Cocaine addiction can develop even after first use, and regular consumption significantly increases the risk of dependency. Its effects can be devastating, harming both mental and physical health while severely impacting the overall quality of life.
Cocaine is a white crystal powder that tastes bitter. It is a highly addictive, stimulating narcotic that can be snorted, smoked or injected.
Cocaine is abused because of its immanent stimulating effects, as it has a strong impact on the brain’s limbic system, creating a strong effect of pleasure.
Cocaine is derived from the leaves of the coca plant, which grows in South America. The extraction process yields cocaine hydrochloride, a highly potent form that is 99% pure. However, dealers often cut it with similar-looking substances such as starch, sugar, or amphetamines, reducing its purity. By the time it reaches the end user, its concentration typically ranges between 30% and 60%.
Regardless of the form in which it is used, cocaine is a highly addictive psychoactive substance. In some cases, addiction can develop after just one use, and even occasional consumption carries a significant risk. However, recovery is possible, and with the right treatment, people can regain a healthy, fulfilling life. Cocaine addiction treatment is carefully designed to ease withdrawal symptoms and make the recovery process as smooth and manageable as possible.
People struggling with cocaine addiction often start using the drug out of curiosity, but their use can quickly become compulsive. In other words, addiction develops when a person experiences an intense, uncontrollable urge to use cocaine, despite being fully aware of its harmful consequences.
Serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and overall well-being. They also help regulate mood, preventing feelings of depression, sadness and bad mood. Drug abuse, including cocaine use, artificially boosts the levels of these neurotransmitters, intensifying feelings of euphoria and pleasure.
Cocaine addiction develops due to the drug’s impact on the brain’s neurotransmitter system. Regardless of how it is consumed, cocaine rapidly enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain, leading to a surge in dopamine levels. This flood of dopamine creates intense euphoria, driving the user to seek out the same pleasurable sensations repeatedly.
The urge to relive the euphoria strengthens the desire to use cocaine, leading to the emergence of negative physical, psychological, and social consequences. Over time, the body becomes less responsive to the drug, requiring increasingly larger doses to achieve the same effect—a phenomenon known as tolerance. At this stage, the person may begin using cocaine regularly to avoid the distressing symptoms of withdrawal.
When a person can no longer resist the urge to use cocaine, and when this begins to interfere with their daily life, they can be considered addicted.
Cocaine addiction not only destroys the individual, but also affects the lives of those around them.
Prolonged cocaine use negatively affects both mental and physical health, particularly the cardiovascular system. It leads to the rapid development of psychological dependence, meaning the user feels the need to use the drug consistently over an extended period to feel ‘normal.’ As psychological dependence takes hold, tolerance builds, and withdrawal symptoms emerge when use is stopped.
Cocaine can be consumed orally, nasally, intravenously, or by inhalation. When snorted, it induces a powerful euphoria, making the user feel energized and driven to stay active. It stimulates the nervous system, heart, and blood vessels, while also increasing the release of dopamine.
The symptoms of cocaine addiction can vary from person to person, as with any psychoactive substance abuse. However, certain psychological, physical, and behavioural signs have been empirically linked to cocaine use.
Cocaine is primarily abused for the euphoria it induces, but as we’ve highlighted, addiction to this psychoactive substance brings about a range of unwanted consequences.
Snorting cocaine can lead to a loss of smell, frequent nosebleeds, and irritation of the nasal lining, which may result in chronic inflammation and a persistent runny nose. Cocaine addicts also exhibit behavioural changes such as heightened sensitivity to noise, an increased urge to move and socialise, confusion, impotence, and rapid mental fatigue.
Intravenous cocaine users may experience allergic reactions to the drug itself or to impurities commonly found in street cocaine, which can be life-threatening. Injecting cocaine also increases the risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis C (HCV).
Oral consumption of cocaine can lead to intestinal gangrene due to reduced blood flow.
Cocaine is a substance that suppresses the appetite, causing many chronic users to experience significant weight loss.
Psychological consequences arise from prolonged and excessive cocaine use, including paranoia, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of stroke or heart attack. Continuous cocaine use can also lead to irritability, nervousness, and hallucinations. Furthermore, cocaine addiction brings about a range of medical complications, including cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and neurological issues, which will be explored further.
In practice, many people consume cocaine alongside other psychoactive substances, most commonly alcohol. Both of these substances impair rational thinking and alter the state of consciousness. When combined, cocaine and alcohol produce more intense effects than either substance alone and, in extreme cases, can be fatal.
A speedball is the simultaneous use of cocaine and heroin, and this combination can be fatal, often resulting in overdose and respiratory arrest.
Immediate or delayed effects that can occur within hours or a day after use include:
Cocaine addiction treatment is a multifaceted process that demands careful planning and coordination by a professional team. A combination of detoxification, pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy ensures effective recovery and long-lasting results.
Detoxification is the initial step in treating cocaine addiction, where the body eliminates the toxins accumulated from substance use. Over 14 days of intensive treatment, patients undergo the following stages.
Following detoxification, pharmacotherapy is crucial in stabilising both the emotional and physical state. A range of antidepressants and mood stabilisers are used, tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient.
The length of cocaine addiction treatment depends on the severity and frequency of use, as well as the patient’s overall health. Typically, the treatment lasts for 14 days, and the cost is determined based on the individual needs of each patient.
Our expert consultants are available to provide a detailed explanation of the recommended treatment plan and duration, along with all necessary information regarding treatment costs. Our goal is to offer a tailored and effective approach to help patients overcome addiction for good.
This holistic approach not only offers medical and professional support but also promotes the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits and emotional well-being. By combining various therapies with a supportive environment, patients are empowered to regain control of their lives and achieve lasting recovery.
