Cocaine Use Disorder Treatment in Connecticut

At Waterstone Addiction & Recovery Services, a leading outpatient addiction medicine practice in Connecticut, we diagnose and treat a wide range of substance use disorders including Cocaine addiction. Learn more about our treatments below, or schedule an appointment to begin your recovery journey and live better today.

What is Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD)?

Cocaine is a highly addictive, controlled stimulant drug that is typically used by snorting (insufflation), injection, or smoking in its freebase form (crack).

Cocaine increases the amount of dopamine, a chemical messenger, in the brain circuits responsible for movement and reward. In a healthy brain, dopamine is reabsorbed by the cell that released it, shutting off the signal between nerve cells. However, cocaine prevents this reabsorption, causing a buildup of dopamine in the gap between the cells and disrupting normal communication. This surge of dopamine in the brain’s reward system strengthens the desire to keep using the drug.

Over time, the reward system adapts to the excess dopamine and becomes less responsive to it. As a result, individuals need to take larger and more frequent doses to experience the same high they had initially and to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of Cocaine Use Disorder?

To satisfy the criteria for the diagnosis of cocaine dependence, only 3 of the following conditions must be present according to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition³:

• Developing tolerance to the euphoric effects of cocaine and requiring more drug to produce the desired effects.
• Stopping cocaine usually results in withdrawal symptoms (such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, agitation, or depression), and these symptoms can be relieved by using cocaine again.
• Using cocaine in large amounts whenever it is available. (Seldom do people save some for later.)
• Inability to successfully reduce the amount of cocaine one is using.
• Spending a great deal of time and energy obtaining and using cocaine, which isolates one from friends and family, and/or engaging in unlawful activities such as shoplifting, theft, burglary, or homicide to obtain money to buy cocaine.
• Inability to successfully maintain employment while using cocaine because of ineffectiveness at work, increased absenteeism, inability to hold a job, or inability to find work.
• Continually using cocaine despite knowing one will develop mental symptoms, such as paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions, and/or continually using cocaine despite medical consequences, such as weight loss, anemia, or seizures.

Cocaine Withdrawal

Individuals addicted to cocaine experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug. These symptoms can last for days, and in cases of long-term heavy use, they may persist for months. Withdrawal can begin even before all the cocaine has left the user’s system.

Unlike withdrawal from substances like heroin or alcohol, which are marked by visible symptoms like vomiting or shaking, cocaine withdrawal is less physically noticeable but can cause symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Increased appetite
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Depression
• Paranoia and suspicion
• Agitation
• Strong cravings for more cocaine

While cocaine withdrawal is generally not life-threatening, there are no FDA-approved medications to alleviate its effects. People experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms may require inpatient treatment or hospitalization during detox. Trying to detox at home can be risky, as severe withdrawal may lead to extreme depression, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts.

The initial phase of cocaine withdrawal is often referred to as “the crash” and typically lasts a few days. However, other symptoms, such as cravings, irritability, and low energy, may continue for weeks.

Cocaine Use Disorder Treatment

Since there is no specific medication to treat cocaine use disorder, treatment primarily focuses on behavioral interventions, including:

• Behavioral therapy: This approach helps individuals alter the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their cocaine use. Examples include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management, both of which are effective strategies for change.
• Support groups: Participating in support groups allowing you to connect with others facing similar challenges and receive guidance and motivation.
• Outpatient treatment: For individuals with less severe cocaine use disorder or those who have completed inpatient treatment, outpatient programs offer ongoing therapy and support while allowing individuals to live at home and manage daily responsibilities.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

If you believe you may be suffering from Cocaine Use Disorder, it is important to see a doctor who specializes in substance use disorder in order to properly diagnose and treat your condition. Call 203-826-1163 today, or schedule an appointment.