If you find that you’re using cocaine and it’s affecting your work or relationships, or your health, you can get help to stop on the NHS. You’ll be asked lots of questions about your drug use and your health to make sure that you get the right treatment for you.

Cocaine is an addictive stimulant that produces its pleasurable effects by stimulating certain areas deep in the brain. These include the ventral tegmental area, or VTA; and the nucleus accumbens, or NAc, two areas involved in feeling pleasure and rewards. In the long term, cocaine can lead to addiction by causing changes in the chemistry of these areas.

People who develop a dependence on cocaine have a risk of developing serious mental and physical health problems. They can also experience withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop taking the drug.

Breaking Free: The Path to Cocaine Addiction Recovery

Some treatments for cocaine addiction include individual and group counselling. These sessions can last up to an hour and are usually conducted by a trained counsellor. Some programmes include cognitive behavioural therapy, which is a type of talking therapy that can be used to help treat addictions. It can teach you to recognise triggers and relapse warning signs and learn healthier ways to cope.

Some services also offer residential rehabilitation programs. These may involve staying in a supervised rehab centre where you’re not allowed to use cocaine. You’ll also be taught coping skills and how to deal with underlying issues that may have contributed to your addiction.