Cocaine Addiction: Signs of Coke Addiction

How Addictive Is Cocaine?

Cocaine is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its high potential for substance abuse and addiction. This is primarily because of the euphoric high it produces, which is triggered by the accumulation of dopamine in the brain. Due to its fast-acting nature, dependence on cocaine can develop rapidly, making it challenging to quit.

One significant reason for cocaine abuse is positive reinforcement. Cocaine use prompts the release of dopamine in the brain, which stimulates pleasure centers and induces feelings of euphoria, confidence, alertness, and excitement. Individuals who desire these sensations may seek to experience them repeatedly.

Another factor that makes cocaine especially addictive is the short-lived yet intense high it produces. After snorting the drug, effects typically take hold within 5 to 30 minutes and last for 20 to 30 minutes. When cocaine is smoked or injected, effects occur even more rapidly and wear off faster. Once the high subsides, cravings often emerge, leading to increased frequency and amount of use, tolerance buildup, withdrawal symptoms, and progression toward addiction.

Beyond this, cocaine is often adulterated with other addictive substances like fentanyl or methamphetamine. This intensifies reinforcement, promotes continued use, and significantly increases the risk of overdose.

Some individuals continue using cocaine to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Quitting or being unable to acquire cocaine can lead to fatigue, anxiety, depression, irritability, paranoia, nightmares, and intense cravings known as a crash. This uncomfortable experience can drive continued use and reinforce addiction.

Mixing Cocaine With Other Substances

Cocaine is commonly used in social settings where other substances are present. As a result, many individuals mix cocaine with alcohol or other drugs such as heroin, opioids, or marijuana.

Cocaine and Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances alongside cocaine. When combined, the drugs form a compound called cocaethylene in the body. This substance has a longer half-life than cocaine alone, causing effects to last longer and increasing strain on the heart and liver.

Cocaine and Opioids

Mixing cocaine with opioids significantly increases the risk of overdose, particularly due to the prevalence of potent synthetic opioids. This combination places extreme stress on the body by simultaneously stimulating and depressing the central nervous system.

Cocaine and Heroin

Combining cocaine and heroin, commonly known as speedballing, is a dangerous form of polysubstance use. This combination greatly elevates the risk of overdose and other severe health complications.

Mixing substances increases the likelihood of overdose, impairs judgment, alters drug effects, and raises the risk of serious injury or death.

Cocaine Addiction Statistics

Estimates indicate that approximately 15% of adults in the United States have tried cocaine at least once. Cocaine abuse has increased in recent years, with national survey data showing a steady rise in diagnosable cocaine use disorders.

Survey data indicate that around 1 million U.S. adults had diagnosable cocaine addiction in 2019, increasing to 1.25 million in 2020 and 1.4 million in 2021.

Youth surveys show that past-year cocaine use was reported by 1.2% of 12th graders, 0.6% of 10th graders, and 0.2% of 8th graders.

Cocaine-related overdose deaths have risen sharply, increasing from 6,784 fatalities in 2014 to 24,486 in 2020.

Symptoms and Signs of Cocaine Addiction

Physical Symptoms

• Raised body temperature
• High energy levels
• Restlessness
• Excessive sweating
• Runny nose
• Persistent nosebleeds
• Dilated pupils
• Blurred vision
• Pronounced weight loss
• Diminished appetite
• Breathing problems
• Blacking out
• Cognitive impairment
• High blood pressure
• Kidney damage
• Liver damage
• Insomnia
• Chest pain
• Tolerance to cocaine
• Increased risk of heart attack

Psychological Symptoms

• Fleeting euphoria
• Mood swings
• Excessive confidence
• Impaired decision-making
• Depression
• Extreme mood swings
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Psychosis

Behavioral Symptoms

• Talking excessively
• Stealing money
• Trying to borrow money
• Dishonesty regarding activities
• Impulsive behavior
• Engaging in reckless behaviors
• Leaving drug paraphernalia around a living area
• Inability to stop or moderate cocaine use
• Socializing with friends who use cocaine
• Excessive time spent using cocaine
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Losing interest in hobbies or interests
• Using other drugs in addition to coke
• Continuing to use cocaine in spite of adverse outcomes

Cocaine Overdose

Along with these dangerous psychological symptoms and physical signs of cocaine addiction, one of the effects of cocaine you must be aware of is an increased risk factor of cocaine overdose.

Repeated exposure to this drug leads to a number of issues, including an increase in tolerance that can impact how cocaine affects the body and brain. This combined with mixing cocaine with other drugs can lead to some dangerous side effects.

Cocaine heavily impacts the cardiovascular system leading to high blood pressure, constricted blood vessels which can temporarily decrease blood supply, cardiac arrest, and more. Overall, these issues impact the whole body and when someone takes too much of this illicit drug, it can lead to an overdose which can result in coma, respiratory failure, and even death.

Am I Addicted To Cocaine?

Cocaine drug addiction symptoms are listed in the latest edition of APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).

Cocaine addiction, clinically known as stimulant use disorder, is diagnosed based on your response to these questions:

1. Has tolerance to cocaine built so you need more of the drug to achieve the same effect?
2. Have you tried and failed to moderate or discontinue cocaine use?
3. Have you taken more cocaine than planned or used cocaine for longer than intended?
4. Are you spending lots of time obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of cocaine?
5. Have you given up social engagements or regular activities in favor of drug abuse?
6. Do you experience cravings for cocaine?
7. Are you failing to meet commitments at home, work, or school due to your use of coke?
8. Have you used cocaine in dangerous situations, when driving for instance?
9. Are you still using cocaine despite inflaming an existing physical or psychological issue?
10. Do you continue to use cocaine despite your drug abuse causing problems in your relationships?
11. Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms in the absence of cocaine?

Stimulant use disorder is diagnosed as follows:

• Mild stimulant use disorder: 2 to 3 symptoms
• Moderate stimulant use disorder: 4 to 5 symptoms
• Severe stimulant use disorder: 6 or more symptoms

What To Do When You’re Addicted To Cocaine

If you’re a cocaine user and worried you’ve become addicted to cocaine, it’s vital to seek professional treatment for cocaine addiction.

Remember that overcoming cocaine addiction is a long-term process that requires commitment and patience. With the right support and treatment, it is possible to recover and live a fulfilling life free from addiction. Shortcut the process by reaching out to Renaissance Recovery’s cocaine addiction treatment program.

Get Help With Cocaine Addiction At Renaissance Recovery

In most cases of cocaine withdrawal, symptoms can be most effectively managed in a medical detox center. We can connect you with a suitable medical detox center near you, allowing you to purge the toxins and toxic by-products of the drug from your system with around-the-clock clinical care.

We specialize in the outpatient treatment of stimulant use disorders like coke addiction. We can also provide dual diagnosis treatment programs for those with co-occurring mental health disorders.

Through a personalized array of behavioral therapies including individual counseling, group counseling, psychotherapy, and contingency management, you can reclaim your life from cocaine addiction at Renaissance.

Our cocaine treatment program will offer clients access to numerous evidence-based treatment methods, dual diagnosis treatment to help with any underlying mental health issues as well as relapse prevention programs to help reduce a person’s risk of relapse.

Reach out to the friendly team today and learn how you can get treatment for cocaine addiction from our team of medical professionals.

Sources

• https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/
• https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
• https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida
• https://www.samhsa.gov/
• https://www.samhsa.gov/data/release/2019-national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-releases
• https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt35323/NSDUHDetailedTabs2020/NSDUHDetailedTabs2020/NSDUHDetTabsSect1pe2020.htm
• https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt39441/NSDUHDetailedTabs2021/NSDUHDetailedTabs2021/NSDUHDetTabsSect5pe2021.htm
• https://nida.nih.gov/drug-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/monitoring-future-2021-survey-results
• https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/educational-resources/dsm-5-tr-fact-sheets