What Is Cocaine Addiction?

Cocaine addiction occurs because it is a powerful drug and produces an intense high. Cocaine rapidly changes your brain chemistry and causes immediate euphoria. When high, you have a compulsion to continue using despite consequences. Some addicts also use crack cocaine, because it is cheaper and easier to obtain.

As cocaine or crack use increases, the signs of cocaine addiction become more evident. Chronic cocaine use and addiction create relationship problems, financial instability, and legal trouble. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, "cocaine abusers and cocaine-exposed animals have difficulty adapting their behavior to avoid negative outcomes." This reality explains the cycle of addiction with which many cocaine addicts struggle.

Physical Effects of Cocaine Abuse:

Signs and Effects of Cocaine Addiction

If you feel like you need a line or bump of cocaine to begin your day, this may indicate that you are dependent on cocaine. When you are unable to feel normal unless you have cocaine in your system, you will use it regularly. Because cocaine is a stimulant you will develop insomnia from chronic use. Sleep deprivation will eventually lead to psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.

Cocaine addiction can bring you long-term health complications, social difficulties, and legal problems. Your behavior, sometimes dangerous, will revolve around obtaining and using cocaine. The dangers and the risks you take may be indications that you have a problem with cocaine.

Some behaviors and problems associated with cocaine addiction include:

• Carrying drug paraphernalia, pipes, straws
• Believing that you have superhuman powers
• Believing that there are bugs crawling on your skin
• Risky behavior leading to HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis B and C
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Mouth and finger burns from smoking crack
• Violent behavior
• Legal consequences, such as possession of the drug, driving while under the influence, public intoxication, fighting or not paying bills

As the amount you use and frequency of cocaine or crack use increases, the signs of cocaine addiction become more apparent. If you identified with any of these above characteristics, you should seek treatment immediately. We are here to answer your questions and get you help.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment – Get Help Now

The best thing to do when cocaine withdrawal sets in is to enter a medically supervised detox to ensure that you are safe and comfortable. You may need to take medication to help ease the withdrawal symptoms from cocaine. Immediately following detox, an addiction treatment center that offers a drug rehab program can provide you manage triggers and cravings. Recovery Connection is dedicated to finding you the help you need. We can connect you with an accredited rehab facility that provides you a medically supervised detox and a personalized treatment program for your cocaine addiction. Call our free helpline at 866.812.8231.

All of the content about cocaine addiction has been reviewed by Mark Gerges, MD.