Signs of Cocaine Addiction Everyone Should Know
Share This Blog
Did you know that almost 1.9 million people are current cocaine users?
Drug addiction is a serious issue that affects millions of people around the world.
It can be hard to spot addiction, especially when it comes to cocaine use. People may try to hide their habit or deny they have a problem, but there are tell-tale signs that could indicate someone has an addiction.
Knowing the signs of cocaine addiction is essential for anyone who suspects a loved one might be struggling with substance abuse. By understanding these warning signs and taking action quickly, you can help your loved one get the help they need before it’s too late.
Keep reading to find out all of the signs of cocaine addiction you need to know.
Understanding Cocaine
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that creates feelings of euphoria and alertness. It’s also highly addictive and can quickly lead to dependence. Cocaine is commonly snorted, injected, or smoked in the form of crack cocaine.
On the street, cocaine is often cut or diluted with other substances like cornstarch, talcum powder, and sugar. These fillers can be dangerous and put users at risk of serious health consequences.
Causes and Risk Factors for Cocaine
Now that you understand cocaine, it’s important to know that there are risk factors and causes of addiction. The most common causes of cocaine addiction include:
Genetic
Addiction has been a difficult problem for many families, as known due to its tendency to be passed down through generations. However, recent research has revealed that this may not be entirely due to learned behaviors - or in other words, the environment children are raised in - but the potential role of genetics could also be playing an important factor.
By studying groups of people who have a family history of addiction, researchers have been able to determine that those individuals are more likely to develop an addiction themselves.
While this does not imply any predestination or lack of choice in terms of becoming addicted, it should serve as an awareness to those who might be at risk and should always take extra caution with managing their addictions and surrounding themselves with positive influences.
Environmental Factors
Living in an environment where drug use is considered the norm can have devastating consequences. Seeing it as an acceptable behavior can lead to users feeling as if they have free reign to experiment and justify their use of drugs.
Furthermore, these environments often lack the necessary support that can enable strategies that reduce drug use and enable individuals to overcome addiction.
While often these environments seem like they make the issue of addiction easier, they can quickly become part of the reason a person becomes addicted or enters the cycle of substance abuse and dependence.
Brain Chemistry
Just one hit of cocaine can alter an individual’s neurotransmitter balance. It does so in a way that increases the craving for more.
Chemical receptors become desensitized to those dopamine-rich signals, increasing addiction risk over time as an individual becomes used to higher doses and longer intoxication effects.
This is especially true for users repeatedly using cocaine, leading to a cascade of increasingly dangerous pathologies tied to a chemical imbalance in their brains. It’s important to recognize the impact of cocaine on one’s brain chemistry and its potential consequences.
Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues are a very real and serious concern for many people around the world. Depression and anxiety have become far too common diagnoses, with millions of individuals feeling the weight of such ailments.
Regrettably, it is thought that those suffering from such mental health issues – namely depression and anxiety – are more predisposed to developing an addiction to cocaine or other illicit substances.
This not only further harms their overall health, but serves as a reminder that mental health should be taken seriously before one’s situation spirals out of control. Those who suffer from mental health have available resources.
Therefore, recognizing the need for help and utilization of these services is paramount in combating any cocaine addiction tendencies these individuals may struggle with.
Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Now that you know the causes and risk factors of cocaine addiction, it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms. Here are some common signs that someone may be struggling with an addiction to cocaine:
Unexplained Weight Loss
Unexplained weight loss can be a sign of a serious issue, such as an addiction to certain drugs. Cocaine is one drug that causes users to lose weight quickly.
While some people may seek out cocaine for the initial burst of energy it provides, it also has dangerous side effects that can have long-term implications on a person's health, such as suppressing appetite and not giving them the inclination to eat.
People who are using cocaine excessively might experience rapid and unexplained weight loss, whether they realize they are addicted or not - and this can be an alarming warning sign of addiction.
Mood Swings
Commonly associated with addiction, substance-induced mood swings can be debilitating and come with a range of damaging physical and mental effects. When caused by cocaine, it affects an individual's brain chemistry by increasing dopamine and serotonin activities.
The result is a short-term feeling of euphoria which quickly dissipates and plunges the user into a dark emotional state where they may experience extreme irritability, aggression, and other negative emotions.
These intense mood swings can last from several minutes to several hours, depending on how much depth the individual has gone into with their drug usage.
As such, if someone you know is struggling with cocaine addiction, it's important to have them get help as soon as possible; not just for safety reasons but so that they can get back to being their old self again.
Financial Problems
Financial problems can cause a lot of stress and anxiety and make it very difficult to lead a normal life. They are particularly concerned when people struggle with an addiction, as they may not have the resources or clarity of mind necessary to manage their finances responsibly.
