Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is an addictive stimulant that gives users energy, confidence, and a sense of euphoria. Consequently, cocaine is the most commonly used class A drug and is often taken in social settings. It has many street names, including Blow, Coke, Flake, Snow, and Basa. In a relaxed party setting where people openly use cocaine, it’s easy to forget that it’s dangerous, addictive, and illegal. Users frequently underestimate the risks, particularly those who are using cocaine for the first time or infrequently.

Why is Cocaine So Addictive?

Cocaine is highly addictive as it affects the neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These monoamine hormones are linked to a person’s mental health and mood. Increasing the level of these hormones enhances an individual’s mood, leading to a sense of euphoria and the desire to take more of the drug.

How Addictive is Cocaine?

Cocaine is extremely addictive. Dopamine has been identified as a direct cause of cocaine addiction as it gives instant feelings of pleasure and reward. Cocaine stops the process of dopamine being absorbed into the brain, so whilst on Cocaine, a significant amount of the neurotransmitter builds up. A higher concentration of dopamine provides a greater sense of reward. As a result, the user will associate cocaine use with something good for them and thus seek it out more and more. As drug use becomes more frequent, the user requires more of the substance to achieve the same effect, and addiction can result.

Not only can cocaine addiction take over someone’s life, but it also has serious health implications, including death from a cocaine overdose. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that cocaine-involved overdose rates in the US have risen annually since 2012.

Recovery from cocaine addiction is possible but challenging. Recent studies have shown that cocaine use can cause structural changes in the brain. These changes persist even after prolonged abstinence and occur in regions of the brain associated with response inhibition and addiction. Relapse is an ongoing risk due to these changes and a person’s reduced ability to resist taking drugs.

How Do You Recognize Cocaine?

Cocaine is a white powder that is often snorted or, in some cases, dissolved and injected. It comes from the leaves of the coca plant grown in South America, and 90% of the cocaine entering the US is produced in Colombia.

Cocaine is made by processing the coca leaves into cocaine paste. This paste is processed further to produce hydrochloride crystal, the element responsible for the cocaine high. The white powder sold as cocaine is rarely pure cocaine hydrochloride crystal as it is often mixed with other substances. This practice increases the amount of the substance and enables dealers to make more money from it. It also makes cocaine far more dangerous as users do not know what they are consuming. Dealers add cheaper stimulants in white powder form that mimic the effect of cocaine. These can include caffeine, amphetamines, and crystal meth. These concoctions are not only more dangerous but also more addictive. The addition of fentanyl is particularly concerning as one study identified that it accounted for most of the increase in cocaine-involved deaths from 2015 to 2016.

Cocaine use also includes intentionally mixing it with other drugs. Speedballing is one such practice when cocaine is taken alongside heroin. Cocaine is also often consumed with alcohol due to its “party drug” image. As a result of these practices, users can develop a dual addiction to cocaine alongside alcohol or other drugs.

Increased cocaine use can cause someone to turn to crack, a more potent and dangerous form of the same drug. Crack comes in small rocks of a white solid substance rather than powder and is far more addictive. Freebase is a rare and much higher quality form of crack cocaine. Both Crack and Freebase are smoked, sometimes with marijuana or tobacco.

How Common Is Cocaine Use?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that in 2020, 1.9 % of the US population aged over 12 (around 5.2 million people) used cocaine in the past 12 months. Of these, approximately 1.3 million people had an addiction known as Cocaine Use Disorder, a form of Substance Use Disorder (SUD). A SUD is diagnosed when someone cannot stop using a drug despite it harming their life.

The Monitoring the Future study found that cocaine use among students has decreased significantly since the mid-1990s. While this is encouraging, it is sadly not yet reflected in the overdose death rates, which still demonstrate the prevalence and dangers of cocaine. 19,447 people died from an overdose involving cocaine in 2020. The vast majority of these deaths (around 15,000) also involved an opioid other than methadone (primarily fentanyl).

What Are the Health Risks of Using Cocaine?

Short-term Effects of Cocaine Use

The high that cocaine generates is very short-lived. Users temporarily feel more energetic, alert, and confident due to the rush of hormones in the brain. This instant and favorable reward can leave the user craving more cocaine soon afterward. To replicate the high they experienced, the user can resort to taking a larger quantity than they first intended.

