Cocaine is a very potent stimulant drug; it is mainly known for the euphoria it causes. It has further been variously described as a party drug or the rich man's drug because of its high costs. Its action on the central nervous system causes a temporary elevation of energy levels and alertness. It is, however, highly addictive.
Cocaine addiction is a complicated affair, affecting both individuals and societies as a whole. The nature of this addiction, its effect on the brain, and how treatment can be conducted are important aspects of both prevention and recovery from this addiction.
Cocaine addiction is the habitual dependence on the drug, resulting in compulsive use despite harmful consequences. Cocaine usually comes as a white powder that can be snorted, smoked (free-based), or dissolved in water and then injected.
Common street names for cocaine include the following:
Cocaine works in the brain by increasing levels of dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure and reward. This gives users the feeling of euphoria when the dopamine spikes, but quickly leads to use for addiction.
Addiction rewires the reward system within your brain; thus, it is impossible for one to simply quit without professional intervention. While psychological dependency seems to be the most difficult to overcome, physical symptoms include increased heart rate, restlessness, and insomnia that accompany cocaine addiction.
In 2019, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimated that 5.5 million Americans reported using cocaine in the past year, with approximately 2 million reporting use in the past month.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the age-adjusted death rate for cocaine-involved overdoses increased from 1.2 per 100,000 in 2013 to 5.0 per 100,000 in 2019, marking a 317% increase over that period.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse maintains that the population most vulnerable to cocaine abuse is young adults who fall between 18 and 25 years of age.
Cocaine addiction is characterized by physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms. Detecting the addiction early requires one’s consideration of the following:
Typical doses of cocaine are usually between 30-70 mg per use. However, the risk of dangerous health effects remains high because some people have died from an overdose of only 30 mg due to hypersensitivity.
Amounts that become dangerous vary with the tolerance and sensitivity of the person with an addiction. The lethal dose is about 1.2 g, which can be tolerated by the average person, though individuals with high tolerance have reported using up to 5 g daily. This amount is extremely dangerous and can lead to grave complications or death.
This can very easily lead to an overdose, which causes a stroke, heart attack, and coma. Call 911 immediately if one suspects a person to be overdosing on cocaine.
Cocaine addiction primarily results from the drug’s impact on the brain’s reward system. Cocaine blocks the usual reabsorption of dopamine, thereby causing the accumulation of this “feel-good” neurotransmitter in the brain. Factors that may contribute to its addiction include:
Cocaine addiction may cause a wide range of actions, from minor to serious harmful outcomes on one’s body and brain. This drug acts fast in the body, which often happens in just a few seconds, depending on how one is using it: snorting, smoking, or injecting.
Cocaine use leads to a significant increase in dopamine levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This surge causes the individual to feel euphoric, energetic, and confident. However, these effects are short-lived, and the person often craves to sustain this sensation, leading them to use more and more cocaine, which can drive the cycle of addiction.
When someone dependent on cocaine stops using it, they may experience withdrawal symptoms as their body readjusts. Withdrawal is hard to cope with and generally involves physical and psychological symptoms.
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms may include:
Treatment of cocaine addiction usually follows a multidimensional approach since both the psychological and physical aspects of addiction have to be treated. The most effective treatments include:
By integrating therapies, support, and medical inputs, clients who have a cocaine addiction can be provided with an individualized plan to best suit their needs.
Education and the establishment of strong support networks form the foundation of cocaine addiction prevention. Other considerations for effective prevention include:
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