After decades of declining use, cocaine use is on the rise again in both Europe and the United States.
The reason why, according to experts, is a boom in the production of cocaine in Columbia.
In fact, a report published by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction pointed to a troubling new statistic: In at least some parts of Europe, first time admissions to a treatment center for cocaine addiction increased by over 20 percent from 2014 to 2016.
The coca boom has hit the United States as well, according to The Washington Post. The paper reported that Columbia’s illegal coca crop doubled between 2013 and 2015—and first-time users of the drug in the United States increased 61 percent from 2013 to 2015.
Driving the Cocaine Boom
One of the reasons behind the increase of cocaine in Columbia is that, in 2015, the government, citing health concerns, ended aerial spraying with pesticides in favor of manual eradication. The result is that local farmers found ways to block roads—including land mines— and thwarted the eradication brigades.
The result is that coca plants thrived across the country, producing a bumper crop that spiked cocaine use from Oslo to Ohio.
Why Cocaine is So Addictive
With first time cocaine users on the rise, the inevitable consequence is more people addicted to cocaine.
Cocaine, like other drugs, hijacks the brain, destroying a user’s innate ability to feel happy and motivated. Breaking free usually requires professional help.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment at The Raleigh House
At The Raleigh House, based in Denver, we take a whole-person approach to recovery. That means we don’t just get the cocaine out of your system. The real work is helping you recover psychologically, mentally, spiritually and socially. We also evaluate—and treat—residents for any co-occurring conditions that may exist, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Fill out our form or contact us today to learn more about the cocaine treatment program at The Raleigh House.
