Cocaine Addiction: Symptoms, Effects, & Rehab

Cocaine is a central nervous stimulant drug commonly encountered on the illicit market as a white powder. In this crystalline powdered form, it is often cut with other substances, such as talcum powder or cornstarch, to make it more profitable for dealers.² Illicitly manufactured cocaine is sometimes also mixed with other stimulants or synthetic opioids like fentanyl—a practice which can make devastating drug overdoses more likely.²

People using cocaine commonly snort it, though it may also be smoked or dissolved into liquid solution to be injected.² Other people may mix cocaine with heroin prior to injecting it, which is known as a “speedball”.²

Why is Cocaine Addictive?

Cocaine is an addictive substance because its use increases the activity of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in rewarding certain types of behavior.² This temporary surge in dopamine activity in our brain’s reward circuits reinforces the continued use of cocaine.²

Over time, repeated use of cocaine and the accompanying alterations in our reward centers and other brain systems are thought to make cocaine addiction more likely.² Additionally though, whether or not a person develops an addiction is thought to be influenced by the complex interaction of several biological and environmental factors. These risk factors can include:³

• Genetics.
• Certain adverse life experiences (e.g., chaotic home life, abuse).
• The presence of certain other mental health issues.
• Drug availability.
• Peer influences and low peer refusal skills.
• Exposure to parental substance use.
• Lack of parental supervision.
• Drug use beginning at a relatively early age.
• Common route of use (i.e., smoking and injecting).

Signs of Cocaine Addiction

Although a substance use disorder diagnosis may be best provided by a doctor or other treatment professional, there are signs that someone possibly has a problem that could indicate the need for further evaluation. As the official diagnostic criteria for stimulant use disorders, the signs of cocaine addiction can include:⁵

• Using more cocaine than was originally intended.
• Persistently wanting to or unsuccessfully attempting to cut back on cocaine use or stop using it entirely.
• The use of cocaine takes a lot of money, time, and resources to get it, use it, and recover from using it.
• You have strong urges and cravings to use cocaine.
• You cannot fulfill your obligations as a parent, student, and/or employee due to cocaine use.
• Cocaine use continues despite increased social or interpersonal problems.
• Cocaine use leads you to abandon previously important social, occupational, or other recreational pursuits.
• Cocaine is used in risky situations like driving or operating heavy machinery.
• You keep using cocaine despite knowing it has caused or worsened a mental or physical condition.
• You develop a tolerance, which means you need to take more cocaine to keep feeling its desired high.
• You experience signs of withdrawal if you stop using it.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Addiction?

While in the short-term, a person may experience euphoria and increased energy, they can also experience irregular heart rate and rhythm, increased blood pressure, hyperthermia, hypersensitivity to various external stimuli, irritability, and psychotic features such as hallucinations and paranoia.² Some people may eventually become malnourished due to cocaine misuse, as this drug reduces appetite significantly.²

There are also other risks based on how the person uses cocaine. For example, in the long-term, people who snort cocaine may develop:²

• Loss of sense of smell.
• Chronic congestion or runny nose.
• Nosebleeds.
• Swallowing issues.

If a person smokes cocaine routinely, they can also experience:²

• Asthma.
• Coughing.
• Breathing difficulties.
• Increased risk of infections like pneumonia.

If someone injects cocaine, the negative, long-term health risks include:²

• Increased likelihood of contracting bloodborne illnesses, such as hepatitis C and HIV.
• Scarring and collapsed veins from repeated injections.
• Skin and tissue infections (e.g., skin abscess, cellulitis).