Cocaine is a very addictive drug, a stimulant, which increases one's alertness, attention, and energy while having a myriad of  side effects. It comes from the coca plant, native to South America, having other names such as coke, crack, rock, snow, among others, coming in different forms, including a fine, white powder or solid rock crystal.  It is illegal in the United States
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There are different ways to take cocaine. One can snort the fine, white powder into their noses, rubbing it into the gums, or dissolving it in water to inject the liquid using a needle. Other times, the rock crystal is heated to breathe the smoke.

After inhaling or consuming cocaine, the drug will then send very high levels of dopamine, which is a natural chemical messenger in the body, into the parts of your brain controlling your pleasure. This is what would cause intense feelings of alertness and energy, also known as feeling high. 

Cocaine affects people differently. Some report feeling a good high, such as feelings of intense euphoria. Others report feeling anxiety or pain, even experiencing hallucinations. 

Either way, the buildup of dopamine is the reason why people misuse cocaine to the point of abuse and/or dependence. The body is wired to fulfill the craving for that dopamine. Cocaine changes the neurochemistry, which leads to a substance use disorder. Satisfying this craving only increases the risk of the long term effects of cocaine abuse. That is why cocaine is very addictive and illegal.

So while you might think the higher levels of dopamine is a great feeling, this is only a short-term effect. The "high" feeling is intense yet short-lived, and once you are "back to normal", you may end up feeling the exact opposite. One may experience intense depression, lack of sleep and appetite, increased heart rate, convulsions, and muscle spasms. 

Cocaine users might also feel angry, anxious, hostile, and/or paranoid, even when they aren't using the drug at that time. It leaves them wanting more of the drug as an attempt to evade such negative feelings and emotions
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• Permanent damage to heart and brain blood vessels
• Organ damage, including the kidney, liver, and lungs
• High blood pressure, increasing the chances of heart problems
• Respiratory failure if cocaine was smoked
• Destruction of nose tissue if cocaine was sniffed
• Infectious diseases and/or abscesses if cocaine was injected
• Weight loss and malnutrition
• Tooth decay
• Sexual problems and infertility
• Experiencing hallucination, delirium, depression, or psychosis
• Cocaine dependence and addiction even after taking it once

This is just the start to list all of the side effects. Continual usage and increasing to higher doses of cocaine can lead to a cocaine overdose, heart attack or other life-threatening medical emergencies. If you or someone know you exhibits these side effects and are high dose cocaine users, they should seek treatment immediately.

Wrapping It Up
Cocaine has very serious side effects, especially when taking it in large amounts and for a long time. It may even cause death from overdosing on the drug.

If you or someone you know struggles with a cocaine addiction, then do reach out to a medical professional for help and intervention immediately.

Inspiration can come from a number of sources.  As a motivation during the struggle against addiction, it can help to think of these sayings from different perspectives or to meditate on some of them that seem particularly pertinent.

1. The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. – Ernest Hemingway

When battling addiction it is important to remind yourself that our world is complicated and can wear on you. Keep focusing on rebuilding to gain new strength.

2. If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. – Vincent Van Gogh

3. People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily. – Zig Ziglar

4. Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, ‘I’m possible!’– Audrey Hepburn
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5. Believe you can and you are halfway there. – Theodore Roosevelt

6. Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear. – Mark Twain


7. My recovery must come first so that everything I love in life doesn’t have to come last.


8. No matter what the situation is, remind yourself “I have a choice.”

9. I avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward. – Charlotte Brontë

10.  An over-indulgence of anything, even something as pure as water, can intoxicate. – Criss Jami

11. The goal isn’t to be sober. The goal is to love yourself so much that you don’t need to drink.

12. People become attached to their burdens sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them. – George Bernard Shaw

13. I am not defined by my relapses, but by my decision to remain in recovery despite them
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14. Great acts are made up of small deeds. – Lao Tzu

15. If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking. – Zen proverb

16. Recovery is about progression not perfection.
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17. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. – Confucius 


18. Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. – Henry Ford
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19. If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else. – Yogi Berra

20. Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

21. Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. – Mahatma Gandhi

22. The best way out is always through. – Robert Frost

23. Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength. – Napoléon Bonaparte

​24. Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. – Albert Einstein
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25. Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them – every day, begin the task anew. – Saint Francis de Sales

26. No other road, no other way, no day but today.  – Jonathan Larson

27. Recovery is not a race. You don’t have to feel guilty if it takes you longer than you thought it would.
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28. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

29. It always seems impossible until it’s done. – Nelson Mandela

If you have ever wondered if you have a binge eating disorder, a Binge Eating Disorder Quiz can help you better identify your symptoms. Shortened as BED, this is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) as eating a larger amount of food compared to what the typical person consumes during similar periods and/or situations. This is one of the common eating disorders in the United States, with 3% of adults having BED, which is twice more than Americans diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia combined!

It is important to get treated for BED if you suspect that you suffer from its symptoms. This is crucial to do, so you are able to find preventative measures before it reaches a serious level. If you’re a bit hesitant or unable to head to the doctor for a diagnosis yet, then you may want to start with taking a binge eating disorder quiz.

A binge eating disorder quiz can help you recognize the presence of the disorder, which is the first step in getting the right treatment you need.
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A binge eating disorder quiz is a test with questions related to life experiences that are common to those who are diagnosed with a binge eating disorder. These questions are also based on diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). 
You can expect these kinds of questions:

1. “Do you eat more food than what you planned?”
2. “Do you consume large amounts of food even when you don’t feel hungry?”
3. “Are you always thinking about food, your body image, or weight?”
4. “Are you ashamed of being fat or obese, or by how much you eat?”

And more.
The answers are fairly simple, and each test differs. You may be asked to answer simple “yes or no” questions, or have the options of answering:

• Never
• Rarely 
• Sometimes
• Often
• Very Often

Answering this in detail will help you to determine if you MAY have an eating disorder. 
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If you want to find a formal binge eating disorder quiz, you can usually find them online with various rankings of severity, but if you recognize many of the symptoms in yourself, meeting with a psychiatrist is in your best interest.  ​Wrapping It Up-The Binge Eating Disorder Quiz is helpful in recognizing any patterns or symptoms you may have, but take note that this is not an official diagnostic tool. This is recommended to take if you are concerned if you or someone close to you may have an eating disorder, so you are able to know what next steps to take. 

If you take the various online quizzes, this does not necessarily mean that you are diagnosed with a binge eating disorder. This is only a baseline to find out if you will need to seek an evaluation from a medical professional. It is best to check with your doctor if you suspect you or a loved one has a binge eating disorder to get proper treatment.

​I hope that this article about the binge eating disorder quiz gave insight into what this is all about and what you can do about the results. 

Share your tips and stories regarding your binge eating journey in the comments. 

Patients who suffer from alcohol use disorder (AUD) have a higher risk of losing control over when or how much you drink. They may also feel restless and irritable when they are not able to drink alcohol and have a tendency to continue using alcohol even when it begins to affect their health adversely.
Hence, there is a need for an alcohol assessment so that appropriate medical intervention can be recommended to the patient.

What is an alcohol assessment? 
The first step to receiving proper treatment for alcoholism is to recognize and accept that you have an alcohol use disorder. Most people find it difficult to escape the addiction as they are in denial about the true nature and extent of their alcohol intake. However, if you want to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life, gaining independence from alcohol addiction is vital.

An alcohol assessment could be the first step towards this goal. Here are some symptoms that indicate a higher intensity of alcohol addiction and the need for prompt medical treatment.

Waking up at night 
If you wake up at night frequently to pass urine, it could be due to the increased consumption of alcohol.

