Medications that Can Treat Cocaine Addiction
Within the past few decades, medication as a treatment method for drugs and alcohol has become more commonplace. Cocaine addiction has traditionally been treated by attending 12 step meetings or counseling. There are now medications that have shown some success in treating the withdrawal, cravings, and negative side effects of cocaine addiction.
Common medications to treat cocaine addiction are Baclofen, N-Acetylcysteine, Antabuse, and Provigil. Baclofen is a muscle relaxer that also decreases cocaine cravings and reduces future cocaine use. Baclofen increases the neurotransmitter GABA in your brain, which has a calming effect.
N-Acetylcysteine is an amino acid that seems to repair the damage in the brain caused by chronic cocaine use. N-Acetylcysteine is available over the counter, but you should still consult with your medical provider before taking it.
Antabuse was originally meant for alcohol dependency by making the user violently ill if alcohol is consumed. Antabuse works similarly for cocaine addicts. Antabuse increases acetaldehyde in the body making the user feel physically ill when cocaine is taken.
Provigil encouraged proper sleep and decreases fatigue during the day. Unfortunately, this medication has potentially addicting qualities because it increases dopamine production. Dopamine is a feel good chemical in the brain, so this may be counter productive for a cocaine user.
As with any medication, these drugs could cause side effects. Side effects for these medications can include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness
Taking prescribed medication to help with withdrawal and early recovery does not make you weak or less committed to recovery. Every person is a unique individual. What works for some does not work for everyone. Make sure to talk not only to a medical provider, but also an addiction specialist to hear their perspective on taking medications for cocaine addiction.
The positive quality of these medications is that they make the withdrawal process more tolerable. The medications may also make early recovery easier to work through, because the medicine helps reduce cravings. You don’t want to become dependent on needing a medication to stay sober, so do your research and consult with sober peers or professionals before you make a decision.
Despite these positive benefits, working a treatment program is still the most efficient way to combat addiction. In fact, medical and addiction professionals acknowledge that these medications work best when combined with addiction treatment or individual therapy.
Recovery is different for everyone. Let Hired Power help you determine the path of recovery that is meant for you. Our goal is to help you bring recovery home, for good. Call us today for information on our services: 714-559-3919
