuse, getting them into a California cocaine addiction treatment program is critical.

Causes of Teen Cocaine Abuse

There is no single cause determining why adolescents abuse substances. We know that peer pressure, poor coping skills, and difficult emotions are contributing factors, but it’s especially important to know what keeps teenagers returning to this drug.

With cocaine, the high dopamine rush and elevated energy levels create strong feelings of excitement and euphoria, but there are also factors that make cocaine socially appealing. The fact that it is illegal can make it attractive to teens who want to rebel. In powder form, it is relatively expensive, which contributes to its allure as a luxurious or high-class indulgence. Some people use cocaine for its physical effects, and many teens report that their ability to focus is improved with cocaine use. Cocaine, like most dopaminergic stimulants, is also a strong appetite suppressant, making it an effective weight loss aid.

No matter why your teen has started to abuse cocaine, our adolescent cocaine addiction treatment program can help.

Signs & Symptoms

Worried about your teen’s cocaine use? Before reaching out for adolescent cocaine addiction treatment, look for the following signs and symptoms in your teen:

• Talkativeness
• Nervousness
• High Activity Levels
• Decreased Appetite
• Dilated Pupils
• Argumentative Behavior
• Paranoia
• Runny Nose or Excessive Sniffling

Our Adolescent Cocaine Addiction Treatment Program 

At Ascend, we have a dedicated residential facility specifically for adolescents who are dealing with drug addiction. Our team has years of experience working with teens who use drugs as a coping mechanism, and we teach them healthier ways to deal with their issues. Through our adolescent cocaine addiction treatment program, your teen can begin to heal. 

Reach out to our admissions team today at 310.388.3713 to learn more about the intake process and how we personalize our California cocaine addiction treatment plans for your child.