$Unique_ID{BRK00948}
$Pretitle{Community and Social Problems}
$Title{What Happens to a Person Who is Addicted to Cocaine and Tries to Stop?}
$Subject{cocaine withdrawal}
$Volume{Q-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Happens to a Person Who is Addicted to Cocaine and Tries to Stop?


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QUESTION:  A lot is written about the dangers of cocaine use, but I have seen
little that describes the problems that go with trying to stop.  What happens
to a person who is addicted to the stuff and then tries to stop?  If there are
any bad results, are there any treatments to help?

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ANSWER:  It sounds like you are seeking answers that will help you to an
important decision, and though I am going to provide some information for you
here, you are going to need much more, good advice, wise counsel, and someone
to help you through.  That means finding a family doctor or other physician
with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to assist you.  The problem
of cocaine abuse has really grown in the last 15 years, from 5.4 million
people reported to have tried it at least once back in 1974, to an estimated
30 million people in 1989.  While the physical dependence on cocaine is less
dramatic than with heroin and other drugs classified as opiates, the
psychologic dependence is severe.  This leads to withdrawal symptoms that can
affect both mind and body.  The most common and most serious is depression,
but muscle tremors, severe headache, ravenous hunger and a change in sleep
patterns are also frequent.  The symptoms of withdrawal usually begin rapidly,
within 24 to 48 hours after the last sniff of cocaine, and they can continue
for as long as seven days to week.  As yet there is no one specific method or
medication to help the patient, but medications which are useful in treating
other type of depression may also be helpful here, to relieve the symptoms and
help with lessening the disturbances of the sleep patterns.  It may mean a
period of time away from normal activities, but that is a decision for you and
your physician.  If you are really hooked, this is not a task to take on
without help, and you may need some additional help to get you started.  Try
the national hot line 1 800-COCAINE.  If it is busy when you call, don't quit
trying.  There are a lot of people seeking help these days, and you will
eventually get through to a most valuable source of valuable information and
help.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
