What is the cocaine detoxification process like?

A summary about the detoxification process of cocaine, one of the most consumed drugs.

Cocaine is probably the most consumed non-legal drug in the western world, and the one that moves the most money. It is not by chance: it is one of the most addictive drugs, and it is also consumed in a wide variety of contexts, including work-related settings.

However, cocaine is also a very harmful substance for the organism, capable of causing great physical, psychological and social wear and tear. For this reason, in this article we will see a summary about what the cocaine detoxification process consists of..

The nature of cocaine dependence

Cocaine is a substance whose effects on the nervous system produce a feeling of euphoria and general activation of the brain's functions.This helps it to be consumed in festive and leisure contexts as well as in the workplace.

In fact, there are social circles composed of professionals who have relatively normalized the use of cocaine in order to (in theory) perform sufficiently, as a consequence of too hard working conditions.

As the act of using cocaine becomes part of a person's daily life and becomes a habit, the way in which this substance interacts with neurons causes the structure of the brain to change, making the consumption of that drug become the priority and, little by little, the and, little by little, the only source of satisfaction.

In addition, as indirect consequences of this modification in the nervous system and consumption habits, the person is also more exposed to the risk of developing other types of addictions, especially alcoholism.

Thus, the cocaine detoxification process must break this vicious circle by encouraging a change in behavior and contexts to which to expose oneself, among other things. Let us see in more detail how this can be contributed to by health professionals who are experts in addictions.

The cocaine detoxification process, step by step

These are the main elements of cocaine detoxification treatment in a professional treatment context.

1. Very short-term goal setting

The first hours of the detoxification process are crucial, because they establish the degree of commitment to therapy.

In this initial phase, we try to get the person to break with his old consumption dynamicsThis is achieved, among other things, by setting very concrete short term goals; having the feeling that in a very short time they can reach their goals in a very short period of time. This is achieved, among other things, by setting very specific short-term goals; having the feeling that in a very short time one of the goals of the detoxification process can be reached motivates more and makes it less likely that the person will throw in the towel.

2. Work on self-esteem

In therapy, we also work from psychology to reinforce the person's self-esteem, making them question the beliefs that play against their own autonomy and empowerment.. This makes patients believe more in their possibilities of detoxification.

3. Training in the detection of self-sabotaging thoughts.

It is important that people who are detoxing from cocaine learn to detect early the thoughts that can lead to the temptation to relapse. early detection of thoughts that may lead to the temptation to relapse.. This is especially crucial in the case of drugs such as cocaine, which are used in a wide variety of contexts.

4. Monitoring the process

Health professionals are not the only ones who monitor the patient's processes; it also helps the patient to be able to look back and recognize his or her improvements, to see what he or she has been able to achieve and to learn what has worked best and worst.

And after detoxification?

It should be kept in mind that detoxification is only one of the phases of what is involved in leaving an addiction behind.Once this has happened, health professionals continue to offer support for other, slightly different types of goals, although also related to living outside the source of dependence. However, it is probably the most important, because it is the first great victory for the person, and overcoming it shows that he or she is capable of living outside the drug, having overcome it at a time when it was very hard to stop using it.

Are you looking for addiction support?

If you are interested in overcoming an addiction to cocaine or any other type of substance, or a non-substance dependence phenomenon (pathological gambling, video game addiction, etc.), you can contact our professionals. At CITA Clinics we specialize in addictive disorders, and we offer both medical and psychotherapeutic treatment. Puedes encontrarnos en nuestros centros de Barcelona y Dosrius (Mataró), o ver más información sobre nosotros en esta página.

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