Did you know that over 27 million people in the United States are estimated to have used cocaine at some point in their lives? Provided by the United States Department of Justice, this statistic reveals that cocaine still maintains a strong grip in our culture. In fact, nearly one in 5 drug overdose deaths in 2017 were cocaine-related, shares the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. Therefore, if you’re wondering whether your friend or loved one is abusing cocaine, you need to learn the telltale signs of cocaine addiction. After all, an addiction to cocaine can lead to some devastating consequences if left untreated.
Cocaine Addiction, Explained
First created from the coca plant in the mid-1800s, cocaine as a substance has been a constant presence in our world for decades upon decades. From its initial use in medicine to becoming a go-to illegal street drug in the 1980s through today, cocaine is still incredibly popular. According to Statista.com, cocaine was the second most-used illicit drug in the US as of 2022, behind marijuana.
Known as blow, icing, crack, coke, dust, white rock, nose candy, and other names on the street, cocaine commonly takes the form of white powder or crystals. It’s usually snorted or smoked, though some people will directly inject it into their bodies with a needle.
As a stimulant, cocaine impacts your central nervous system. Almost immediately after using it, you experience an increase in energy and a state of euphoria. These effects typically only last for less than an hour, however. Afterwards, there’s often a comedown associated with unpleasant symptoms like irritability and body aches. This is part of the reason why cocaine has a high dependence potential, shares Healthline.com.
When you use cocaine, your brain releases increased amounts of dopamine, your body’s pleasure chemical. Signifying reward, this dopamine rush leaves you wanting to seek out more cocaine to experience these pleasurable effects again. Consequently, people will often use cocaine as a regular coping mechanism for daily stressors or anxiety. Yet the more you use cocaine, the more you build up a tolerance for it. After a while, the dopamine rush isn’t as euphoric as it used to be, so you need to use more cocaine to replicate it. This leads to an eventual addiction and the marked signs of a cocaine addict.
What are the Common Signs of Cocaine Addiction?
A cocaine user can be what’s called a high-functioning drug addict, as the addiction can remain hidden for a time. However, as the addiction takes over your life, it becomes more and more noticeable, affecting your relationships, work, and health. Maybe you’ve noticed something different about your loved one that’s cause for concern. If so, here are some of the signs of cocaine addiction to pay attention to moving forward:
Physical Signs of Cocaine Addiction
- High blood pressure and heart rate
- Dilated pupils
- Appetite changes
- Sleep difficulties
- Sweating excessively
- Chronic runny nose or nose bleeds
- Feverish chills
- Loss of smell
- Weight loss
- Twitching muscles
- Raised body temperature
Behavioral & Psychological Signs of Cocaine Addiction
- Unprovoked aggression
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Bad decisions
- A lack of steady employment
- Dramatic mood swings
- Quickened speech
- Withdrawal and isolation from loved ones
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Light or sound sensitivities
- Delusions, psychosis, and hallucinations
- Poor hygiene
- Lack of interest in favorite activities or hobbies
- Dishonesty
- Needing to borrow money
- Stealing money
Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Addiction
Based on the lists above, is your loved one showing the signs of cocaine addiction? If so, you need to encourage them to get help. After all, the last thing you should do is nothing. Otherwise, your loved one can experience some serious long-term consequences over time if their addiction persists, including:
- Liver, kidney, and heart damage
- High blood pressure
- Bleeding ulcers
- Stroke
- Seizures
- Cardiac arrest
- Total loss of smell
- Irreversible brain damage
- Malnutrition
- Hepatitis or HIV
- Bowel gangrene
- Poor immune system functioning
- Career ruin
- Debilitating financial struggles
- Relationship loss
- Legal troubles
Signs of Cocaine Addiction Withdrawal
If your loved one is experiencing symptoms of cocaine addiction, they need to make some serious changes in their life. However, quitting cocaine as an addict isn’t simply about stopping drug use and changing your behaviors. Even if your loved one attempts to quit cocaine on their own, it’s likely they’ll struggle with cocaine withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Nightmares or vivid dreams
- Depression
- Muscle aches
- Tremors
- Nerve pain
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Chronic uneasiness
- Slowed cognitive abilities
When faced with the difficult signs of cocaine addiction withdrawal, it becomes all too easy for an addict to turn back to cocaine to find relief. As a result, your loved one needs to seek professional help to give them the best chance of overcoming cocaine addiction for the long haul.
Find Healing from Drug Abuse at Integrative Life Center
With a cocaine addiction, your loved one has formed a physical reliance on the drug that’s difficult to break. That’s why they need to work with a professional drug addiction treatment facility to achieve healing under the supervision of medical and addiction experts.
At Integrative Life Center, we provide comprehensive, personalized cocaine addiction treatment in the heart of Music City in Nashville, TN. Whether it’s residential treatment, partial hospitalization programming (PHP), or intensive outpatient therapy (IOP), we provide a continuum of care to help your loved one find freedom from drug addiction. To learn more, contact us now.
