Do I Have A Cocaine Problem?
There’s a difference between abusing cocaine or using it recreationally as opposed to being labeled as the stigmatized term “cocaine addict”. Figuring out this difference is pretty key during the process of getting sober, so one can kind of gauge the correct set of actions to take in order to get clean. For instance, if somebody is a drug addict then rehab would be a highly recommended route because they’re going to require that extent of support while trying to get fully clean and change their lifestyle completely. Yet if the person who is trying to get sober only has an abuse issue, then maybe attending Alcoholics Anonymous would better suit their unique needs, or just talking one on one with some type of professional who can assist.
These are just some aspects to keep in mind and take into consideration when determining what specific route you’re going to take for your drug problem. Of course, the first step is getting clarity on what type of drug problem you have. Once you’re able to recognize what is particularly going on then you can take proper actions accordingly.
The Main Distinction: Spotting The Problem Correctly
A purely recreational habit of abusing cocaine is still a slippery slope and could easily lead one down the dark path of addiction. This point is probably what makes differentiating the line between recreational habit and addiction very difficult at times and you want to be careful in doing so correctly. The person may continuously wonder if they are in fact a cocaine addict and what to do. So let’s look at a cocaine habit that is purely recreational.
A purely recreational cocaine habit involves somebody who is only using and abusing the drug on occasion. Technically they aren’t an addict (yet). Catch my drift? In other words, they have somewhat of a drug problem yet it isn’t heavy. Either way it can very easily lead one down into a dangerous path of addiction. Someone can still function in their life, job and relationships yet still possess a cocaine problem like this. Just because the drug hasn’t ruined their life yet, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have extreme potential to do so at any moment. This is because using cocaine is very risky, and you’re left extremely vulnerable to becoming addicted simply because you’re doing it. That’s precisely how every addiction starts: with a recreational habit of using. So, it’s pretty clear that a recreational habit of using cocaine doesn’t necessarily put a dent on the user’s life. They can still continue to operate fine on a day to day basis, however this doesn’t change the fact that they have a problem either.
The mere fact that they keep using, no matter how randomly, shows that they are dealing with some internal battle by using the drug every so often. The internal battle could be that they aren’t happy or that they are stressed out and want a way to escape every so often. It could be that they don’t know how to have fun while socializing without using cocaine when they go out sometimes. Whatever the reason is, they simply can’t not use from time to time and so there has to be some problem they are trying to handle with the use of it. Over time, their internal perspective of the problem will grow and with that their habit will grow unless they find a way to deal with the problem otherwise. This is what makes even having a recreational habit a dangerous and susceptible position to be in. Now let’s look at the addict to compare both situations.
The cocaine addict is in a different position than the person who is just abusing the drug sometimes. The simple difference is that the addict is abusing the drug a majority of the time. In fact, they use cocaine as a crutch to get by. They are pinned to habitual using, a slave to it. There is no question as to whether or not they are hooked to cocaine, even they themselves know it deep down inside. A cocaine addiction looks a lot like someone who can’t stay away despite efforts to stay away from using. That problem mentioned earlier that a recreational user is dealing with is so burdensome with the addict that it kind of defines them. They eventually feel that they have no choice but to use. They pretty much have a misguided idea that they can’t even function without the drug. It’s a pretty unfortunate predicament to be in, yet it’s often underestimated that the recreational habit can often lead to this predicament.
The Bottom Line: What To Do And How To Approach The Problem
In either case, whether the person is dealing with a mere cocaine problem or whether they’ve embarked or are trapped in a full blown addiction, the thing to do is get help as soon as possible. If you’re dealing with a recreational habit, then it would be wise to either seek out a specialist you can talk to, enter an out-patient rehab program or join your nearest or most preferred Alcoholics Anonymous. If you’re a cocaine addict, then joining an in-patient rehab would probably be the best thing you could toward your recovery process. Although an out-patient rehab program could work just fine for a cocaine addict, in-patient is the safer route as you aren’t leaving anything to chance. Because you’re living in a fully drug-free environment you’re given the right ratio of space and protection in order to regain sobriety in a healthy but controlled way. Choosing something you feel suits your needs and makes sense for what you’re going through is important, because in the end your recovery is the only thing that matters. Go with your instinct, keeping a safe, full recovery in mind.
If someone you cares about has a cocaine problem or is a cocaine addict, the best thing to start with doing is getting into communication with them. Communicate gently, listen to what they have to say and make sure they understand that you’re trying to help them and want to see them achieve a state of recovery from whatever it is they’re going through. Find out what it is that lead them to using in the first place. Approach the subject of rehab in a gentle way, letting them know that you come from a place of loving care. Help them to understand and see that they’ve got a problem and what they could do to handle it.
In conclusion, cocaine is a dangerous habit and potentially very addictive. Informing someone of these facts could be very helpful down the line because of the many dangers of using. There are a lot of health risks involved with cocaine. It’s important the person becomes aware of these facts in order to prevent them from avoiding help. If they’re truly aware of the gravity of a cocaine addiction or habit, then they will more likely be willing to get the help that they need.
