You’ve probably heard by now that drug abuse and addiction is an epidemic in this country. Almost half of all Americans have a friend or family member who is or was an addict.
On a brighter note, abuse rates of some drugs are falling. Among them is cocaine. Less than one million people in the US are believed to be addicted to cocaine.
What do you do if you think someone you love is using cocaine? How can you be sure?
We’ll tell you about some signs in the paragraphs below. If you can, and happen to live nearby, convince your loved one to go to cocaine rehab in Florida.
1. Excitability
One of the first things you may notice when looking for signs of cocaine us is increased energy and excitement. This is owing to the effect cocaine has on the dopamine levels in our brains. Dopamine is a chemical that regulates our sense of joy and reward.
Cocaine is a stimulant, meaning that it causes these levels to elevate. Other, legal drugs, such as caffeine and antidepressants, function the same way.
However, these substances are different in a few keyways. Antidepressants work over the course of several weeks, giving the body time to adjust. Caffeine works almost immediately, but isn’t strong enough to cause a high.
A cocaine high is quick and intense. The user may be overjoyed and hyperactive. In some cases, they may have some twitches or tics.
2. Dilated Pupils
You may have heard that drugs do really strange things to the pupils of our eyes. This is true, but the whole story is a bit weirder. Some drugs will shrink our pupils while others will make them expand.
This has to do with how drugs affect our brain. For instance, stimulants, such as cocaine, often make the pupils expand.
Before you check anyone into cocaine rehab, in Florida or elsewhere, it should be said that dilated pupils are no guarantee. Cocaine can cause your pupils to expand, but so can other substances, many of which are perfectly legal.
For instance, a person on SSRI’s, a form of antidepressant, might show the same symptom. The original function of pupil expansion is to absorb light in darkness, causing our eyes to adjust, so you should also make sure the person hasn’t just walked out of a dark place.
3. Strange Sleep Patterns
It’s not uncommon for people with cocaine addiction to stay awake for long periods of time. If the person you’re concerned about seems to be developing a sudden case of insomnia, they may have a cocaine problem.
Again, insomnia by itself doesn’t mean anything, but coupled with some of the other symptoms, it should raise a few alarms.
Cocaine Rehab in Florida
There are a lot of potential symptoms that could indicate cocaine use. We didn’t have time to go over all of them, so we encourage you to do more research on your own. Everybody presents a little differently, so don’t dismiss suspicions just because one of them isn’t there.
If you ever need to help someone struggling with addiction, please look into rehab. Cocaine rehab in Florida is some of the best out there, if you’re willing to go there.
We at Transformations by the Gulf are big believers in boating therapy. Believe it or not, it really works, and you can learn more about it on our website.
Seeking Treatment with Transformations by the Gulf?
If you or a loved one needs treatment and rehabilitation for substance use, Transformations by the Gulf can help.
Transformations by the Gulf offers individualistic and holistic recovery services. We designed our inpatient and outpatient programs to treat individuals based on biological, psychological, familial and social needs.
Our residential homes and treatment facilities are near the beach and offer a comfortable setting for rehabilitation. If you or a loved one needs help, contact Transformations by the Gulf to learn more about our recovery services.
If you are ready to start planning your treatment process, give us a call. (727)498-6498
According to ThreeBestRated.com Transformations By The Gulf is one of the leading addiction treatment centers in the local community. Transformations By The Gulf is one of the Three Best Rated Addiction Treatment Centers in St Petersburg, FL.