What is Cocaine?
Cocaine is one of the most addictive and dangerous of all substances. It is a stimulant with a very high risk of addiction. The risk of addiction is greater than that of heroin and tranquilizers.
When smoked, cocaine quickly enters the bloodstream, producing a feeling of euphoria that peaks within seconds. Its psychologically addictive effects can begin after just a few uses.
Intravenous and nasal use are the most dangerous ways to use it, as it quickly passes into the bloodstream.
What are the effects of cocaine?
* Continued use produces aggressive behavior and psychotic disorders resembling schizophrenia.
* It leads to crime and serious mental disorders. Cocaine, like other stimulants, increases alertness, makes one feel energetic, and suppresses hunger.
* Since nerve cells do not function properly, withdrawal symptoms such as depression and substance abuse occur.
* Repeated exposure to stimulants causes the person to feel restless and tense.
* Those who use very high doses of these substances can develop mental illnesses similar to paranoid schizophrenia, in which the person loses touch with reality.
* It has a high addictive effect and even using it once or twice can lead to a strong desire to take it again.
* It causes dilation of pupils, tremors, dry mouth, increased and irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, weight loss, fever, epileptic seizures and brain hemorrhage.
* High doses of cocaine cause death as well as many medical problems.
Cocaine Treatment
At Pembe Köşk Psychiatric Hospital, cocaine addiction treatment is provided in two ways: outpatient and inpatient. These treatments generally include psychological support alongside medical treatments. Whether patients undergo inpatient or outpatient treatment, effective treatment options are now available. Vanoxerine, in particular, is one of the most important current options in recent years. It is also commonly known as the “Cocaine Vaccine.” Vanoxerine Consta depot injection treatment is also administered to appropriate patient populations at our clinic.
Vanoxerine Consta Injection Treatment (Cocaine Vaccine)
Vanoxerine Consta (Vanoxerine extended-release injection) is used in our clinic as an effective option in the treatment of cocaine addiction.
Cocaine is a very addictive substance. Cocaine rapidly and briefly elevates dopamine in the brain circuits that control pleasure and movement, leading to addiction. Vanoxerine, on the other hand, causes a slow, long-lasting, moderate increase in dopamine. At the same time, vanoxerine weakens the addictive effect of cocaine, which further increases dopamine levels. Vanoxerine depot injections begin immediately after injection, preventing cocaine from affecting the addicted individual. Furthermore, unlike cocaine, vanoxerine does not have an addictive pleasure effect. Studies have shown that vanoxerine helps patients maintain consistent sobriety and prevents relapses in addicts. The drug is also well-tolerated and safe.
In our clinic, Vanoxerin Consta is available and used in doses effective for 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Prior to Vanoxerin Consta Injection Treatment, the addicted patient is evaluated by psychiatrists at Pembe Köşk Psychiatric Hospital, with the patient’s prior consent. Urine analysis must be free of cocaine. If no cocaine is detected in the urine, a trial dose of tablets is administered, and an efficacy check lasts approximately 30 minutes. Following these procedures, the injection is administered. At our hospital, Vanoxerin Consta is administered as an intramuscular depot injection in 3-month intervals, and treatment is generally planned for one year.
1- Outpatient Cocaine Treatment
Pink Mansion Psychiatric Hospital offers outpatient treatment for cocaine addiction, meaning it’s not an inpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment for cigarette addiction is available for those with smoking addiction who don’t have symptoms requiring hospitalization. Outpatient addiction treatment initially consists of 3 meetings per week for a period of 1 month. Patients can be admitted directly to the outpatient program. It can be applied after detoxification treatment, or directly to medical treatment and psychological support program in patients who do not require detoxification treatment. Outpatient treatment includes individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy and medication as well as other psychosocial support programs. Families are also informed and supported through interviews in the program. If 1 month of treatment is not enough, the program can be extended according to need and demand. Patients who are unsuccessful in the outpatient treatment program are provided with the opportunity to participate in the inpatient treatment program. If one month of treatment is not sufficient, the program can be extended as needed.
2-Inpatient Cocaine Treatment
Inpatient treatment programs are offered at Pembe Köşk Psychiatric Hospital for cocaine addicts, those who require intensive psychological rehabilitation and medication under the supervision of a medical doctor, or those who are unsuccessful in outpatient treatment.
During a minimum 21-day inpatient treatment program, under the supervision of specialists, the patient’s motivation for treatment is maintained through medication, and they undergo an intensive daily medical and psychological treatment program. Throughout the treatment, the patient is provided with one-on-one psychological consultations with a psychologist to address psychological issues. In addition to substance abuse treatment, daily medical treatments are administered by a medical doctor at our center, and patients are under 24-hour medical supervision.
The content of psychological interviews includes topics such as substance use history, substance effects, self-evaluation, addiction, high-risk situations, coping with the desire and urge to use substances, resisting insistence, coping with substance-related thoughts, coping with anger, and decision-making.
If the patient wishes, he/she can stay in the treatment center for a long time and benefit from psychological treatment and rehabilitation programs.
Rehabilitation Program:
After the initial 21-day detoxification treatment period, suitable patients are admitted to the rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation and psychosocial support programs are conducted for a minimum of 1 month and extend to 2 months, 3 months and 6 months. It is generally preferred that patients stay in the treatment center for at least 3 months.
In the inpatient program, patients participate in daily psychiatric consultation, individual psychological therapy, group therapy, occupational therapy, life skills training, activities such as walking, sports and spa, yoga and movie watching. In addition to all these treatment and rehabilitation program activities, families are also interviewed. Each patient has a psychiatric consultation throughout the day, individual and group therapy with 3 different psychologists, a psychological counseling session for life skills training, a medical doctor check-up for medical problems, and activity programs with experts for sports, hiking, spa and yoga programs. These applications are performed under the control of a doctor and nurse for 24 hours.
All-Day Rehabilitation Program
08:30-09.00 Starting the day and preparation
09.00-10.00 Breakfast
10.00-11.00 Good Morning Group Meeting
11.00-11.30 Coffee Break-Rest Time
11.30-12.30 Training Hour (life skills training)
12.30-13.30 Lunch
13.30-15.00 Occupational Therapy
15.00-16.00 Individual Psychological Interview
15.00-17.00 Psychiatric Interview
17:00-18:00 Sports (walking, swimming, etc.), Spa.
18.00-19.00 Dinner
20.00-22:30 Movie Time
In addition to this program and psychological interviews, family therapies are also provided.
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