Our body produces an anti-diuretic hormone that induces the kidneys to produce less volume of urine at night so that you do not have to go to the toilet frequently. However, alcohol can suppress the secretion of the anti-diuretic hormone, making your kidneys produce more urine due to which you have to get up at night frequently. [1]

Dryness 
Alcohol can dehydrate the body causing dryness of the skin and eyes. If you experience dry patches over your eyes the next morning, it could be a sign of excessive consumption. [2]

Poor sleep patterns 
Alcohol can interfere with the quality and duration of your sleep. It may prevent you from falling asleep causing an increase in the sleep latency period.
It can also prevent you from entering the deep phase of sleep called the REM phase. As a result, you will wake up feeling unrefreshed and drowsy. [3]

Impaired memory 
Alcohol can impact the cognitive functions of the brain. When consumed in excess, it may also affect your ability to recall any information or new skills you have learned. It can reduce your short-term memory to a great extent. [4]

Blackouts are also a common phenomenon linked to excessive alcohol consumption. Most heavy drinkers tend to lose track of what happened the previous night once they sober up. If you experience these symptoms frequently, there is a need to undergo proper medical treatment and counseling for alcohol addiction. [5]

Conclusion
An Alcohol assessment by a doctor can help you determine the extent of alcohol addiction or dependence. This will give you an idea of the amount or frequency of alcohol you consume, its adverse impact on your life, and how it has affected your personal life, career, and general well-being.

It will help you take the right steps toward alcohol treatment and improve the chances of successful outcomes.  Call us at 281-849-4080 to schedule an alcohol assessment with one of our board certified psychiatrists.

​References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826793/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5075667/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2775419/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15303630/
5. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/alcohol-abuse-self-test#1

I think we can all agree that:
 
Finding the BEST addiction treatment program is nearly impossible. You search for addiction treatment near me but just can't find the right place.
 
Or is it?
 
As it turns out, treating addiction is MUCH more effective when all of the care is customized to each patient.  It seems obvious right?  The problem is that this rarely ever happens, even when addiction centers make this claim.
 
So how is healthcare effectively customized?
 
It starts with careful planning to ensure top quality care from every aspect of treatment.  I will explain this in detail below. 
 
The treatment facility and all associated medical professionals play vital roles.  The location and treatment amenities must be energizing and motivating, but the quality of staff are even more important. 
 
Let’s start with therapists.  The American Psychological Association has agreed that the ability to bond or form a quality therapeutic alliance is one of the most important characteristics of a therapist.  While really good therapists can achieve this bond with a vast majority of patients, there are plenty of average therapists and difficult patients that will struggle to build an effective level of rapport.  This is particularly problematic within an inpatient addiction center as many facilities will not allow patients to choose their therapist.  Patients are assigned a therapist, and it is often impossible to switch, despite having a poor or non-existent therapeutic alliance.  This in itself can result in failed addiction treatment.  Therapists also have varying levels of expertise with each psycho-therapeutic modality.  Different modalities include cognitive therapy, interpersonal therapy, habit reversal therapy, etc.  Outpatient addiction treatment allows patients to determine the type of therapy used and an associated therapist with expertise in that treatment area.
 
While a therapeutic bond is important, addiction patients also need therapists with appropriate training.
 
That last sentence seems self-explanatory, but it isn’t.  Many addiction treatment facilities utilize licensed chemical dependency counselors (LCDC’s).  Quality LCDC’s are quite effective at teaching skills that support sobriety, and they have a strong role within the addiction field.  These chemical dependency counselors are very beneficial when utilized correctly, but they often aren’t.  LCDC’s should work effectively with licensed professional counselors (LPC’s) in addiction settings.  Quality LPC’s are not only trained in addiction but also in a broad range of therapeutic techniques to treat all mental health disorders. 
 
The ability to provide counseling across the spectrum of mental illness is vital to comprehensive addiction treatment.  The percentage of addiction patients with a serious mental illness ranges from 30-60%, depending on the research study that you read.  Pay attention to the bolded word above – serious.  The majority of the remaining patients without a serious mental illness experience a lower degree of symptoms or mental flaws that could benefit from counseling.  Actually, it is my opinion that we could all benefit from quality counseling. 
 
Treatment for addiction should thus include dedicated treatment with a LPC or even more experienced - PhD level therapist.  Many addiction treatment centers do not include such highly trained therapists or do not have enough to support the volume of patients.
 
