Cocaine Use and Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Health Risks

This will look different from person to person but you can generally expect this to happen in three phases. Many communities and healthcare facilities offer quick and easy access to a life saving drug called naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan. It is possible to quit cocaine on your own; however, structured programs like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management (CM) are more effective. When someone suffers from cocaine withdrawal symptoms, they often have a strong urge to use more cocaine to alleviate these symptoms. This cycle of more frequent use and larger doses increases the risk of adverse psychological or physiological effects.

Understanding Cocaine Use

Psychological manifestations can include extreme agitation, severe anxiety, and paranoia. Hallucinations, where individuals see or hear things that are not real, and delirium, characterized by severe confusion and difficulty understanding reality, are also common. The use of crack cocaine often results in dilated pupils, which can be a noticeable physical sign. If you or someone you know is struggling with crack addiction, seek help from professionals who can guide the way to recovery. If you or someone you care about is struggling with crack cocaine addiction, seeking professional help can be life-changing. Recovery might feel overwhelming but reaching out to experienced healthcare providers can provide the guidance and support needed to begin the healing process.

Medication-Assisted Treatments

Approaching someone about their cocaine use can be difficult but necessary to help them get the support they need. It’s essential to approach the situation with empathy, understanding, and non-judgmental attitudes. Remember, there are resources and professionals available to provide support and guidance throughout the journey. This behavior can be a result of the irritation and discomfort caused by cocaine use. The drug’s effects on the nasal passages may lead to itching or a feeling of congestion, prompting the individual to rub their nose repeatedly. Quitting any substance is difficult but possible with professional treatment.

If you or someone you know is ready to break free from crack cocaine addiction, contacting a healthcare professional can be the first step toward lasting recovery. Compassionate, experienced support is available to help you regain control of your life. These psychological reactions are not only distressing but can also lead to significant cognitive decline and impairment in daily functioning.

An increased level of dopamine in the brain can lead to a person losing touch with reality. Signs of this include hallucinations, paranoia, and inappropriate behavior. Casual use of cocaine means you may occasionally use the drug but you do not experience the signs and symptoms of CUD. A comprehensive list of the specific signs and symptoms will be outlined later crack cocaine symptoms and warning signs in this article. In a relaxed party setting where people openly use cocaine it’s easy to forget that it’s dangerous, addictive and illegal. People who are using cocaine for the first time or infrequently underestimate the risks.

Peer Support Options (Cocaine Anonymous, SMART Recovery)

Someone who’s using crack might start skipping work or school, distancing themselves from their friends and family, or losing interest in their usual hobbies and activities. It’s also common for people struggling with crack addiction to frequently ask to borrow money or even sell their belongings to fund their drug use. These behavioral shifts tend to happen fast, even compared to other substances, which makes them especially concerning. When a person uses crack the drug causes their brain to increase its dopamine levels, and dopamine is the ‘feel good’ chemical in a person’s brain. A comprehensive rehab program for crack cocaine addiction will address both the physical and emotional needs of the individual seeking recovery. Detoxing from crack cocaine can have very serious side effects without appropriate medical supervision.

• Cocaine mixed with opioids, or “speedball,” as it’s sometimes called, may be done on purpose or without the user’s knowledge but it can have serious side effects including death.
• Several factors increase the likelihood and severity of a crack cocaine overdose.
• We also offer a 24 hour helpline where you can call today to talk to someone about your treatment options and see if your insurance will cover rehab.
• Additionally, vaping this drug can lead to acute overdose—especially if you have taken another substance that slows down your metabolism, such as heroin or alcohol.
• Interestingly, data also shows a strong link between crack cocaine use and other substances, particularly opiates.

Users may experience difficulties with memory, attention, and problem-solving. These cognitive impairments can impact an individual’s academic or professional performance, as well as their ability to maintain personal relationships. Users may experience frequent mood swings, ranging from extreme euphoria to irritability and agitation. The euphoria is often short-lived and followed by periods of depression and irritability as the effects of the drug wear off.

• Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica’s empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.
• To increase the chance of a successful recovery and life of sobriety it is important to receive guidance from a reliable source.
• SMART stands for Self Management and Recovery Training, and it focuses on self empowerment and utilizing CBT tools and techniques.
• We list any treatment center that meets our rehab criteria, giving you the best list of options possible when looking for treatment.
• If you sense a person is using crack at all, even if they’re acting as if it’s recreational, it should be a huge cause for concern.

Ecstasy Addiction: Understanding MDMA Abuse

But over time, your brain gets used to the presence of cocaine and becomes less sensitive to natural dopamine, making it harder to feel happy when you’re not using drugs. This eventually leads to cravings and compulsive use, which is what we call cocaine addiction (or cocaine use disorder). Severe anxiety or panic attacks are common, and mood swings can occur rapidly, shifting from agitation to profound distress.

Cognitive Impairments Due to Cocaine Addiction

The fastest way to get a drug into the brain is inhalation—even faster than IV injection. This is because of the large surface area of the lungs in connection to the body’s vascular system. Smoking crack delivers an intense but very short high that begins immediately after inhaling and dissipates within seconds or minutes, depending on how much of it is taken. Crack pipes are typically made of glass or metal with a thin cylindrical shape.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

They may stop attending school or work, paying bills or taking care of their family. Relationships will often suffer because crack is such an addictive and all-consuming drug. The short-term effects of being high on crack are one reason why it’s highly addictive and abused.

Over time, the chemical disruption caused by the drug affects memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation, making everyday tasks increasingly difficult. Crack cocaine is illegal in the United States and classified under the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule II drug.

The drug produces intense feelings of euphoria, increased energy, and heightened confidence. However, as the effects wear off, individuals may experience feelings of depression, irritability, and anxiety. Cocaine use can also impair cognitive function, affecting memory, attention, and decision-making abilities. Aftercare is a huge part of staying on track in your recovery from cocaine addiction.

The goal of therapy and counseling is not only to stop cocaine use but also to improve the overall quality of life for individuals in recovery. There are several signs, symptoms, and side effects to be aware of in cocaine addiction. Understanding the effects of the drug on your physical and mental health is an important part of the recovery process. Recognizing the signs of cocaine addiction and intervening early is important for avoiding the damaging impacts cocaine can have on your health and your life.

Cocaine can reduce or stop blood flow to the intestines and cause a serious condition called bowel ischemia. This instant and favorable reward can leave the user craving more cocaine soon afterward. To replicate the high they experienced, the user can resort to taking a larger quantity than they first intended. To have the money to fund their drug use, they may turn to theft, prostitution, selling cocaine themselves, and other crimes. The Monitoring the Future study found that cocaine use among students has decreased significantly since the mid 1990s. While this is encouraging, a similar decrease is sadly not yet reflected in the overdose death rates which still demonstrate the prevalence and dangers of cocaine.