Cocaine Addiction

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:

• Coke
• Crack
• Icing
• Snow
• Rock

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:

• Frequent nosebleeds
• Insomnia/ Fatigue
• Runny nose or white powder around the nostrils
• Sudden weight loss
• Twitching of muscles or tremors
• Smell loss
• High heart rate and blood pressure
• Increased sensitivity to sound and light

• Sudden outbursts and mood swings
• Irritability, anxiety, or paranoia
• Poor personal hygiene
• Borrowing money or financial instability
• Changing social circles or associating with new “friends.”
• Inability to fulfill major responsibilities, such as work or school

• Intense desire to use drugs, compulsive use
• Periods of heavy depression following cocaine binges
• Audio and visual hallucinations

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.

Symptoms of a Cocaine Overdose:

• Physical Symptoms: Body temperature rising; peptic chest pain; dyspnea; nausea and vomiting.
• Mental Symptoms: Anxiety, panic attacks, deep confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.
• Cardiovascular Effects: Tachycardia, high blood pressure level, or arrhythmia.

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:

• Genetic Predisposition: Addiction may be predisposed by a factor of family history.
• Environmental Influences: Exposure to the use of drugs, peer pressure, and socioeconomic stressors may facilitate experimentation.
• Mental Disorders: Comorbid disorders are major depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD, or bipolar illness.
• Early Use: The earlier the initiation of cocaine, the greater the risk for addiction. The age bracket that falls into the higher chances of getting addicted to cocaine is between 12 and 30 years old.
• Route of Administration: Injection and smoking indicate that cocaine acts faster than when snorted up the nostrils.

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.

Short-term effects:

• Physical Changes: Racing heartbeat, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, hyperventilation, dilated pupils, and muscle spasms.
• Mental and Emotional Effects: Euphoria, extreme optimism, talkativeness, restlessness, aggression, overconfidence.
• Cognitive Impairment: Poor judgment, impulsive decisions, and impaired concentration.

Long-term effects:

• Heart Disease and Strokes: Continuing to take them can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, such as arrhythmia, heart attacks, and strokes.
• Nasal Damage: Snorting cocaine can cause nasal septum damage; this may result in chronic nosebleeds, a lost or diminished sense of smell, and permanent structural damage.
• Respiratory Problems: Smoking cocaine results in severe damage to the lungs, respiratory infections, and asthma.
• Liver and Kidney Damage: Prolonged intake may lead to liver and kidney failure, even causing irreversible damage.
• Neurological Disorders: Prolonged abuse of cocaine is responsible for seizures, Parkinson’s disease, and cognitive impairment.
• Mental Health Issues: Anxiety, depression, paranoia, and hallucinations are common manifestations of long-term use of cocaine.

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:

• Mental Symptoms: Depression, anxiety, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts are common; some users even experience hallucinations or psychosis.
• Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, restlessness, insomnia, muscle aches, and increased hunger.
• The Emotional Disturbances: Effects of cocaine withdrawal include hopeless feelings, mood swings, and a strong urge to take the drug.

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:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT enlightens the patients with knowledge of their capabilities for relapse and trains them to develop healthier ways of coping with stress and craving. Besides, they learn to identify negative thought patterns, which help patients not only to avoid relapse but also to limit further drug-seeking behavior.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy: It urges the user to stop using cocaine, emphasizing personal goals and values.
• Couples Therapy: Couples therapy can offer support and help empower the relationship through healthier communication when it involves one partner in a romantic relationship who is suffering from cocaine addiction.

• 12-Step Programs: Groups such as Cocaine Anonymous (CA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offer a structured and peer-supported method of recovery. These groups are quite helpful in keeping the clients accountable for sharing experiences with others in recovery.
• SMART Recovery: A science-based alternative to the 12-step program places great emphasis on self-empowerment and coping mechanisms as ways of managing addictions.

• There is no specific FDA-approved pharmacotherapy for treating Cocaine addiction. Some medications help in the symptomatic treatment of anxiety or sleep disturbances, among other symptoms.
• Disulfiram has sometimes been given to individuals who abuse both alcohol and Cocaine. Some of the research prospects include N-acetyl cysteine, which shows some effectiveness in decreasing cravings for the substance.

• Outpatient Programs: These permit flexibility for persons with milder addictions but still allow the person to receive therapy and support.
• Inpatient Programs: These are treatments done within a contained environment where individuals with severe addictions may safely detox from cocaine under medical supervision and psychological supportive care.
• Sober Living Homes: Assists in bringing stability into the lives of residents or individuals in sober homes who want to be continuously surrounded by people who support their sober state as a way to avoid re-addiction.

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:

• Learn about and inform others about the risks of using cocaine.
• Use stress-relief methods like exercise, mindfulness, and therapy instead of drugs.
• Build a support network of close friends and family.
• Early identification and intervention of risky behaviors or mental health issues before they become critical.
• Structured environments provide opportunities to continue sober and minimize the chance of relapse.

Cocaine dependency doesn’t have to define your future. At our sober living facility, we offer a compassionate, supportive environment where you can heal, grow, and rebuild. Reach out today to discover how our tailored programs can help you regain control and live a fulfilling, sober life. We’re here for you every step of the way.