Cocaine is addictive because it causes a rush in the brain of dopamine, which increases pleasure feelings. Cocaine can be difficult to quit because it alters the chemical composition of your brain.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 14 percent of Americans aged 12 and over have taken cocaine in their lives. There has also been a 29 per cent increase in deaths from cocaine overdoses between 2001 and 2013.
You can inject, smoke or snort cocaine. The effects of cocaine are usually brief, depending on how they are administered. Typically, the high lasts between 5 to 30 minutes. The euphoric effects of cocaine use don’t last long so it is often used in combination to prolong the high.
Tolerance and dependence can be quickly developed by consistent use. It is easy to become addicted to cocaine by feeling the need for more. Cocaine can make an individual more talkative, hyperactive, and may have a reduced appetite. The drug also increases blood pressure and heart beat, causing an increase in energy and better ability to stay awake.
It is possible to experience a crash period of heavy eating or sleeping when it is gone.
Cocaine Addiction: Physical Signs
It can be difficult to determine if a loved one is addicted to cocaine. A suspected addiction can be categorized on a scale from mild to severe. This is determined by the impact that cocaine use has had on an individual’s lives.
The body can suffer both psychological and physical effects from cocaine addiction. These are the 13 signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction you should be looking out for.
- Dilated pupils
- Runny nose
- Weight loss
- Nose bleeds
- Lips and hands with burn marks
- Poor hygiene
- Needle marks
- Temperature increases
- Tremors
- Sight loss
- Trouble swallowing
- Malnourishment
- Headaches
You should also be aware that there are psychological signs and behavior associated with cocaine addiction.
- Mood swings
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Violent or erratic behavior
- Restlessness
- Personal and professional issues
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Cocaine withdrawal symptoms
The withdrawal symptoms that occur when the drug is not present are another sign of a cocaine dependency. The brain becomes unable or unwilling to produce regular dopamine levels due to the high dopamine levels in cocaine. This causes the desire to continue using, despite adverse consequences.
Sometimes withdrawal symptoms appear as soon as the drug is gone. They are usually more psychological than they are physical. There are many stages to withdrawal. The worst symptoms can occur within the first month of stopping drug use. While every person’s withdrawal journey is different, there are some common symptoms.
- After 1-3 hours
- Irritability
- Appetite increases
- Anxiety
- Week 1
- Want to satisfy your cravings?
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Weeks 2-4
- Continue to feel depressed and filled with cravings
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Weeks 5-10
- You may notice withdrawal symptoms diminishing over time.
- Anxiety could return
Cocaine Addiction and its Health Impacts
Along with withdrawal symptoms and signs of addiction, long-term health effects can result in permanent damage to the body. Long-term effects of cocaine use can have a negative impact on the heart, lungs and brain as well as the kidneys and gastrointestinal system. There are potential for individuals to experience:
- Rapid breathing
- Elevated heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Vein collapse
- Skin infections
- Infections of the soft tissue
- Decay of the intestines
- Asthma
- Movement disorders
- A higher chance of getting respiratory infections such as pneumonia
- Coma
These side effects can lead to stroke or heart attack. Overdosing can also be dangerous and could result in death within a matter of minutes. The frequency and intensity of cocaine use will greatly affect the severity of its effects.
It is important to immediately seek professional help if you suspect that you are suffering from cocaine addiction. Don’t wait to get professional help, as the consequences of cocaine addiction could prove fatal.
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- Faith-based addiction recovery
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