Cocaine is a potent stimulant that directly affects brain chemistry. Those who abuse cocaine often crave the euphoria it causes through chemical changes in the brain. These changes in the brain also lead to intense craving f or the drug, which can last even after an individual becomes sober.
Cocaine use produces an intense rush followed by a “crash.” During the crash, the individual no longer feels the effects of the drug which leads to craving. This binge/crash pattern leads to addiction as the drug must be taken frequently to maintain the effects and prevent the crash.
Cocaine was not always an illegal substance - most elixirs and tonics used in the 1900’s included a purified form of cocaine. Physicians still occasionally use cocaine to control pain during eye, ear, nose and throat surgeries.
There are two main forms of cocaine sold on the street, each with a different means of use and different effects. Powdered cocaine, or “dope,” “coke,” or “blow” is usually snorted, but occasionally injected into the bloodstream for a faster high. Crack cocaine, called “freebase,” or “rock,” reaches the brain faster than the powdered form.
Coke dealers often cut cocaine with talcum or other inert ingredients to increase profits. Some dealers attempt to create a more desirable product by mixing it with procaine, a similar anesthetic, amphetamine or heroin. Not knowing the strength or purity of the cocaine increases the chances for negative consequences such as overdose, coma or death.
Cocaine is highly physically and psychologically addictive – some individuals report becoming addicted after a single use. At Abilene we understand how difficult it is to quit abusing cocaine and we’re here to offer you the support and help you need to successfully beat your cocaine addiction.
Statistics
Cocaine abuse and addiction is a rapidly expanding problem in the United States as it is considered one of the most abused stimulants in America. Recently, cocaine has been designated the drug most often involved emergency room visits. Approximately 1.9 million people use cocaine each month; 359,000 of those use crack cocaine. More men than women abuse cocaine. Adults between the ages of 18 and 25 report higher rates of cocaine usage with 1.5% of individuals in this age bracket self-reporting cocaine abuse with in the past 30 days.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Many individuals who abuse cocaine also abuse other substances either to increase the effect or to minimize the effects of coming down from the drug. There are also co-occurring mental disorders that complicate the addiction and make quitting harder. The most frequent co-occurring mental illnesses are:
- Sedative, hypnotic, benzodiazepine, and anti-anxiety agent abuse
- Alcohol abuse
- PTSD
- Gambling and other addiction disorders
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- ADHD
Causes
Although it is believed no single cause is responsible for cocaine abuse and addiction, researchers agree that it is likely a combination of physiological, genetic and environmental factors.
Genetic: Those with a family history of cocaine abuse are more likely to develop the disorder. While increased risk does not mean everyone with a family history of the disorder will develop the addiction, as drug abuse and addiction often starts in the teen years, adolescents should be made aware of their family history and efforts put in place to prevent addiction.
Biological: Research suggests that when cocaine is used even a few times there may be changes to certain genes leading to alteration in the amount of a protein in the brain responsible for maintaining levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine has been linked to feelings of pleasure, happiness and euphoria. As cocaine is perceived by the brain as similar to dopamine with repeated use, the brain stops producing its own naturally-occurring dopamine and cocaine substitutes for it. When attempting to come off of cocaine, severe depression can occur since it takes time before the brain begins producing natural dopamine again. This makes relapse likely without the proper intervention and support.
Environmental: There are times in everyone’s life when we need more energy, such as completing college, interviewing for work, or starting a job. When we feel the outcomes are critical to our well-being and happiness we want to do everything possible to make a good impression or complete a task at the highest level. For some, anxiety, shyness or poor self-esteem can get in the way of accomplishing such goals. Sometime individuals find that cocaine overcomes these self – perceived flaws and gives them the energy, confidence and enhanced personality to succeed which they believe they would have likely failed at otherwise. While some may stop taking the drug after achieving success, others develop the belief that they cannot achieve anything of importance without the drug.
Psychological: Research suggests that certain inborn characteristics that form the building blocks of temperament and later personality can lead to the development of cocaine use and abuse. Certain individuals are born with a preference for feeling “up,” alert and stimulated while others are born with a preference for feeling calm and laid back. If the preference for feeling constantly aroused and stimulated are not met by the individual’s own nervous system and brain chemistry they may use cocaine or crack to reach their preferred level of arousal.
Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Abuse
Symptoms of cocaine use are numerous and vary widely dependent on amount used, length of addiction, purity of the drug and other factors. Symptoms of cocaine use include:
Mood:
- Euphoria
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Aggression
Behavioral:
- The drug is taken in larger amounts and/or over longer periods of time than intended
- Violent behaviors or constant level of excitement about the world
- Increased sociability and loss of shyness or feelings of inhibition
- Significantly decrease appetite and weight loss
- Feeling as if physical strength has increased
- Greater mental acuity
- Extremely talkative while high
- Bizarre and erratic behaviors
- Legal problems
- Desire or unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut down
- A lot of time spent obtaining, using or recovering from the drug
- Use results in failure to fulfill responsibilities
- Widespread social or interpersonal problems
- Marital problems or divorce
- Use leads to abandoning important social, occupational or recreational activities
- Use of cocaine in situations that are dangerous
- Continued use despite awareness that the drug use is causing numerous problems in the individuals life
Physical:
- Cold sweats
- Weight loss
- Decreased need for sleep
- Dizziness
- Decreased appetite
- Tremors
- Twitching
- Teeth grinding
- Dilated pupils
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Damaged nasal septum
- Nose bleeds
- Facial pain
- Sinus infections
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal
Psychological:
- Cravings for the drug
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Psychosis
- Worsening of mental health conditions
- Mania
- Confusion
Effects of Cocaine Use
There are numerous effects of cocaine use. When someone first begins to use the drug, the effects are generally positive. After using the substance for a period of time negative effects set in, however, by then the individual is often addicted and tolerates the negative symptoms to maintain some of the positive ones or to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Permanent changes to heart rhythms
- Bloodborne diseases
- Legal problems
- Unemployment
- Divorce
- Domestic violence
- Increased sense of power in life
- Increased sense of specific and general competency (may be associated with delusions of grandeur)
- Restlessness and agitation
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Cocaine psychosis resembling paranoid schizophrenia
- Death from medical complications
- Suicide
Effects of Withdrawal
When cocaine use is abruptly stopped or drastically cut back, withdrawal symptoms appear, especially if the individual is deeply dependent upon the drug. Withdrawal symptoms, while unpleasant, are rarely serious and include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anhedonia – inability to feel pleasure
- Increased fatigue
- Challenges in concentration
- Cravings for cocaine
- Body aches and pain
- Tremors and shakiness
- Chills
- Goosebumps