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How Addictive is Cocaine?

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes

Discover why cocaine is highly addictive, from its intense euphoria to the risks of combining it with other drugs.

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Cocaine, a white powder, stimulates the central nervous system when it comes into contact with it. The most popular method of administration is through snorting, although it may also be smoked, a technique called freebasing, or injected after being diluted in water. Cocaine goes by several names, including coke, blow, and powder.

Even though many continue to be lured to cocaine despite widespread knowledge of its addictive properties, the drug continues to be popular. It’s estimated that 1,800 people in the United States use Cocaine for the first time every day.

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Understanding Cocaine's Grip

Why is Cocaine so Addictive?

Numerous factors contribute to Cocaine’s addictive nature. The pleasure it provides, mainly to frequent users, is a significant factor. Regular cocaine usage increases brain dopamine levels, leading to an increase in positive emotions.

Cocaine is a fast-acting stimulant with several adverse psychological and physiological effects, including the induction of a false sense of confidence in its users. In the following, we will go into further depth on the factors that contribute to the addictive qualities of cocaine.

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1. Reward Power

Positive reinforcement is a psychological phenomenon that contributes to the development of various addictions, including cocaine dependence. Providing a reward in exchange for the desired behavior is referred to as constructive feedback.

Cocaine usage is associated with a variety of consequences that many individuals like. Cocaine may make you experience a wide range of emotions by activating the brain’s reward circuits and triggering the release of dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” neurotransmitter.

Cocaine alters neurotransmitter activation, but recent research also discovered that addiction to the drug alters a person’s DNA, which may lead to physical dependence.

The substance stimulates the expression of genes encoding the protein delta-FosB, which in turn enables the creation of the GluR2 subunit of glutamate receptors, allowing the neurotransmitter glutamate to attach to these receptors.

Enhanced binding to glutamate receptors is a physical alteration that reinforces cocaine use because of the drug’s pleasurable effects.

Many individuals get addicted to cocaine because of its extraordinary or joyful impact on their lives. Unfortunately, when this happens, the person is at risk of developing a dependency.

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2. A Quick Burst Of Energy

Cocaine produces rapid and severe euphoria, but only for a short time. However, you’ll likely experience its effects shortly after snorting it, typically lasting for 20 to 30 minutes.

Due to the potency of the rush and the ‘pleasurable’ sensation described above, once the effects wear off after half an hour, the individual may feel compelled to consume it again as immediately as possible.

Tolerance to cocaine develops rapidly, increasing the severity of the drug’s harmful effects, including the withdrawal process. Because of this, users must increase the quantity and frequency of their cocaine use to maintain the same high.

Consequently, this may heighten their tolerance for the drug and make dealing with withdrawal symptoms more challenging.

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3. Potential to Combine with Other Dangerous Substances

Combining cocaine with other addictive drugs is common. These might include morphine, methamphetamine, or even alcohol. This may heighten the sense of pleasure experienced while using cocaine, further increasing the likelihood that you will continue to do so until it becomes necessary for you to sustain essential life functions.

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4. Bypassing Withdrawal

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of other substances in that they might occur if you suddenly stop using the drug or are unable to get it. A few examples of them are:

  • Exhaustion.

  • Nightmares. 

  • Nervousness.

  • Worry.

  • Depression.

  • Negative thoughts.

  • Extreme cocaine dependence and cravings.

Some individuals who use cocaine may feel forced to continue using it to escape the painful and severe withdrawal symptoms they encounter when they quit. Unfortunately, due to this never-ending pattern of abuse, individuals are more prone to develop a substance use disorder.

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Cocaine's Impact Beyond the High

The Aftermath of Cocaine Use

As an illicit drug, cocaine usage in any form is regarded to be abusive. Cocaine is a stimulant drug that has profound effects on the brain. It does this by increasing the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in the sensation of satisfaction and the desire for more.

Cocaine abuse may have devastating long-term consequences for every system in the body. It has long-lasting consequences, including the alteration of protein and cellular DNA.

Cocaine use has other consequences, such as:

  • Joy.

  • Attention.

  • Stress.

  • Recklessness.

The strength and length of cocaine’s effects can vary depending on the drug’s use. Nasal administration has effects that wear off within 15-30 minutes. Cocaine is more potent when smoked or injected, but the effects only last around 5-10 minutes.

Cocaine addicts often take many doses each day to keep feeling high. One is more likely to overdose if the substance is injected rather than snorted.

Constant usage of cocaine increases the risk of cardiovascular problems. Regular users are more vulnerable to cardiovascular problems like stroke and sudden death.

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Navigating Cocaine and Polydrug Use

Cocaine and Other Stimulants

Most first-time cocaine users experiment in social settings when several drugs are being used. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for individuals addicted to cocaine to simultaneously depend on other substances.

Overdose deaths are more likely to occur when different drugs are used simultaneously. Hence this practice is known as “poly-drug usage.”

Many people who use cocaine also drink, which might trigger relapse for those who have only been sober for a short period. Since this is the case, staying clean from drugs is crucial throughout rehabilitation. Speedballs, which consist of heroin and cocaine, are among the most lethal drug combos possible.

Conclusion

Rehabilitation from Cocaine Addiction

Detoxification is frequently the initial step in treating cocaine addiction. Patients undergoing drug detox will be watched by medical staff, who will assist them in coping with the unpleasant effects of withdrawal. After detox, most people join an inpatient or residential treatment center where they may focus on their rehabilitation around the clock.

Whether you’re trying to recover from your cocaine addiction or are trying to aid a loved one through theirs, the process may seem overwhelming. However, those who abuse cocaine but cannot kick the habit may benefit from one of the many treatment options available.

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Written By:

Dr. Saman Aftab, Ph.D.

Dr. Saman Aftab, Mental Health write at Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Dr. Saman is a mental health writer with over six years of experience in freelance writing, editing, and proofreading. She is a practicing healthcare professional holding a doctorate in physical therapy at DOW University of Health Sciences. Dr. Saman started content writing to blend her passion for writing and medicine with her extensive clinical experience.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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