Cocaine is an illegal stimulant drug that causes short-term feelings of energy and euphoria. According to the CDC, in 2020, 5.3 million individuals reported cocaine use within the past 12 months. (1) With 0.5% of Americans receiving the diagnosis of cocaine use disorder in 2020, cocaine use seems to be a rising epidemic. (2)

With so many yearly users, individuals may ask themselves is cocaine addictive? Addiction refers to the complex interaction involving the brain’s  reward system, causing individuals to engage in compulsive drug seeking. Addiction is a medical condition that leads to individuals engaging in substance use despite the negative consequences associated with it. Cocaine is a highly addictive substance and can lead to substance use disorder. A single use of cocaine can lead to addiction in many individuals. 25 percent of individuals who begin cocaine use develop a dependence to the drug. (3)

Luckily, cocaine use disorder is treatable. If you suspect that you or a loved one has developed an addiction to cocaine, receiving treatment is imperative in combating dependency. Guardian Recovery Network offers comprehensive and evidence-based care for those struggling with substance use disorders. With dual diagnosis options for individuals with an additional mental health diagnosis, Guardian Recovery Network is dedicated to aiding individuals in developing adaptive coping strategies to live a substance free lifestyle.

How Does Cocaine Use Lead to Addiction & Dependence

Cocaine addiction, or cocaine use disorder, leads an individual being unable to control their use or cravings for the drug. Why is cocaine addictive? Well, due to addiction being extremely complex, there are different factors that lead to cocaine dependence.

Cocaine & The Brain

As a stimulant, cocaine increases the speed of messages from the body to the brain. Cocaine causes the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, and for it to linger in the brain. (4) Dopamine is released when one experiences pleasure, and is known as the feel good chemical in the brain. Cocaine use has been found to cause the brain to change, and destroys brain cells. (5) Cocaine can affect the stress circuits in the brain, making it more likely for individuals to crave cocaine when experiencing stressful situations or stress related disorders. (6)

Tolerance Development

When discussing addiction, it is important to understand how the brain and the body is able to build tolerance. (7) Tolerance refers to the need to take larger amounts of a substance to produce the same feelings elicited during past use. Tolerance develops over time, but starts to emerge during the first use. Developing a tolerance for cocaine can lead to accidental overdose as an individual tries to experience the effects of the drug. The CDC reported that there were 24, 538 deaths in 2021 due to cocaine overdose. (8)

Signs and symptoms of cocaine overdose include: (9)

• Blurred vision
• Delusions
• Paranoia
• Headache
• Hypothermia
• Chest pain
• Seizures

Cocaine overdose is a serious medical condition. Seek medical attention if you or a loved one experience any of the above symptoms, or suspect that you are experiencing a cocaine overdose.

Short-Term High

Cocaine can be used in the methods of inhaling through the nose, smoking, and intravenous injections. The way that you ingest cocaine determines the timeframe in which you feel the effects. Inhaling through the nose, or snorting, produces the shortest most intense high, lasting 15 to 30 minutes. (11) While smoking cocaine produces a high the lasts 5 to 10 minutes. These short-term highs lead to a pattern of behavior focused on experiencing a better high. This leads to repeated uses and engaging in using multiple doses. Repeated use and increasing dosages increases the likelihood of an individual developing cocaine dependence.

Mixing Cocaine & Other Substances

Individuals experiencing substance use may be tempted to combine substances. In 2019, 50 percent of drug overdoses involved more than one substance. (12)  Due to cocaine’s addictive properties and side effects, mixing it with other substances can lead to increased dependence and dangerous health outcomes. Individuals may mix cocaine with other substances to increase, lengthen, and heighten the effects of the drug.

Common substance that are often mixed with cocaine include: (13)

• Alcohol: Mixing alcohol and cocaine can lead to the development of cocaethylene in the liver, resulting in negative effects to the heart, liver, and other parts of the body. Mixing alcohol and cocaine can also lead to high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack.
• Opioids: Mixing cocaine and opiods, such as heroin, can lead to fatal consequences. Opioids depress the central nervous system, while cocaine stimulates it. These opposite effects can lead to difficulties breathing and an elevated heart rate.
• MDMA: Mixing cocaine and MDMA can increase and exacerbate the symptoms of cocaine. Both cocaine and MDMA are stimulants. Taking two stimulants at one time can lead to heart problems and increase your chances of developing cocaine-induced psychosis.
• Antidepressants: Taking antidepressants while using cocaine can lead to higher chances of developing serotonin syndrome, or excessive serotonin in the brain. Combining antidepressants and cocaine can lead to tremors, elevated heart rate, seizures, and death.

Physical Cocaine Dependence

As the brain continues to adjust to the chemical changes due to cocaine use, the body develops a physical dependence. A physical cocaine dependence refers to the cravings that develop due to chronic or excessive use. A physical dependence of cocaine occurs once you need to ingest a larger amount of cocaine in order to reach the desired high, and experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop.

Withdrawal symptoms associated with cocaine use include:

• Difficulties falling and staying asleep.
• Mood swings.
• Restlessness.
• Excessive fatigue.
• Lack of motivation.
• Drug cravings.

Cocaine withdrawal can last for weeks at a time, so it is recommended that treatment is seeked in order to appropriately deal with the physical and psychological symptoms associated with it.

Psychological Addiction

The elevation of dopamine due to cocaine use leads to changes in the brain’s reward processing. An individual who is dependent on cocaine may lose interest in activities that they used to enjoy and only focus on obtaining and using more cocaine.

Contact Us to Learn More

Here at Guardian Recovery Network, we provide help for those experiencing cocaine addiction. With multiple levels of treatment from inpatient, intensive outpatient, and aftercare planning, we pride ourselves on professional care.

With therapeutic and psychoeducation treatment options, Guardian Recovery Network will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan. Our Treatment Advisors are ready to hear from you. Contact us today to receive a free, no obligation insurance benefits check.