Cocaine, also referred to as coke or blow, is a dangerous stimulant that is sold on the streets for the purpose of achieving a high. Cocaine can be found in both powdered and crack rock form.

Understanding Cocaine Abuse

Learn More About Cocaine Addiction

Powdered cocaine is abused by snorting it or liquefying the powder and injecting it with needles into your veins. Crack cocaine is consumed by heating the rock in a pipe and inhaling the smoke. The high resulting from cocaine varies depending on the method in which it is consumed, but injection produces the fastest and most intense high.

The high achieved from cocaine use lasts only a short amount of time which causes the addict to continuously use large amounts of the drug in order to maintain the high. When first consumed, an individual will experience a rush of delightful feelings. After a short period of time the good feelings dissipate and the addict is left in a state of depression and exhaustion, also called a crash. In order to avoid the negative symptoms brought on by a crash, individuals will take more cocaine. This pattern of abuse is called the “binge and crash” cycle.

Cocaine addiction is caused by the changes in the structure and function of the brain. When used, cocaine affects the central nervous system, increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which causes the intense rush addicts feel. Eventually cocaine stops the body from naturally producing dopamine in the brain and preventing it from being recycled back into the brain cells. When this occurs it means an individual has built up a tolerance. At this point the individual will require more and more cocaine in order to experience the good feelings they initially had.

Cocaine addiction can be a terrible burden to carry. With the right treatments and rehab, an addiction to coke can be overcome. Park Royal Hospital is ready to help you fight your addiction and come out the other side victorious.

Statistics

Statistics of Cocaine Addiction

It is estimated that about 1.9 million people in the United States use cocaine each month. Adults between the ages of 18-25 years report higher rates of cocaine usage with 1.5% reporting cocaine usage in the last month. Additionally, it has been reported that more men abuse cocaine each month than women.

Causes

Causes and Risk Factors for Cocaine Abuse

It is most likely that many factors such as genetic, environmental, biological, and psychological factors that work together to cause the development of a cocaine addiction. Some of the most common theories include:

Genetic: Research has consistently shown that individuals with relatives who have addiction problems are more likely to develop an addiction themselves. The chances are higher if it is a first-degree relative like a parent. This theory suggest that there is a gene responsible for addiction development that is passed down through the generations.

Biological: Biological factors like changes in the structure and function of the brain have also been linked to addiction problems. When dopamine levels in the brain are low, an individual may abuse substances such as cocaine in order to make up for the lack of neurotransmitters in the brain. Additionally, structural changes in the brain may lead to the development of addiction as each individual reacts differently to stimuli.

Environmental: It has been hypothesized that individuals who have come from unstable home environments have a greater chance of developing an addiction problem because they have come to normalize the abuse of substances. Additionally, life stressors such as child abuse, death of loved ones, or other traumatic events cause stress and individuals turn to substance abuse as a type of self-medication. Due to modeling they have come to learn that using substances to cope with painful emotions is acceptable behavior.

Psychological: Addiction often co-occurs with other mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety. When an individual struggles with these disorders, they may turn to substances to self-medicate the symptoms, which can lead to addiction.

Signs

Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Abuse

Signs and symptoms of cocaine abuse will vary among individuals. The following is a list of some common signs and symptoms of cocaine abuse:

Mood symptoms:

Anxiety
Depression
Restlessness
Feelings of superiority
Euphoria
Panic
Irritation
Fearfulness

Behavioral symptoms:

Extremely talkative
Lethargic
More aggressive
Sudden changes in friends
Increased energy
Stealing or borrowing money
Erratic, bizarre behaviors
Violence
Abandonment of activities once enjoyed
Reckless and risky behaviors

Physical symptoms:

Decreased need for sleep while high
Increased need for sleep after usage
Headaches
Increase in body temperature
Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Decreased appetite
Dilated pupils
Muscle twitches
Malnutrition
Abnormal heart rhythms
Constriction of blood vessels
Chronically runny nose
Nosebleeds
Nasal perforation
Hoarseness
Sexual dysfunction
Gangrene of the bowel
Risks for HIV
Hepatitis and other blood borne pathogens
Tremors
Cravings

Psychological symptoms:

Intense paranoia
Psychosis
Unable to exert good judgment
Rationalization of drug use
Lack of motivation
Violent mood swings
Hallucination
Break from reality

Effects

Effects of Cocaine Abuse

Prolonged cocaine abuse takes a toll on an individual’s life. The longer the abuse goes on the more effects an individual is going to face. Some common side effects of cocaine abuse may include:

Anxiety
Depression
Psychosis
Poor work or school performance
Changes in heart rhythms
Blood borne disease
Legal problems
Unemployment
Marriage problems or divorce
Social isolation
Incarceration
Money issues
Coma
Heart attack
Stroke
Death

Co-Occurring Disorders

Learn About Co-Occurring Disorders

For individuals that are struggling with addiction disorders it is most often the case that they are experiencing another co-occurring disorder. Some of the most common co-occurring disorders may include:

Anxiety disorders
Additional substance abuse disorders
Depression
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Antisocial personality disorder
Conduct disorder

Effects of Withdrawal

Effects of Withdrawal from Cocaine

Withdrawal from cocaine is usually not serious, but it produces a number of unpleasant side effects. Symptoms generally only last for about a week or two and may include the following: