Teen Cocaine Treatment

In 2009, approximately 1.5 percent of teens in the 8th grade reported using some form of cocaine within the year. Of teens in their final year of high school, 12th grade, almost 5 percent had used cocaine. While it certainly is not the most common, cocaine is a drug that is too highly used among teenagers.  More alarming, it is one that is extremely dangerous and can be responsible for severe injury or death. And for those teens that become addicted to the drug, teen cocaine treatment is often the only way to prevent continued use.

Cocaine is a drug classified as a stimulant - a type of drug that increases a person's mood, energy, and alertness. When teens take the drug, they will experience what they call a high or a rush. Usually, these effects will last for around an hour. Although cocaine is not physically addictive, it is psychologically addictive. This means that teens can become addicted to the high they receive from the drug - some teens may depend on it so much that they cannot function regularly during the day without it.  Eventually, addiction leads to more frequent and stronger use of the drug, which increases the chance of heart attacks, organ failure, and breathing problems. With proper treatment, however, teens can kick their addiction and lead healthy lives.

What types of teen cocaine rehab are there?

The type of teen cocaine treatment that a teen will receive depends largely on the level of their addiction. For teens that have not become extremely dependent on the drug, outpatient centers or "self-help" programs can provide daily or weekly treatment while the teen is still at home. In this arrangement, teens will have regularly scheduled appointments in which they meet with doctors and therapists. Teens that have grown very addicted, on the other hand, may be referred to residential (inpatient) centers where they will live for anywhere from 20 days to 3 months. While in a residential teen cocaine treatment center, teens have no access to the drug, are under constant supervision, and can receive specialized treatment and counseling in a controlled setting.

How do I know that I or someone I know needs treatment?

It is difficult to determine whether or not a person needs treatment without getting professional advice. If you suspect yourself or someone else is addicted to cocaine, always consult with a professional for help. Doctors, drug therapists, and treatment centers can help you determine if and to what extent specialized teen cocaine treatment is needed.

What will happen if I or the person I know never receives cocaine rehabilitation?

Choosing to receive teen cocaine treatment is an extremely difficult decision. However, not getting treatment if you are truly addicted can be a problem. If you or someone you know is addicted to cocaine and does not receive treatment or help of any kind, use of the drug can sometimes continue for years. Extended cocaine use may eventually lead to organ failure, respiratory problems, and in extreme cases, death.