Every year in the United States, millions of individuals grapple with cocaine misuse and its devastating effects. In 2019 alone, approximately 5.5 million people aged 12 and older used cocaine, and 1 million struggled with a cocaine use disorder, including 250,000 young adults (18–25) and 756,000 adults (26+). In California, cocaine ranks among the most commonly abused illicit drugs, accounting for about 14 percent of treatment admissions, with 7.2 percent of the population using it recreationally. Within Los Angeles County, 6.8 percent of admissions to treatment centers are for cocaine abuse. Despite these unsettling statistics, only a fraction of those affected receive the professional help they need: only about 12 percent of Californians with a drug addiction obtain treatment, and disturbingly, in LA County, fewer than 1 percent receive care through publicly funded programs.
If you’re looking for cocaine rehab in Los Angeles, you’re not alone. Seeking help is the most powerful step toward lasting recovery. At Westwind Recovery®, we offer a holistic, client-centered continuum of care. From partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient services to outpatient, virtual programs, and aftercare, Westwind supports you and your loved ones every step of the way. Nestled in sunny Los Angeles, our compassionate approach and supportive environment empower you to overcome addiction, rebuild meaningful connections, and rediscover joy in life.
What is Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug derived from the coca plant, and it is most commonly found in the form of a fine white powder or a solid crystal known as “crack.” Often used recreationally for its short-lived euphoric effects, cocaine increases dopamine levels in the brain, creating feelings of energy, alertness, and pleasure. However, repeated use quickly leads to tolerance, dependence, and ultimately cocaine addiction.
Cocaine addiction develops when the brain and body become reliant on the drug to function. What may begin as occasional use to boost mood or performance can rapidly progress into compulsive drug-seeking behavior, even when negative consequences like financial struggles, health issues, or strained relationships appear. Over time, cocaine abuse changes the brain’s chemistry, making it extremely difficult to stop without professional help. For this reason, many individuals require structured support through a cocaine rehab program that provides medical oversight, therapy, and relapse-prevention strategies.
One of the greatest challenges of recovery is the process of cocaine withdrawal. When someone attempts to stop using after a period of dependence, the brain struggles to adjust without the constant presence of the drug. This often leads to intense cravings and difficult withdrawal symptoms that can include depression, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, and disrupted sleep. Without proper care, these symptoms can cause relapse, which is why evidence-based treatment in a professional rehab setting is so important.
Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction
Recognizing the warning signs of cocaine addiction is the first step in helping yourself or a loved one. Addiction may not always be obvious at first, but over time, the symptoms become harder to ignore.
Common signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction include:
- Strong cravings and frequent thoughts about using cocaine
- Needing larger amounts to feel the same effects (tolerance)
- Unsuccessful attempts to cut down or quit
- Risky behaviors such as driving under the influence or engaging in unsafe sexual activity
- Financial problems or borrowing money to buy cocaine
- Sudden bursts of energy followed by “crashes” of exhaustion or depression
- Physical changes such as dilated pupils, weight loss, nosebleeds, or frequent sniffing
- Mood swings, irritability, paranoia, or increased anxiety
If you notice these signs in yourself or someone close to you, it may indicate a serious dependency that requires professional treatment at a cocaine rehab. With the right care, recovery is possible, and no one has to face the challenges of cocaine addiction alone.
Short-Term Effects of Cocaine Use
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that creates an intense but short-lived high. While people may initially feel energized or euphoric, the immediate impact on the body and mind can be dangerous—even life-threatening. Recognizing these risks is often the first step in seeking help through cocaine rehab.
Common short-term effects of cocaine abuse include:
- Intense euphoria followed by a sudden “crash” of fatigue or depression
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
- Dilated pupils and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or touch
- Decreased appetite and rapid weight loss
- Restlessness, irritability, or agitation
- Anxiety, panic attacks, or paranoia
- Impaired judgment leading to risky behaviors, including unsafe sex or driving under the influence
- Nausea, abdominal pain, or frequent nosebleeds (from snorting cocaine)
- Risk of overdose, seizures, stroke, or sudden cardiac arrest—even with a single use
Because the high is so brief, people often binge on cocaine to prolong the effects, increasing their risk of serious medical emergencies and worsening substance abuse patterns.
Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Use
Over time, repeated cocaine use takes a heavy toll on both the body and the mind. Chronic use can lead to physical health decline, damage to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and the development of serious mental health disorders. Without the support of medical professionals, the consequences can be devastating.