The withdrawal symptoms of cocaine can start as early as the first use. As the use of the substance intensifies in frequency and amount, so do the withdrawal symptoms. Examples of these include:

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure: Some of the most frequently experienced side effects of cocaine are on the cardiovascular system. Cocaine can shock the body with an instant stimulus, increasing the heart rate and blood pressure. While the high of cocaine can last only 15 minutes, the side effects can last much longer, with some users experiencing an elevated heart rate for several days.
• Insomnia: Due to an increased heart rate and brain activity, the release of sleep-producing hormones such as melatonin is delayed causing insomnia.
• Fatigue: The increased energy levels associated with cocaine use can cause people to over-exert themselves. When the effect of the cocaine has worn off, the user can find themselves physically and mentally exhausted.
• Depression and anxiety: After the short-lived euphoria of cocaine use, the brain enters a recovery phase where hormone levels drop, and the user can feel worse than they did before. This phase can lead to feelings of hopelessness and anxiety.
• Mood swings and irritability: A combination of withdrawal symptoms can negatively impact a person’s mood. Lack of sleep combined with reduced hormone levels and physical symptoms can cause someone to be more moody and irritable than usual.

Long-term Effects of Cocaine Use

When someone suffers from cocaine withdrawal symptoms, they often have a strong urge to use more cocaine to alleviate these symptoms. This cycle of more frequent use and larger doses increases the risk of adverse psychological or physiological effects. Examples of some of the health risks associated with long-term use of cocaine include:

• Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes: The increased heart rate and blood pressure associated with cocaine use can lead to serious heart conditions.
• Bowel disease: Cocaine can reduce or stop blood flow to the intestines and cause a serious condition called bowel ischemia.
• Asthma: Studies have shown that cocaine can trigger asthma symptoms in those who already suffer or can cause the onset of asthma in those who do not.
• Seizures: Disrupting the rhythm of the heart can cause seizures. Seizures are a rare but very dangerous effect of taking cocaine, especially for epilepsy sufferers.
• Impaired brain function: Cocaine changes the brain’s hormone levels and structure. A person’s memory, decision-making abilities and attention span may be detrimentally affected.
• Substance-induced psychosis: An increased level of dopamine in the brain can lead to a person losing touch with reality. Signs of this include hallucinations, paranoia and inappropriate behavior.

The 3 Stages of Cocaine Addiction

To develop a drug addiction, an individual goes through a process of use, increased use, and then dependency. Three distinct stages lead to addiction to cocaine:

Experimentation

Drug use often begins with experimentation. People can find themselves in situations where taking drugs seems normal and acceptable. They are curious to discover what it is like and experience what other people are experiencing. At this stage, someone may see cocaine as a positive experience. Taken only in social settings, they may find that they enjoy the newfound confidence and energy that cocaine gives them. However, this is how addiction can start with someone wanting to achieve this feeling more regularly.

Habitual Use

By the second stage, the person uses cocaine regularly and is dependent on it. Obtaining the same effect from the substance can become harder with increased use. Using more cocaine to achieve the same sense of euphoria is necessary. The person seeks out situations and people with whom they can use cocaine. They are suffering from withdrawal symptoms and resort to taking more cocaine to alleviate these. The person’s life is starting to suffer.

Full Addiction

Cocaine is now in control of the person’s life. They spend all of their time thinking about it and seeking it out. At this stage, an addicted person can resort to criminal or dangerous behavior. To have the money to fund their habit, they may turn to theft, prostitution, selling cocaine themselves, and other crimes. The person suffers health problems and risks serious complaints such as stroke and death from overdose. They cannot work or function normally and may have become estranged from friends and family.

6 Questions to Ask Yourself if You Think That You May Be Addicted to Cocaine

Cocaine, like all drugs, has side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and things to look out for if you are worried that you may be addicted. The warning signs can be physical or behavioral. Some are short-lived, whereas others develop as the addiction develops. Below are some of the questions to ask yourself about your relationship with cocaine:

1. Has cocaine become a major focus in your life?

Often users find that cocaine has taken priority over work, school, and family commitments. If you find yourself frequently thinking about cocaine and struggling to concentrate on anything else, this is a sign that you may be addicted.

2. Have you changed socially?

Cocaine addicts often step away from people and activities that they enjoyed previously. You may find that you no longer get pleasure from the activities you did before and instead choose situations where drugs are commonplace.

3. Are your relationships being affected?

You may avoid people and places due to shame or a fear of being judged. You may lie to loved ones about your whereabouts. Distancing yourself from friends and family not involved in drug-taking is a common sign of addiction.

