How to Treat a Crack Addiction

June 12, 2017

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There are various substances that individuals can become addicted to, and each of these can potentially require different methods to best treat them. Each substance may need separate detox or behavioral intervention methods. For instance, one drug that many are addicted to is crack cocaine, and there are certain best practices for addressing this type of addiction through crack addiction treatment.

The first step to addressing an addiction to crack cocaine is detoxification. Crack cocaine may not produce the particular type of physical dependency that a multitude of other substances do, but it can have heavy physical effects. And while the physical withdrawal period may not be as severe as some other substances, it can be still quite intense. Crack affects the reward center of the brain, and when the high wears off, a person is often left feeling quite low or depressed.

The withdrawal symptoms of crack can include:

  • Intense cravings
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Sleep difficulties/insomnia
  • Nightmares

Unfortunately, there is not really any medication that can be provided for crack withdrawal, like there is with several other substances. But, there has been research and studies that found some medications have shown to be of some potential benefit. For instance, an anti-anxiety medication called Buspirone has displayed some success in helping to curb the withdrawal symptoms of cocaine addiction. The withdrawal symptoms that a person experiences can vary based on several factors, such as length of use, and how much they were using regularly.

Types of Treatment for Crack Cocaine

While detox is, of course, an extremely vital first step in the path to recovery, it is far from the only necessary action in crack addiction treatment. After detox, it is advised that an individual then receives behavioral addiction therapy, which is where they will really begin to address the causes and underlying issues of the addiction.

There are a couple different formats of addiction treatment that an individual can attend, these being:

  • Inpatient – Inpatient programs tend to be much more successful than other types of programs. This is where an individual will live at the treatment center, typically for around 30-90 days. It provides a space where they can completely concentrate on their crack addiction treatment, and where temptation is severely limited.
  • Outpatient – This is where an individual will remain in their normal day to day environment while they receive treatment. They will attend the facility on an appointment basis. The frequency of the appointments could vary depending upon the center and the severity of the addiction, as it could be every week, several times a week, or daily. While the idea of remaining in one’s normal setting can be appealing, it can also make treatment more difficult. The person’s typical environment could be full of temptation, substances, or triggers. All of these factors can potentially lead to relapse if the person cannot properly handle them. But, this is not to say that no one has overcome their crack addiction through outpatient, as there are many that have.

When Seeking Addiction Rehabilitation

While an addiction to any substance can be absolutely horrendous to deal with, it is far from impossible to overcome. Through comprehensive addiction treatment, a person can come to understand and break free of their addiction. There is a multitude of different types of treatment centers and modalities across the country that can help an individual to do this. Because of the large amount of options that are out there, it can sometimes make it difficult to know which one to choose. This is where New Beginnings can be of great help. Our organization is here to help find the perfect fit in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation center for you or your loved one. Take the first steps toward a new and sober life and give us a call today.

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