Common long-term effects of cocaine abuse include:
- Development of tolerance and dependence, leading to compulsive drug-seeking behavior
- Persistent depression, anxiety, paranoia, or psychosis
- Cognitive decline, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating
- Increased risk of co-occurring mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder and severe mood disturbances
- Permanent damage to the nose, throat, or lungs from snorting or smoking cocaine
- Gastrointestinal complications, such as ulcers and reduced blood flow to the intestines
- Severe cardiovascular problems, including heart disease, arrhythmias, and a higher risk of stroke
- Weakened immune system and increased vulnerability to infectious diseases
- Strained relationships, financial instability, and job loss due to ongoing substance abuse
- Heightened risk of fatal overdose, even after periods of abstinence, due to reduced tolerance
Long-term cocaine use can completely disrupt a person’s quality of life, but recovery is possible with the right support. Comprehensive treatment at a trusted cocaine rehab program helps address both the physical damage caused by drug use and the underlying emotional or psychological struggles that fuel addiction.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles
If you are using cocaine, which is an illicit substance, you most likely are suffering from a substance use disorder. The use of cocaine and abuse of this substance can also lead to psychological and physical issues. You may also be interested in seeking treatment at Westwind Recovery®® because of social or work challenges associated with cocaine addiction.
Whatever the reason, when you are ready to start treatment, we are here to assist you. With our treatment services, you will be able to stay on the fast track to recovery. We also give you the tools and resources to ensure you maintain your path of sobriety for the long term.
When you visit our campus and begin our cocaine addiction treatment program, you are welcomed with open hearts and arms. We want to help you succeed no matter who you are and what your background, income, or circumstances may be. We also work with the LGBTQ community and help to encourage inclusion and diversity as part of the treatment process.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment Programs
Comprehensive cocaine addiction treatment is necessary to achieve a lasting recovery from cocaine addiction. Upon your admission into our cocaine addiction treatment program, our addiction treatment staff will conduct a mental health assessment to create a personalized addiction treatment plan, specific to your individual needs. Addiction treatment programs commonly used to treat cocaine addiction include:
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Trauma Therapy Program
- Virtual Reality Meditation Therapy
- Outpatient Treatment Program
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Our team is able to provide outpatient services for up to 80 adults at one time. Along with being located in one of the most exciting cities in the US, we have access to plenty of activities.
Therapies and Holistic Activities Available at Our Treatment Center
At Westwind Recovery®, the journey to overcoming cocaine addiction isn’t just about stopping substance use, it’s about rebuilding one’s life through healing, connection, and purpose. Westwind’s therapy programs blend evidence-based methods with creative, holistic options to meet you exactly where you’re at.
Core Evidence-Based Therapies
These are the structured approaches foundational to sustained recovery:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helps you identify and reshape the thought patterns and behaviors that fuel addiction. You’ll develop healthier coping strategies and learn to prevent relapse. - Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Equips you with emotional regulation tools, mindfulness techniques, and interpersonal effectiveness—critical for managing stress, cravings, and emotional triggers. - EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Focuses on healing trauma and distressing memories that often underlie addiction, including cocaine dependence, by helping the nervous system process them more adaptively.
Individual, Group, and Family Therapy
Recovery is a shared effort:
- Individual Therapy
Offers a confidential, one-on-one space to explore your story, triggers, and goals. - Group Therapy
Builds connection and understanding through shared experiences and collective healing. - Family Therapy
Strengthens support systems and heals relational patterns to foster long-term recovery.
For our clients, we regularly arrange for outdoor adventures, including beach trips and waterfall hikes. We are even a pet-friendly treatment facility, so you can bring your furry friend for the duration. Once you have completed your outpatient treatment, we are ready to support your sober living needs.
Each home offers a pet-friendly space with a fully equipped kitchen, heated pool, hot tub, wifi, free laundry access, and private and semi-private rooms. You have everything you need to live comfortably as you focus on your current priority, which is achieving sober living.
Contact Westwind Recovery®® to Learn More About Our Rehab for Cocaine, Los Angeles
We want to help you avoid letting your addictive behavior take over your life. If you are struggling with the psychological, physical, social, and behavioral changes associated with cocaine addiction, let us help. Our team is in place to assist you with treatment immediately. Contact Westwind Recovery®® in Los Angeles to regain control of your life by overcoming cocaine addiction.
https://www.chcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SubstanceUseDisorderAlmanac2022.pdf
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10078977/
https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs1/1113/cocaine.htm
https://ndews.org/wordpress/files/2020/08/SCS-Report-2020-Los-Angeles-FINAL.pdf
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/sapc/MDU/MDBrief/CostDataBrief.pdf

Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.