Facts About Cocaine Addiction

In this post, we will discuss what cocaine is, how it’s used, the effects it can have both physically and mentally and the signs and symptoms you should look out for pertaining to addiction to cocaine.

What is cocaine?

Cocaine is a powerful, dangerous, and highly addictive stimulant drug. It is made from leaves from the coca plant native to South America, most specifically Bolivia, Peru, and Columbia.

Once they are ready for harvest, the leaves are picked and then mixed with weed killer, cement, gasoline, and sulfuric acid – among other caustic chemicals – to turn the leaves to paste before being sold on (1).

Once it is turned into a powder and sold to traffickers, dealers often mix cocaine with talcum powder or flour to increase their profits.

Street names for cocaine include blow, coke, candy, snow, and Charlie. Cocaine from the coca plant can also be used for medicinal purposes as it can act as a local anaesthetic (2).

How is cocaine used?

Cocaine is most commonly snorted through the nose, rubbed on the gums, or diluted with water and injected directly into the bloodstream.

It can also be smoked. Each method of administration produces highs of varying degrees and lengths. However, while the high tends to happen almost immediately after administration of the drug, rarely does a cocaine high last more than 30 minutes.

What are the effects of cocaine?

Cocaine produces a range of short-term side effects that occur immediately after the administration of the drug. However, continued heavy use can cause long-term and sometimes irreversible side effects.

Short-term side effects

Increased mental alertness
Euphoria
Increased energy
Non-stop talking
Irritability
Paranoia
Sensitivity to light, sound, or touch
Increased blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Dilated pupils

Long-term side effects

Repeated cocaine use causes the user to build up a tolerance to the drug. This means that they require larger amounts more often to feel the desired effect. The immediate but short-lived highs make cocaine a highly addictive and dangerous substance.

Long-term use causes a range of long-term side effects that include:

Loss of smell
Frequent nosebleeds
Septum issues – in rare cases, the septum can rot away
Increased risk of HIV or hepatitis – especially if the drug is injected
Gastrointestinal issues
Respiratory distress
Significant weight loss
Increased risk of heart attack or stroke
Increased risk of Parkinson’s disease
Memory loss

How is the brain affected by cocaine use?

When we do something that we enjoy, our brains release a “feel-good” chemical called dopamine. The dopamine that was released is then recycled back into the brain to prevent an overflow. Cocaine use releases dopamine but prevents it from being recycled by the brain.

This then makes the brain feel that it needs to keep producing dopamine, causing a build-up. Because the overflow of the feel-good hormone is directly related to taking cocaine, the brain sends signals that it needs cocaine in order for you to feel that good again.

Studies have shown that repeated cocaine use can alter the physical structure of nerve cells within the brain – a change that can last many months after the last administration of cocaine (3). This change in brain chemistry is directly linked to altered behaviours including addiction and cravings.

What are the signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction?

Knowing the signs of cocaine addiction is helpful if you feel that someone you know may have an addiction.

Signs differ from person to person but some of the most common signs of a regular cocaine user are:

Insomnia
Mood swings and irritability
Loss of appetite leading to significant weight loss
Anxiety
Depression
Paranoia
Frequent runny nose and constantly sniffing
Increase in confidence
Financial or legal issues
Track marks, usually on the arms, if they inject it
Being secretive about their whereabouts
Withdrawal from friends and family
Opting to spend time with other cocaine users

Cocaine overdose signs and symptoms

An overdose occurs when the levels of cocaine in the system are toxic to the body. Cocaine overdose can happen from the very first administration of the drug, however, the risk of overdose increases the longer the addiction occurs.

This is because your body will build a tolerance to the drug, and you will need to take more cocaine overtime to reach the desired effect.

Cocaine overdose can be fatal, and if you suspect you or someone else may have over overdosed, it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible.

Cocaine overdose signs and symptoms include:

Seizures
Chest pain
Elevated heart rate
Hypertension
Increased body temperature
Nausea and vomiting
Anxiety
Delirium
Paranoia
Headaches
Blurred vision

Treatment of cocaine overdose

There are currently no medications available to help treat cocaine addiction. And while there is no way to reverse a cocaine overdose, there are ways to manage the side effects. Medical professionals will first rule out pregnancy in women of childbearing age, and then treat the clinical symptoms such as hypertension, tachycardia, and anxiety (4).

It is also important to note that it is not always necessary to take cocaine to suffer from an overdose. Many people smuggling cocaine across borders either swallow small bags of the substance or insert small bags into their rectum.

If these bags rupture, the cocaine will be leaked into your system in huge amounts causing serious side effects and can lead to death, especially if the person transferring cocaine within their body is not a regular cocaine user.

What treatment is available for cocaine addiction?

As with most addictions, cocaine addiction treatment usually begins with a detoxification process. This is when the substance is removed from the body. The only way to completely detox is to stop taking the drug. Detox usually lasts around a week but can take longer when the addiction has become severe. During this time, the person will experience some unpleasant side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

Some common withdrawal symptoms of cocaine are:

Fatigue
Disorientation
Anxiety or depression
Difficulty concentrating
Insomnia
Vivid nightmares
Muscle aches
Fever or chills
Intense cravings for cocaine
Increased appetite
Sexual dysfunction

Other treatment options include:

1. Inpatient rehab facility

An inpatient rehab facility is a place where you check-in and stay for an agreed amount of time – usually between 30 and 90 days depending on the severity of the addiction. While checking in, you will receive therapy, learn the importance of nutrition, and partake in leisure activities such as yoga.

You will have access to medical professionals at all times who will make sure you are getting any medication you need to ease withdrawal symptoms and getting the care needed to prepare you for leaving the facility drug-free.

2. Outpatient rehab

Outpatient rehab does not require you to stay anywhere other than your own home. This option allows the patient to continue with work or school while still receiving the help they need through appointments at a healthcare facility.

3. Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for addiction. It works by altering the way you approach certain situations by changing the way you think and feel in a more positive way. It can help with managing triggers and overcoming invasive negative thought processes that can often lead to substance abuse.

4. 12-step programmes

12-step programmes are meetings with other people suffering from addictions and people who have overcome addictions. They are usually held at community centres or church halls and don’t cost much to attend.

They can help by allowing you to see that you are not alone in your journey to sobriety, and you are not a failure. You can learn coping techniques and get valuable advice from the other members as well as voicing your own concerns and anxieties to people who have experienced the same thing.

5. One-to-one therapy

As addiction is common among people with underlying mental health issues, treating the mental health issues is imperative when treating addiction. One-to-one therapy can help shed light on any mental health issues you may have and can identify the root cause of your addiction. Knowing the cause of your addiction can be extremely beneficial when you are trying to overcome it.

Need help?

If you require help for cocaine addiction, be sure to contact our team today. We are able to facilitate a range of cocaine addiction treatments, including cocaine rehab and cocaine detox.