Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug typically used intranasally for recreational purposes. Cocaine is highly addictive, and repeated use can have serious consequences. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule II drug. Street names for cocaine include coke, blow, powder, white girl, or snow. Some people inject a combination of cocaine and heroin, called a Speedball. Cocaine is distributed as a white, crystalline powder and is oftentimes diluted or cut with a variety of substances, including laundry detergent, laxatives, and other illicit substances. Drug dealers “cut” cocaine to stretch out the product and increase their profits. Cocaine mixed with other substances can be a deadly combination.
Cocaine’s addictive nature can be attributed to its profound impact on the brain’s reward system. When consumed, cocaine rapidly increases levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which plays a key role in pleasure and movement. This surge of dopamine creates intense feelings of euphoria, reinforcing the behavior of drug-taking. The brain begins to associate cocaine use with pleasure, making it more tempting to use the substance again. Over time, these repeated dopamine spikes alter the brain’s chemistry, reducing its ability to feel pleasure without the drug and leading to increased tolerance and dependency. This cycle of craving and use forms the basis of cocaine addiction.
Even in the short term, a struggle with cocaine addiction can have obvious negative consequences on your life. These include both the drug’s physical side effects and changes in your behavior.
Some of these short-term side effects are:
Loss of interest
Intense mood changes
Hygiene problems
Low mood
Irritability
Paranoia
Sleep problems
Interpersonal problems
Problems with work, school, or the law
With more frequent use, your body will require a larger amount of cocaine to feel the same effects as your tolerance builds. In larger doses, cocaine can lead to bizarre, unpredictable, and even violent behavior. Higher doses are also more toxic and could lead to seizures.
There are also long-term symptoms of cocaine addiction that individuals should be aware of. Some of these are extremely serious and can result in long-term disease and even death. More long-term side effects of cocaine addiction include loss of smell and nasal damage, brain bleeds, lung problems, stroke, heart attack, or heart disease.
Cocaine Addiction Signs, Overdose, and Withdrawal
Cocaine affects the nervous system almost immediately.
- Dilated pupils
- Talkativeness
- Long periods of wakefulness
- Loss of appetite
- Overconfidence
- Over-excitement
- Paranoia
- Runny nose or frequent sniffles
- White powder around nostrils
- Loss of urine control
- High body temperature
- Severe sweating
- High blood pressure
- Elevated heart rate or irregular heartbeat
- Bluish skin
- Fast breathing
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
- Death
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Increased appetite
- Unpleasant dreams and insomnia
- Slowed thinking
Our staff is here to help you during the most difficult times.
Find Treatment for Cocaine Addiction
Withdrawing from cocaine alone can be scary. It is advised that you withdraw from cocaine under medical supervision. Fusion Recovery offers medical detox programs and medication-assisted treatments to help alleviate these symptoms. Once you have been stabilized through detox, you can begin our treatment program and start your recovery.
If you or a loved one are struggling with cocaine addiction, our treatment center is here to help. Contact us 24/7 with any questions or concerns. Our staff is here to help you during this difficult time.
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