In my experience, individual counseling with a LPC should start with 2-3 sessions/week for at least 3 weeks before decreasing frequency.  Patients need to build a firm foundation in therapy, so that the techniques can be practiced effectively outside of appointment times.  Relapses should prompt more frequent treatment.  Few inpatient centers will provide this level of care. 
 
Effective counseling is one of the most important aspects of addiction, but medication management is also vital for those requiring medical detoxification or treatment of a serious mental illness.
 
Medication management is typically the realm of a physician.  Any physician trained in addiction should be able to properly detox a patient and significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms.  Proper detoxification does not eliminate the risk of seizures or other side effects, but it does significantly reduce the severity and likelihood of complications.  Even with minimizing risks, some patients will encounter complications that may require medical hospitalization.  Many patients can be safely detoxed in an outpatient setting, but certain risk factors (like past withdrawal induced seizures) may require an inpatient center for 24/7 monitoring.
 
Detoxification is just the start of medication management.  As I mentioned earlier, 30-60% of patients with addiction have a comorbid serious mental illness.  The only type of physician well trained in identifying and treating the full range of mental illness is a psychiatrist, but not all addiction physicians are psychiatrists.    
 
Ideally, addiction patients in an inpatient setting should see an addiction physician (psychiatrist or not) for an initial evaluation to manage detoxification.  Once detoxification is complete, an evaluation should be scheduled with a psychiatrist to identify and manage any mental health issues.  The problem is that insurance companies will generally not pay for 2 evaluations during the same admission or with the same physician.  To obtain this level of care, the patient must utilize separate physicians for detox and a later psych evaluation or pay cash.  Insurance companies expect the initial detox evaluation to include all relevant mental health information.  The people making these decisions at insurance companies have obviously not attempted to perform a thorough psychiatric evaluation on someone experiencing substance withdrawal.  Imagine trying to obtain a detailed mental health history on someone with acute appendicitis.  It can’t be done well.  The same could be said for someone going through acute withdrawal and trying to accurately present a life history. 
 
Beyond having the proper personnel in LCDC’s, LPC’s, and a psychiatrist for individual sessions, most treatment facilities include group therapy.  Group therapy is led by a therapist, but peers are generally allowed to share their experiences.  While some peers will provide valuable support and additional sobriety skills, others can be disruptive.  I’ve seen many pleasant people leave group settings demoralized because of a peer’s behavior.  The counselor leading the group should be able to quickly enforce rules and boundaries.  Unfortunately, this is another area where insurance companies interfere with quality treatment.  Treatment facilities may not receive reimbursement if patients are not attending groups, so counselors often provide too many chances to the offender at the detriment of the group.  Another alternative would be having separate groups based on personalities, but this requires additional staff that facilities often cannot afford.
 
Individual therapy is not interchangeable with group therapy.  Insurance companies do not agree here either.  Many addiction treatment centers continue to use group therapy as the main source of counseling as it is more cost-effective.  This cost-cutting is to the detriment of the patient.  Individual counseling is a necessity to identify personal maladaptive behaviors, treat co-morbid conditions, and encourage individual growth.  Sadly, many treatment centers provide less than 1 individual therapy session/week.  Infrequent therapy is ineffective therapy.
 
Counseling and medication management are major aspects of addiction treatment, but there are other smaller considerations that can contribute to effective care. 
 
The environment and facility amenities significantly contribute to effective addiction treatment through elevating morale and maintaining motivation.  Between physician appointments, group therapy sessions, individual therapy, and other treatment modalities, there is a lot of concentration and personal growth packed into each day.  Over the course of 30-90 days, you can imagine how difficult it must be to continually stay motivated and focused.  This is less of a problem with outpatient addiction treatment as patients can maintain their hobbies and activities.  At inpatient centers, there should be enough fun activities, amenities, and exercise equipment to re-energize and relax from the intensity of each day.  Few provide many amenities, and the result is irritable patients that provide less than ideal effort.  Without sustained effort, treatment is less likely to be effective.