Menu
Read the latest and greatest from our team
of incredible specialists.
Cocaine is an illicit psychostimulant derived from a native South American plant—the coca. The plant’s analgesic properties were originally used in folk medicine by indigenous tribes although they were soon discovered by western explorers, who found that topical application and oral ingestion numbed toothaches, reduced the pain and discomfort associated with sinus infections, and relieved nausea. In the late 1970’s—after decades of minor, relatively disorganized trafficking—cocaine was smuggled into the US by Columbian cartels that capitalized on its profitability and glamorized reputation among Hollywood elites. Today, the drug remains popular on the black market, single-handedly spawning an entire counterculture of crime, overdose, death, and disease.
Cocaine’s addictive potential is considered by experts to be immediate and extreme. Although pure varieties are hustled in powdered or freebase form—also known as “crack”—dealers often lace it with common household substances like flour, cornstarch, silicon, or talcum power in order to maximize profits. Increasingly, it is also mixed with synthetic street-opiates like fentanyl or amphetamines.
Recent statistics gleaned from multiple government agencies and drug authorities help illustrate cocaine’s devastating cultural impact and addictive potential. Consider the following:
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that cocaine is an unusually addictive drug, producing a “high” within five minutes of being smoked, snorted, or intravenously injected. Typically, this euphoric state diminishes within 10 minutes of ingestion, although when the drug is snorted, it may linger for as long as 30 minutes. Regardless of the method of ingestion, cocaine works through a potent chemical mechanism. Similar to opiates, the drug artificially elevates dopamine levels located in the brain and throughout the central nervous system (CNS). This rush of dopamine, in turn, impacts the limbic system—a specific area of the brain associated with pleasure.
Once the body becomes used to the euphoria unleashed by this major neurotransmitter, it craves more of the drug in order to maintain the same effect, a process many experts refer to as a “rewarding feedback loop.” Empirical research has also implicated an intricate brain region known as the basal ganglia in the development of cocaine addiction—which can occur after singular use. In controlled studies, recent, recreational cocaine users, and long-term addicts both displayed clinically significant enlargement of the basal ganglia. These findings contradict previous claims that the dopamine-induced, pleasurable rewards associated with cocaine use were rooted only in the limbic system.
Beyond the physically addictive and psychologically intoxicating charms associated with cocaine are a number of unwanted side effects, some of which may prove fatal if not treated immediately. The following symptoms are commonly associated with cocaine addiction and abuse:
Unfortunately, cocaine is frequently sold and abused in tandem with other deadly, mind-altering substances, many of which are not properly regulated. For example, cocaine is often mixed with heroin and injected, a process users call “speed-balling.” This high-priced, potentially fatal concoction is renowned for the incomparable high it produces and hard-core street appeal.
Cocaine is also commonly mixed with benzodiazepines—a popular, highly diverted class of sedative hypnotics. Aside from increasing the likelihood of polysubstance addiction and abuse, combining cocaine and benzodiazepines such as Xanax may also cause permanent brain damage. Once neurochemistry has been artificially manipulated, and the brain subjected to a nightmarish roller coaster of structural changes, debilitating social, professional, medical, and frequently legal consequences inevitably follow. New initiates to the world of cocaine may find themselves casually enjoying recreational use, only to quickly spiral into madness and multifaceted dysfunction. At this point, the coke-addled brain has been hijacked and a return to healthy, autonomous functioning becomes extremely difficult.
Simultaneously mixing cocaine and Adderall is another popular, incredibly volatile practice. Such combination amplifies the psychostimulant effects associated with both drugs and frequently produces a dangerous cardiovascular reaction. Particularly in adolescents whose physical and psychological development is not yet fully integrated, concurrent Adderall and cocaine abuse may result in irreversible brain damage and lasting social, professional, medical, and legal consequences.
Alcohol—an inordinately abused substance—produces paradoxical stimulant and depressant effects, a fact which proves debilitating when mixed with cocaine. The volcanic unpredictability of this improper mixture may trigger a heart attack, seriously impair respiratory function, and assault the brain. Together, cocaine and alcohol form a toxic chemical called cocaethylene. Although cocaethylene produces intense euphoria, once metabolized by the liver, it may also cause the following:
Cocaine addiction and withdrawal require professional medical detox and subsequent treatment. The majority of inpatient detox programs last approximately one week and feature 24/7 client monitoring in a safe and highly supportive environment. This intensive level of treatment helps facilitate a client’s gradual return to equilibrium while significantly minimizing risks. In certain cases, short-term hospitalization may also be required if complications arise, or even more intensive monitoring and comprehensive care are deemed necessary during the detox process. After successfully completing initial detox, clients commonly choose one of the following treatment options:
Although genetic tendencies and environmental factors make certain people more susceptible to cocaine addiction, any one, at any time, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, age, gender, or religion can end up in need of professional treatment. If you or someone you love are addicted to cocaine and in need of help, call a substance abuse professional today. Never delay seeking treatment for any reason! Abusing a drug as illicit and powerful as cocaine is analogous to playing with a loaded gun, and early intervention is critical to achieving optimal long-term treatment outcomes.
Most importantly, remember that cocaine abuse may result in overdose—and potentially death. Overdose is considered a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate response by dialing 911 or visiting your nearest hospital emergency room (ER).
For more about cocaine addiction and recovery, check out these related articles:
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
