When large doses of cocaine are taken for long periods of time the user will most likely have at least some of the following symptoms:
- Sweating more than normal
- Abnormally fast breathing
- Extreme heart rate
- Hearing things
- Elevated body temperature
- Nasal ulcers
- Irritability
- Paranoia
- Restlessness
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Ideally it is good for the people around the cocaine user to pick up on the signs of cocaine use and to help the user get drug rehabilitation as soon as possible. The drug is so addictive and users will need more and more to feed the addictive craving. The fact that the intensity to need the drug is so strong makes this a very scary addiction. Help is needed quickly.
Some treatment methods that can be used to help a user prevent furthering the addiction and leading to over dose are:
- Behavior modification - Most therapists will tell you that it is helpful to put a new habit in the place of an old one. So, drug users in therapy may explore new hobbies or patterns that will help them avoid falling into the old habit. Along with behavior modification the addict needs as much support from friends and family as possible.
- Residential treatment centers - An addict may find that it is best to leave their current surroundings and peer group and seek residential treatment. It is important for an addict to discover what their triggers are that make them want to use the drug and then to avoid those triggers or create thought processes and behaviors to get past the feeling of needing the high from the drug.
Right now there are no pharmaceutical drugs to help cocaine users get past their addictions. There are several being studied that scientists hope will aid the process in the future. Until then intense therapy, support and behavior modification are really what there is to help an addict.