4. Do you have frequent withdrawal symptoms?

If you have insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, or mood swings, then you may have cocaine withdrawal symptoms. If your usual routine has been affected and you find the only way to function normally and alleviate the symptoms is to take more cocaine, you likely have an addiction.

5. Are you able to have fun without cocaine?

If your use of cocaine is increasing in quantity or frequency, it is possible that you are developing an intolerance and may be addicted. Another warning sign is when you start to use cocaine outside of social settings, by yourself, or at all times of the day and night. In addition, you may not even want to go out if you cannot obtain cocaine or have a friend bring it with them.

6. Does your use of cocaine harm your life?

Cocaine addiction has a detrimental effect on a person’s relationships, work, health, and finances. If you recognize the impact that cocaine has on your life but continue to use it anyway, you are likely addicted. You may also have tried to stop, but relapsed as the temptation was too strong.

Signs That Someone You Know May Be Addicted to Cocaine

Often, those around the person with the addiction notice the telltale signs and initiate the process of getting help. The addicted person may be in denial about their addiction, or it may have developed to the point that they cannot see a way out. When addicted to drugs, they can become so engrossed in the situation and an environment that normalizes drug use that they do not have clarity of thought to see what is happening. Some of the signs that you can look out for in others include:

• More energy: The person may be more energetic than usual. They may appear hyperactive and unable to retain focus on anything for more than a few minutes. They may have fewer inhibitions, be more talkative and social, and generally have more confidence than usual. They may also suddenly appear to have new friends and a new social life.
• Agitation and paranoia: The high of cocaine is short-lived, so the addicted person can appear agitated and on edge in between taking the drug. They may also appear distrustful of others and display signs of paranoia.
• Lying and secretiveness: To fulfill their cravings, the addicted person may be more secretive than usual. They may lie about their whereabouts and sneak off or disappear for periods of time.
• Physical signs: The side effects of cocaine include cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose. The person’s pupils may dilate, and they may develop tics or twitches, especially around the mouth. They may also start breathing more heavily, excessively sweating, and experiencing nosebleeds.

What To Do if You Need Help With Cocaine Addiction

If you answered yes to some of the questions or have seen some signs in a loved one, it is time to seek professional advice. The right addiction treatment resource can help you understand more about addiction, obtain guidance on how to stage an intervention if the person is reluctant to get help, and assist you with finding a treatment center locally. Below are some examples of trusted addiction resources that can help:

• Call a helpline for advice. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is available daily and offers advice on treatment options. Call: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357).
• The Rehab.com helpline is available to connect people that need help with treatment providers that care. It is free, confidential, and available for you to call now at (833) 386-0206.
• Make an appointment with a doctor. Often they have access to local information and can help you find treatment facilities in your area.
• Seek out local support groups through organizations such as Narcotics Anonymous. Meeting with people with similar experiences can be highly motivational.
• Ask friends and family. Often someone will have experienced a similar situation or know someone who has. They may be able to advise on substance abuse treatment options in your area from first-hand experience.

What To Expect From Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

The most appropriate cocaine addiction treatment option is dependent on the patient’s individual needs and situation. Treatment programs may include a combination of medical detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and aftercare programs. Successful rehabilitation programs often incorporate a variety of behavioral therapies. These commonly include techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Contingency Management (CM), and Motivational Interviewing (MI).

Why Go to a Dedicated Cocaine Treatment Center?

Cocaine treatment facilities have programs specifically designed to help those dependent on or addicted to cocaine. The staff members are skilled at assisting individuals in addressing their addiction’s root causes and developing new coping mechanisms to handle their emotions and stress without resorting to drugs. Other patients within the center will be in a similar situation. You will build connections and receive support from people on the same path to recovery.

Find a Cocaine Rehab Near You

What Else Does a Treatment Program for Cocaine Misuse Offer?

An effective cocaine treatment program is responsive to the effects of the drug on the body and the mind. Trials and research using new and experimental treatments for cocaine addiction are conducted regularly. Examples of new treatments include the use of medications that counteract the effects of cocaine on the brain. Medical and mental health professionals at a cocaine treatment center keep abreast of these latest developments in cocaine addiction treatment.

Cocaine addiction can devastate you and those around you, but it is never too late to change. Many people struggle with addiction, and many addiction treatment options are available. By choosing a treatment center with a proven track record or program dedicated to cocaine addicts, you can rest assured that your individual needs will be assessed and treated. You will develop new life strategies, form bonds with other participants facing the same issues, and start to build a new future.