What Is Cocaine Addiction?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Cocaine Is So AddictiveSigns and SymptomsCausesDiagnosisDetox and TreatmentBehavioral InterventionsHow to Find Help

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Why Cocaine Is So Addictive

Signs and Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Detox and Treatment

Behavioral Interventions

How to Find Help

Cocaine addiction accounts for roughly 6% of all drug rehab admissions in the United States. This addiction can be difficult to treat, and the majority of those seeking treatment for cocaine addiction are polydrug users (use more than one drug recreationally).

Cocaine addiction is not considered a behavioral problem—it is classified as asubstance use disorderin which biological, psychological, environmental, and genetic factors are thought to predispose a user to addiction.By recognizing the signs of addiction, those who are addicted can identify the problem, seek professional treatment, and experience lasting recovery.

Verywell / Laura Porter

When snorted, smoked, or injected, cocaine induces intense feelings of euphoria. Over time, however, the body alters its own natural patterns in terms of production and reuptake of the neurotransmitters. Tolerance to the drug develops and more and more cocaine is needed to achieve the desired effect.

As an individual develops tolerance to cocaine, they also become physically dependent on it. If the drug is discontinued, withdrawal symptoms, with physical effects, can occur. A strong craving for cocaine is the most prominent effect of withdrawal, but other symptoms usually occur as well.

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:

Crack CocaineAccording to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, around 68% of people seeking cocaine treatment regularly use crack cocaine.

Crack Cocaine

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, around 68% of people seeking cocaine treatment regularly use crack cocaine.

The signs of cocaine addiction extend beyond the physical symptoms and also involve emotional and behavioral changes.

Signs of cocaine addiction can include

Having drug paraphernalia, or other items for using cocaine in your home or apartment can be a sign of addiction too.

Symptoms of Crack UseSide effects that can develop as a result of smoking crack include coughing up blood, hoarseness, persistent sore throat, and shortness of breath.

Symptoms of Crack Use

Side effects that can develop as a result of smoking crack include coughing up blood, hoarseness, persistent sore throat, and shortness of breath.

Complications

There are a number of complications of cocaine addiction, and they can differ depending on your method of using the drug.

You may develop thinning or deterioration of the septum nasi (the septal cartilage in your nose) if you snort the drug. Injecting the drug can increase your risk of a serious skin infection, such as a bacterial staphylococcus infection.Cellulitis(a severe type of skin infection) and necrotizing fasciitis (destruction of the infected tissue), and a systemic infection can develop as well. Sharing needles can increase the risk of HIV and hepatitis B.

Cocaine use can also contribute to kidney injury and has been implicated in certain rheumatologic conditions.

The main complication of cocaine addiction is overdose, which results in cocaine toxicity. While cocaine can adversely affect every organ in the body, its most dangerous and life-threatening effects are on thecardiovascular system.

Tachycardia (rapid heart rate), arrhythmia (irregular heart rate or rhythm), andmalignant hypertension(severely high blood pressure) can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or death.Acute kidney failure(rather than slowly deteriorating kidney function) is a life-threatening emergency that’s also common with cocaine overdose.

When to Call 911Signs of cocaine overdose include:TremulousnessNausea, vomitingTachycardiaChest painHyperthermia (high body temperature)Seek emergency care if you experience any of the above symptoms. Cocaine toxicity can lead to death within a few hours.

When to Call 911

Signs of cocaine overdose include:TremulousnessNausea, vomitingTachycardiaChest painHyperthermia (high body temperature)Seek emergency care if you experience any of the above symptoms. Cocaine toxicity can lead to death within a few hours.

Signs of cocaine overdose include:

Seek emergency care if you experience any of the above symptoms. Cocaine toxicity can lead to death within a few hours.

Some people are more vulnerable to cocaine addiction than others. There is no way to predict who will develop cocaine addiction. With that said, studies have suggested that some groups are at the highest risk. These include people who also abuse alcohol and cannabis, as well as individuals who have depression.

While the reasons for the development of cocaine addiction are complex and not fully understood, cocaine addiction is associated with DeltaFosB, a protein that regulates the reward center of the brain. Chronic cocaine use impacts genes responsible for the expression of this substance.

As DeltaFosB levels continue to build, permanent changes in the brain affect the following structures :

The impairment of these cognitive centers can lead to the compulsive use of cocaine—with little to no regard for the consequences. The impairment of judgment and loss of impulse control further promotes high-risk behaviors, sometimes increasing the risk of accidents or exposure to infections like HIV andhepatitis C.

StatisticsThe National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that there are around 1.5 million current users of cocaine in the United States.

