How Addictive Is Cocaine?

It is a fact that a cocaine habit is one of the hardest drug addictions to overcome. This is not to say that everyone who takes the drug becomes an addict instantly, however, the addictive nature of cocaine coupled with frequent and prolonged use can result in a person becoming cocaine dependent.

Cocaine as a stimulant affects the way users feel, ranging from alert to euphoric, or simply ‘high.’ This euphoric feeling does not last long, and so a person taking cocaine will gradually increase the dose and the risk to their mental and physical health.

What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine as a substance is extracted from the leaves of the cocoa bush Erythroxylum. It grows on the slopes of the Andes mountains in South America and has been used by native people of Bolivia and Peru for 4,500 years to reduce hunger and fatigue. 

Cocaine powder, or specifically cocaine hydrochloride, is a white crystalline powder which is snorted or injected by the user. 

How Cocaine Makes You Feel

The feelings associated with using cocaine can be euphoric, energetic, talkative and even calming. For others the feelings associated with using cocaine can be negative, such as agitation and the inability to relax. Cocaine dependence can very quickly spiral out of control as our body becomes accustomed to it and craves larger doses more frequrently.  Whether snorted or injected, a person can feel the effects of cocaine only for a short time, usually around 30-45 minutes. 

A person’s heart rate becomes faster on cocaine, as well as an increase in blood pressure and body temperature. Those addicted to cocaine can develop mental health issues when using the drug over a longer period of time. These include panic attacks, paranoia, hallucinations, and other violent and erratic behaviours.

The Addictive Nature Of Cocaine

Once a person develops a frequent habit of using cocaine, the addiction to this drug can be severe in its consequences for the user.  Very often, cocaine addicts prioritize using the substance over their social and familial obligations. 

The grip of addiction is so strong that a user will knowingly take cocaine risking their medical and mental health. The withdrawal symptoms of cocaine are so intense that no matter the consequences, a cocaine addict will simply opt to use the drug instead of quitting it. There are also serious health and behavioural problems associated with using cocaine. Examples include:

• Frequent sinus infections and the loss of smell. 
• Weight loss, poor health, malnutrition, infertility. 
• Infections from injections: HIV, hepatitis etc.
• Infants can be born with physical defects and be underweight. 
• High risk behaviours: violence, poor judgement. 
• Psychiatric disorders: psychosis, anxiety, paranoia. 
• Social problems, run-ins with the law, financial problems.

If you or your loved one is struggling with the addictive nature of cocaine and would like to end this habit, please contact us today to find out how we can help you through our therapy programs.