Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that is growing in popularity in the UK. Deaths related to the substance have reached a record high of 1,279 as it becomes stronger, cheaper and easier to obtain.
It can cause physical changes in the brain, but unlike other drugs, withdrawal from it is seen as more psychological than physical.
Trying to separate physical and psychological addiction can be difficult and unhelpful; they overlap, interact and make up a larger problem for cocaine users. A lack of physical withdrawal symptoms does not make cocaine easy or safe to stop.
We’re going to answer the question, “Is cocaine physically addictive?” and take a closer look at what withdrawal looks like and what support you can get.
How Does Cocaine Affect the Brain and Body?
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It produces effects on your body by blocking the recycling of dopamine in your brain, causing the levels to increase. When this happens, you feel a burst of energy, euphoria, a sense of reward and increased confidence.
Repeated exposure to cocaine results in a hijacking of your reward system. Your brain becomes flooded with artificial levels of dopamine and soon prioritises getting the effects from cocaine over the dopamine you feel from natural rewards.
Your brain chases the effects, causing you to use more and more to deal with the cravings you begin to experience.
Physical Dependence vs Psychological Dependence
An addiction typically means having both a physical and psychological dependence. These issues overlap rather than existing separately, and you can’t overcome an addiction without dealing with both of them.
Physical Dependence
As you use more and more cocaine, your body becomes used to it. When it’s not there anymore, your body reacts, causing withdrawal symptoms as it tries to rebalance and get used to cocaine no longer being present.
Psychological Dependence
When you become psychologically dependent, your use has become compulsive, and you’ve lost control. Experiencing frequent cravings and using cocaine purely for the effects are clear signs you are psychologically addicted to it.
Does Cocaine Cause Physical Withdrawal Symptoms?
Cocaine withdrawal can produce both psychological and physical symptoms.
Common physical cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Increased appetite
- Sleep changes (sleeping a lot, disrupted sleep, insomnia)
- Slowed activity
- Muscle pain
- Increased appetite
Common psychological cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:
- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Poor concentration
- Anhedonia (loss of pleasure)
- Vivid dreams
- Intense cravings
Cocaine withdrawal is unlikely to trigger life-threatening symptoms such as seizures, as found when withdrawing from alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids, but the experience can still be serious, triggering severe physical and psychological symptoms.
What Is a Cocaine Crash?
Using cocaine produces a high with many stimulating effects. When they wear off, you experience a crash, especially after bingeing or repeated use. A crash will result in you suffering from exhaustion, excessive sleep, low mood, anxiety and strong cravings.
A cocaine crash is not the same as withdrawal, which lasts over a longer period of time, and it isn’t you overcoming addiction. It’s your body reacting to the sudden drop in dopamine levels.
There’s no knowing how you’ll be affected by a cocaine crash, as symptoms and how long it will last can vary from person to person.
Why Is Cocaine So Addictive?
Using cocaine produces a rapid and intense reward feeling in your brain, followed by a short period of euphoria, otherwise known as a high.
As cocaine is short-acting, lasting around 30 minutes, it is followed by an intense craving, which can lead to a repeated cycle of craving and redosing to keep the high going. As you take more of a substance regularly, and in higher amounts, your body builds up a tolerance so that you need more to feel the same effects as before.
Crack cocaine, because it is smoked, produces a quicker, more intense high that reinforces repeated use.
Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Knowing the signs of cocaine addiction can help with intervention. The quicker you get help, the less chance you have of suffering severe health and life consequences.
Signs of cocaine addiction include:
- Experiencing cravings
- Trying to stop cocaine use and being unable to
- Using more than intended
- Spending increasing amounts of time obtaining or recovering from cocaine
- Continuing to use cocaine despite negative physical, psychological, financial or relationship impacts
- Becoming more socially isolated
- Neglecting or loss of interest in responsibilities and activities you once enjoyed
Risks of Continued Cocaine Use
Chronic cocaine use can lead to a range of physical and mental health issues.
Physical Risks
You may start to suffer from irregular heart rate, high blood pressure and cardiac strain, which increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke and seizures.
Mental Health Risks
Cocaine can also affect dopamine levels, changing your brain chemistry and leading to issues with anxiety, paranoia, depression and cocaine-induced psychosis.
Mixing Cocaine and Alcohol
A common combination is cocaine and alcohol. This can be especially dangerous as when both are present in the body, cocaethylene is created. This is a toxic byproduct that can make you think you are less intoxicated than you are, increasing the risk of an overdose.
If you begin to suffer from chest pain, seizures, overheating, breathing difficulty or feel like you might lose consciousness, call 999 immediately for emergency medical help.
Is Cocaine Withdrawal Dangerous?
Cocaine withdrawal is not considered as medically dangerous as alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal because there tends to be less severe physical symptoms.
That doesn’t mean it is easy, though.
When you go through a cocaine detox, you can develop symptoms that put you at risk, including:
- Severe depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Intense cravings
- Severe mood swings
Before stopping your cocaine use, reach out for a medical assessment to ensure you are being safe. This is especially important if you are using other substances alongside cocaine, as you can’t predict how withdrawal may go.
If you are going through withdrawal and feel that there is an immediate risk of self-harm or suicide, seek urgent mental health support or call 999.
Treatment for Cocaine Addiction
Getting treated for cocaine addiction will encompass dealing with both the physical and psychological aspects. You should receive withdrawal support alongside dealing with the deeper behavioural aspects that led to your cocaine abuse.
You’ll likely go through a medical assessment to get a better grasp on your needs and your overall health. After a detox programme, therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational approaches and relapse prevention will help you better understand your addiction and work on developing healthier coping strategies.
In England alone, 74% of those who go into treatment have a dual diagnosis, meaning they suffer from co-occurring mental health conditions. This approach has to be more precise, understanding how the issues are connected and how they affect each other.
Residential treatment can allow you the time to deal with these issues away from your usual environment, giving you structure and routine. You can do all this without the presence of triggers, giving you the time to become physically and mentally more robust to deal with them.
Cocaine Treatment With Rehab Clinics Group
Rehab Clinics Group provide personalised residential treatment, creating a path through recovery that suits you. Our network includes private rehabs all over the country that bring industry-leading support to those who need it.
Your treatment at a cocaine rehab with us will involve:
- Medically assisted detox to end physical dependence
- A range of therapeutic and wellbeing support to address the psychological side of addiction
- Aftercare for continued support after leaving rehab
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be physically dependent on cocaine, regular use can impact your life in various ways. Professional help can give you the tools you need to understand your addiction and overcome it, living a healthier life afterwards.
Find Support for Cocaine Addiction Today
You don’t have to suffer from cocaine addiction alone. What you are going through is treatable, and support is available.
If you’re worried about your cocaine use, contact Rehab Clinics Group today for confidential support and advice.