Statistics

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that there are around 1.5 million current users of cocaine in the United States.

Substance Use DisorderSubstance use disorder occurs when an individual continues to use a substance despite clinically significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.

Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorder occurs when an individual continues to use a substance despite clinically significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.

For a person to be diagnosed with stimulant use disorder, they must be more than just a user. For this diagnosis, a person must meet at least two of 11 criteria outlined in the DSM-5 within the previous 12 months.

The DSM-5 criteria for substance abuse disorder include the following:

The severity of the disorder can be classified as “mild” if two to three criteria are met, “moderate” if four to five are met, and “severe” if six or more are met. These classifications may help direct the most appropriate course of treatment.

Understanding Gambling Addiction

Unlike heroin and opioid drugs, there are no medications used to treat cocaine addiction. The treatment is focused on detoxification (also referred to as detox) and behavioral therapies. You might receive treatment with a pharmaceutical drug if you have a co-addiction that can be treated pharmacologically, such as an addiction to alcohol or opioids.

Treatment may be delivered on an outpatient basis, but treatment for cocaine addiction often requires a period of inpatient care in a treatment center, particularly since withdrawal symptoms can lead to depression and a variety of serious psychiatric symptoms.

Detoxification

Coming off cocaine is a process that may take several weeks. Some people who are trying to stop using cocaine may experience better outcomes from inpatient rehabilitation, especially because cocaine cravings can be intense during withdrawal, and relapse is common.

If you seek an inpatient program, you would be in a supervised setting where you are not able to obtain or use the drug. When you stop taking cocaine, you can experience severe withdrawal symptoms that need to be managed.

For example, you may need medication for the treatment of abrupt or severe changes in your blood pressure. You might need counseling, supervision, and medication if you develop depression and suicidal ideation.

Behavioral treatment includes psychotherapy and other psychosocial interventions. These approaches help to maintain abstinence from cocaine after detox. Often, behavioral therapy is initiated right when you begin detox, or even before you stop using the drug. And you might need to continue your behavioral treatment for months or even years after you stop using cocaine.

The goal of behavioral therapy is to avoid relapse or abusing or becoming addicted to another drug in the future and learning how to live a healthy and sober life. Different types of behavioral interventions that may be used in the treatment of cocaine addiction include:

Future Therapies

Emerging treatments that are being investigated may show promise in the treatment of cocaine addiction:

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357. SAMHSA also provides anonline treatment center location.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.

15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Drug Abuse.How is cocaine addiction treated?Karila L, Zarmdini R, Petit A, Lafaye G, Lowenstein W, Reynaud M.Addiction à la cocaïne : Données actuelles pour le clinicien [Cocaine addiction: Current data for the clinician].Presse Med. 2014 Jan;43(1):9-17. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2013.01.069MedlinePlus.Cocaine withdrawal.American Addiction Center.Signs of cocaine use and abuse.Bose N, Calabrese NH.Recognizing rheumatologic aspects of cocaine abuse: These syndromes often are confused and misdiagnosis results.The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine.2012;29(2):34.MedlinePlus.Cocaine intoxication.Dias NR, Lane SD, Rathnayaka N, Schmitz JM, Green CE.Demographic and psychological factors associated with lifetime cocaine use: An exploratory factor analysis of baseline questionnaires.Addict Disord Their Treat. 2015 Jun;14(2):70-77. doi:10.1097/adt.0000000000000046Parikh N, Nonnemacher MR, Pirrone V, Block T, Mehta A, Wigdahl B.Substance abuse, HIV-1 and hepatitis.Curr HIV Res.2012 Oct;10(7):557-71. doi:10.2174/157016212803306023National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is the scope of cocaine use in the United States?Hasin DS, O’Brien CP, Auriacombe M, Borges G, Bucholz K, Budney A, Compton WM, Crowley T, Ling W, Petry NM, Schuckit M, Grant BF.DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders: recommendations and rationale.Am J Psychiatry.2013 Aug;170(8):834-51. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.12060782Vujanovic AA, Meyer TD, Heads AM, Stotts AL, Villarreal YR, Schmitz JM.Cognitive-behavioral therapies for depression and substance use disorders: An overview of traditional, third-wave, and transdiagnostic approaches.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017 Jul;43(4):402-415. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1199697Dye MH, Roman PM, Knudsen HK, Johnson JA.The availability of integrated care in a national sample of therapeutic communities.J Behav Health Serv Res.2012 Jan;39(1):17-27. doi:10.1007/s11414-011-9251-1Orson FM, Wang R, Brimijoin S, Kinsey BM, Singh RA, Ramakrishnan M, Wang HY, Kosten TR.The future potential for cocaine vaccines.Expert Opin Biol Ther.2014 Sep;14(9):1271-83. doi:10.1517/14712598.2014.920319Maramai S, Gemma S, Brogi S, Campiani G, Butini S, Stark H, Brindisi M.Dopamine D3 Receptor Antagonists as Potential Therapeutics for the Treatment of Neurological Diseases.Front Neurosci. 2016 Oct 5;10:451. doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00451Pani PP, Trogu E, Vacca R, Amato L, Vecchi S, Davoli M.Disulfiram for the treatment of cocaine dependence.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jan 20;(1):CD007024. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007024.pub2

15 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Drug Abuse.How is cocaine addiction treated?Karila L, Zarmdini R, Petit A, Lafaye G, Lowenstein W, Reynaud M.Addiction à la cocaïne : Données actuelles pour le clinicien [Cocaine addiction: Current data for the clinician].Presse Med. 2014 Jan;43(1):9-17. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2013.01.069MedlinePlus.Cocaine withdrawal.American Addiction Center.Signs of cocaine use and abuse.Bose N, Calabrese NH.Recognizing rheumatologic aspects of cocaine abuse: These syndromes often are confused and misdiagnosis results.The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine.2012;29(2):34.MedlinePlus.Cocaine intoxication.Dias NR, Lane SD, Rathnayaka N, Schmitz JM, Green CE.Demographic and psychological factors associated with lifetime cocaine use: An exploratory factor analysis of baseline questionnaires.Addict Disord Their Treat. 2015 Jun;14(2):70-77. doi:10.1097/adt.0000000000000046Parikh N, Nonnemacher MR, Pirrone V, Block T, Mehta A, Wigdahl B.Substance abuse, HIV-1 and hepatitis.Curr HIV Res.2012 Oct;10(7):557-71. doi:10.2174/157016212803306023National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is the scope of cocaine use in the United States?Hasin DS, O’Brien CP, Auriacombe M, Borges G, Bucholz K, Budney A, Compton WM, Crowley T, Ling W, Petry NM, Schuckit M, Grant BF.DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders: recommendations and rationale.Am J Psychiatry.2013 Aug;170(8):834-51. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.12060782Vujanovic AA, Meyer TD, Heads AM, Stotts AL, Villarreal YR, Schmitz JM.Cognitive-behavioral therapies for depression and substance use disorders: An overview of traditional, third-wave, and transdiagnostic approaches.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017 Jul;43(4):402-415. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1199697Dye MH, Roman PM, Knudsen HK, Johnson JA.The availability of integrated care in a national sample of therapeutic communities.J Behav Health Serv Res.2012 Jan;39(1):17-27. doi:10.1007/s11414-011-9251-1Orson FM, Wang R, Brimijoin S, Kinsey BM, Singh RA, Ramakrishnan M, Wang HY, Kosten TR.The future potential for cocaine vaccines.Expert Opin Biol Ther.2014 Sep;14(9):1271-83. doi:10.1517/14712598.2014.920319Maramai S, Gemma S, Brogi S, Campiani G, Butini S, Stark H, Brindisi M.Dopamine D3 Receptor Antagonists as Potential Therapeutics for the Treatment of Neurological Diseases.Front Neurosci. 2016 Oct 5;10:451. doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00451Pani PP, Trogu E, Vacca R, Amato L, Vecchi S, Davoli M.Disulfiram for the treatment of cocaine dependence.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jan 20;(1):CD007024. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007024.pub2