Unfortunately, this can easily spiral out of control, leaving those in debt overwhelmed by their financial obligations and no clear path forward. Individuals struggling with both addiction and financial issues must seek help as soon as possible to get back on track.
A qualified financial advisor can provide advice tailored to the individual's situation and put in place measures to stop the downward spiral of debt. With adequate support, getting one's finances in order can be achievable, even if it seems insurmountable for the time being.
Depression After a Bing-Crash Cycle of Abuse
Feeling low, dismal, and hopeless are all common symptoms of depression. Those with a cocaine addiction may experience depression after a binge-crash cycle, as the extreme highs can leave them with an empty feeling and deeper lows.
The binging often leads to financial strain and increased feelings of guilt, shame, and remorse. These emotions can follow into periods of depression that make it difficult to stay focused, motivated, and engaged in life.
It becomes even more challenging when a person is in an abusive environment or relationship. Addressing the underlying abuse as well as the addiction is essential for finding mental health balance for those struggling with this double-sided issue.
Inability to Stop Drug Use
Substance use disorder can have a powerful grip on a person's life. When drug use is no longer considered recreational—when it's something that cannot be stopped despite attempts to do so—it's a sign of addiction.
At this point, professional help might be required to break the cycle of substance abuse. It can take substantial courage, awareness, and determination to reach out for assistance, but doing so and making that important commitment is an essential part of recovery from addiction.
Seeking help from a trusted medical or mental health professional is always worth the effort; there are ample options ranging from counseling and support groups to long-term rehabilitation centers for those dealing with cocaine and other drugs.
Euphoria While Using
Experiencing intoxicatingly pleasurable feelings when using cocaine is a tell-tale sign that an individual may be developing an addiction. When one begins to increasingly rely on the drug to feel elated and 'high', it can be a sign of an addicting habit.
Cocaine will increase levels of dopamine in the brain, creating a surge of energy and pleasure that users often want to repeat. Unfortunately, what starts as occasional use - to experience brief episodes of euphoria - can quickly lead to compulsive drug use.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing intensely pleasurable sensations while using cocaine, it's important to look out for further signs of addiction to take steps toward recovery.
Feeling Superior to Others
Feeling superior to others can be both an indicator of addiction and a symptom of it. Cocaine is a drug that can make people feel invincible - this faux sense of power can often lead them into dangerous situations in which they believe they are untouchable or too powerful to face consequences.
In addition, those exhibiting this behavior may already have a cocaine addiction, as the drug gives users false confidence and makes them believe they are superior.
This kind of behavior should never be taken lightly, as addicts will often take great risks with their lives to maintain their feeling of invincibility. Understanding the root causes behind someone's need for superiority is key to helping users get back on track, so understanding when it could be an indication of addiction is crucial.
Lying About Drug Use
Lying, especially about drug use, can be a strong indicator of addiction. If a person is creating falsehoods to cover up their drug use, this may be a sign that they are unable to control their cravings for the substance or activity.
As hard as it may be for those close to the individual, this behavior should not be ignored. By having an open and honest dialogue surrounding drug use, it's possible to identify problems before they spiral out of control and help seek the proper addiction treatment.
Withdrawing From Sober Friends and Family
Withdrawing from people who are trying to help, like friends and family, can make it difficult for someone struggling with an addiction to get better. Unfortunately, this is often a coping mechanism people rely on when they can no longer manage their addiction alone.
Instead of turning to loved ones for help, they may start choosing new social circles made up of drug-using peers. This decision can have serious consequences by leading people farther down a destructive path and away from the positive influence of trusted companions.
Hypertension and Heart Problems
Cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive drug that can wreak havoc on the body. Unfortunately, it is one of the leading causes of hypertension and heart problems.
Long-term cocaine use can cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure, chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, and in severe cases, can trigger a heart attack.
People who are addicted to this substance are more likely to experience these health effects due to the damage done by prolonged drug abuse. If anyone you know is displaying these symptoms, it might be an indication that they need help overcoming their addiction to cocaine.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations are a serious symptom of cocaine abuse. If you suspect someone may be using cocaine, it is essential to look out for changes in behavior including experiencing hallucinations.
Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there are potential signs of cocaine use and should not be dismissed as imagination. If you see these tell-tale signs, it is important to seek help from an experienced medical professional or addiction treatment specialist to get the user on the path to recovery.
Get Drug Addiction Treatment Today
It is important to be aware of the signs of cocaine addiction so that people can get help as soon as possible. The earlier someone seeks treatment, the greater their chances are of overcoming addiction and building a better life.
If you or someone you know is exhibiting any of these signs, it's time to seek professional help. Contact us today to see how we can help!