Battling Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine is an insidious and highly addictive stimulant drug that directly affects the brain. Cocaine is nothing new, and has been used for thousands of years. With an extreme potential for abuse, cocaine is generally taken in liquid form through a vein or sniffed into the nose as a powder. Cocaine in its "freebase" form can also be smoked. In addition to being highly toxic and destructive to brain cells and body function, cocaine, when sold on the streets, is mixed with ingredients such as sugar, cornstarch, talcum powder, and other drugs that may cause devastating effects, stroke, heart attack, and death.

Crack cocaine is one of the most popular forms of the drug today, and refers to the drug after it has been processed from its hydrochloride form through processing with baking soda, water and ammonia and then heated to remove the hydrochloride to a smokable substance. The drug makes a cracking or crackling sound when smoked, hence the name. Individuals smoking cocaine experience its effects in less than 10 seconds, and because it is relatively inexpensive to buy as well as to produce is one of the most popular street drugs.

Types of Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Several approaches to treating cocaine addiction offer  treatment plans with varying levels of effectiveness for individuals. The success of any cocaine addiction treatment plan depends on the determination and desire of addicted individuals to quit. Like alcoholism, cocaine addiction is a condition that may follow an individual through his or her lifetime, requiring them to live in a perpetual state of rehabilitation and recovery. 

Pharmacological - treatment of cocaine addiction may involve use of traditional drugs as well as new medications. Such treatment approaches may last anywhere from two weeks to two years, and are often performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Most treatments last between 30 and 90 days.

Pharmacological or drug treatment of cocaine addiction involves long-term aftercare and support. The use of drugs to treat cocaine addiction is and will continue to be a controversial topic. Drugs used to fight cocaine addiction are designed to help patients abstain from cocaine use and prevent relapses. Common drugs used in the treatment of cocaine addiction include but are not limited to:

• Topamax
• Propranolol
• Modafinil

Cocaine detox - designed to treat physical addiction symptoms first, followed by mental treatment addressing addiction. The detox approach includes body detox to reduce and halt cravings, followed by cognitive treatment developing life skills strategies and therapies to overcome addictive cravings and behavior.

Cocaine detox generally employs a variety of holistic as well as physical and mental approaches to battle cocaine addiction. Detoxification is the process where toxins are flushed from the body, and can be achieved through purification, body cleansing, and total withdrawal from cocaine. Vitamins, exercise, and emotional therapy often combine with detoxification processes to rid the body of the drug prior to physical and mental treatments focusing on addictive behaviors and abuse.

Behavioral intervention is essential in long-term treatment of cocaine abuse and are commonly known as the most effective, available and affordable treatment approaches to not only cocaine abuse, but other drug problems. Drug treatment programs customized and individualized for each patient provide the most effective approach to long-term treatment for cocaine addiction.

Benefits of Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Success rates for long-term treatment, rehabilitation and recovery from cocaine addiction range between 3% and 75%, depending on the individual, severity of habitual use as well as the type of cocaine addiction treatment chosen based on need. When combined with psychological support, guidance, counseling and drug therapies, cocaine addiction treatment often offers individuals greater control over their life and environment, tools to resist the temptation of addiction, and restores improved ability to cope, relate to others, and to maintain jobs and relationships.

How Much does Cocaine Addiction Treatment Cost?
In the United States, treatment of cocaine addiction can range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. Medical insurance does not cover the cost of drug addiction treatment plans, which may range in duration from weeks to months to years, depending on the individual.  However, individuals seeking drug addiction treatment at international rehab and drug addiction treatment facilities around the world find affordable, private and effective treatments at enormous cost savings, even after the cost of transportation is considered.

Who Performs Cocaine Addiction Treatments?
Drug rehab facilities should offer fully licensed, accredited, certified and experienced physicians and counseling support staff that may include psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychotherapy experts and specialists. Medical professionals as well as support staff should be certified and accredited in their country or region and belong to national drug rehabilitation services, organizations, or associations.