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.How is cocaine addiction treated?Karila L, Zarmdini R, Petit A, Lafaye G, Lowenstein W, Reynaud M.Addiction à la cocaïne : Données actuelles pour le clinicien [Cocaine addiction: Current data for the clinician].Presse Med. 2014 Jan;43(1):9-17. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2013.01.069MedlinePlus.Cocaine withdrawal.American Addiction Center.Signs of cocaine use and abuse.Bose N, Calabrese NH.Recognizing rheumatologic aspects of cocaine abuse: These syndromes often are confused and misdiagnosis results.The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine.2012;29(2):34.MedlinePlus.Cocaine intoxication.Dias NR, Lane SD, Rathnayaka N, Schmitz JM, Green CE.Demographic and psychological factors associated with lifetime cocaine use: An exploratory factor analysis of baseline questionnaires.Addict Disord Their Treat. 2015 Jun;14(2):70-77. doi:10.1097/adt.0000000000000046Parikh N, Nonnemacher MR, Pirrone V, Block T, Mehta A, Wigdahl B.Substance abuse, HIV-1 and hepatitis.Curr HIV Res.2012 Oct;10(7):557-71. doi:10.2174/157016212803306023National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is the scope of cocaine use in the United States?Hasin DS, O’Brien CP, Auriacombe M, Borges G, Bucholz K, Budney A, Compton WM, Crowley T, Ling W, Petry NM, Schuckit M, Grant BF.DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders: recommendations and rationale.Am J Psychiatry.2013 Aug;170(8):834-51. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.12060782Vujanovic AA, Meyer TD, Heads AM, Stotts AL, Villarreal YR, Schmitz JM.Cognitive-behavioral therapies for depression and substance use disorders: An overview of traditional, third-wave, and transdiagnostic approaches.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017 Jul;43(4):402-415. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1199697Dye MH, Roman PM, Knudsen HK, Johnson JA.The availability of integrated care in a national sample of therapeutic communities.J Behav Health Serv Res.2012 Jan;39(1):17-27. doi:10.1007/s11414-011-9251-1Orson FM, Wang R, Brimijoin S, Kinsey BM, Singh RA, Ramakrishnan M, Wang HY, Kosten TR.The future potential for cocaine vaccines.Expert Opin Biol Ther.2014 Sep;14(9):1271-83. doi:10.1517/14712598.2014.920319Maramai S, Gemma S, Brogi S, Campiani G, Butini S, Stark H, Brindisi M.Dopamine D3 Receptor Antagonists as Potential Therapeutics for the Treatment of Neurological Diseases.Front Neurosci. 2016 Oct 5;10:451. doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00451Pani PP, Trogu E, Vacca R, Amato L, Vecchi S, Davoli M.Disulfiram for the treatment of cocaine dependence.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jan 20;(1):CD007024. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007024.pub2

National Institute on Drug Abuse.How is cocaine addiction treated?

Karila L, Zarmdini R, Petit A, Lafaye G, Lowenstein W, Reynaud M.Addiction à la cocaïne : Données actuelles pour le clinicien [Cocaine addiction: Current data for the clinician].Presse Med. 2014 Jan;43(1):9-17. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2013.01.069

MedlinePlus.Cocaine withdrawal.

American Addiction Center.Signs of cocaine use and abuse.

Bose N, Calabrese NH.Recognizing rheumatologic aspects of cocaine abuse: These syndromes often are confused and misdiagnosis results.The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine.2012;29(2):34.

MedlinePlus.Cocaine intoxication.

Dias NR, Lane SD, Rathnayaka N, Schmitz JM, Green CE.Demographic and psychological factors associated with lifetime cocaine use: An exploratory factor analysis of baseline questionnaires.Addict Disord Their Treat. 2015 Jun;14(2):70-77. doi:10.1097/adt.0000000000000046

Parikh N, Nonnemacher MR, Pirrone V, Block T, Mehta A, Wigdahl B.Substance abuse, HIV-1 and hepatitis.Curr HIV Res.2012 Oct;10(7):557-71. doi:10.2174/157016212803306023

National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is the scope of cocaine use in the United States?

Hasin DS, O’Brien CP, Auriacombe M, Borges G, Bucholz K, Budney A, Compton WM, Crowley T, Ling W, Petry NM, Schuckit M, Grant BF.DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders: recommendations and rationale.Am J Psychiatry.2013 Aug;170(8):834-51. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.12060782

Vujanovic AA, Meyer TD, Heads AM, Stotts AL, Villarreal YR, Schmitz JM.Cognitive-behavioral therapies for depression and substance use disorders: An overview of traditional, third-wave, and transdiagnostic approaches.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017 Jul;43(4):402-415. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1199697

Dye MH, Roman PM, Knudsen HK, Johnson JA.The availability of integrated care in a national sample of therapeutic communities.J Behav Health Serv Res.2012 Jan;39(1):17-27. doi:10.1007/s11414-011-9251-1

Orson FM, Wang R, Brimijoin S, Kinsey BM, Singh RA, Ramakrishnan M, Wang HY, Kosten TR.The future potential for cocaine vaccines.Expert Opin Biol Ther.2014 Sep;14(9):1271-83. doi:10.1517/14712598.2014.920319

Maramai S, Gemma S, Brogi S, Campiani G, Butini S, Stark H, Brindisi M.Dopamine D3 Receptor Antagonists as Potential Therapeutics for the Treatment of Neurological Diseases.Front Neurosci. 2016 Oct 5;10:451. doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00451

Pani PP, Trogu E, Vacca R, Amato L, Vecchi S, Davoli M.Disulfiram for the treatment of cocaine dependence.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jan 20;(1):CD007024. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007024.pub2

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