Across the United Kingdom, Cocaine is used and abused by more than 1.9 million people over 18.
Injected, snorted, and consumed orally, the drug offers an immediate increase in energy levels, leaving many feeling more alert than usual.
While often consumed recreationally, some individuals use Cocaine to alleviate the ramifications of mental health problems, stress, and trauma.
However, the short-term effects of Cocaine only last for 30 minutes. As the high of Cocaine wears off, many are left feeling extremely low, and irritable and find themselves craving larger quantities of the drug.
As the brain becomes reliant on Cocaine, various signs and symptoms surface and indicate that addiction to Cocaine has developed.
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Common Signs and Symptoms Of Cocaine Addiction
The severity of an addiction, the amount of Cocaine consumed, and how Cocaine is administered contribute to the signs and symptoms encountered when a Cocaine addiction is present.
Though the signs and symptoms of Cocaine addiction significantly differ, many physical, psychological, and behavioural symptoms are experienced.
Physical Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine
Physical signs and symptoms of Cocaine addiction arise when Cocaine use begins to impair an individual’s general health and well-being. While some of the physical signs and symptoms alleviate naturally, many can have a long-term impact.
The short-term physical signs and symptoms of Cocaine addiction include:
- Increased heart rate
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nosebleeds
- High blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Dry mouth
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Weight loss
Those struggling with Cocaine addictions may also come to experience seizures, a stroke, a heart attack, and diseases such as HIV. These signs and symptoms require intense medical treatment and are often fatal.
Psychological Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine
Psychological signs and symptoms of Cocaine addiction arise when using and abusing Cocaine comes to impair an individual’s mental health. While others cannot observe these symptoms, they significantly impact an individual’s quality of life.
The common psychological signs and symptoms of Cocaine addiction are:
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Impaired cognitive function
The psychological signs and symptoms of Cocaine addiction leave many individuals feeling incredibly helpless. Locked in the cycle of addiction, many believe that they have nowhere to turn for help and often contemplate suicide.
Behavioural Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine
As the psychological signs and symptoms of Cocaine addiction surface, an individual’s behaviour drastically changes. Due to experiencing depression, anxiety, and hallucinations, many cannot control how they act and the decisions they make. As a result, the following behavioural signs and symptoms are often observed.
- Participating in anti-social behaviour
- Lying to others
- Stealing money
- Isolation from others
- Violent behaviour
- Mood swings
- Financial problems
While the physical and psychological signs and symptoms of Cocaine addiction typically only impair the sufferer’s life, the behavioural signs and symptoms associated with Cocaine addiction have a significant impact on friends, family members, employers, and the wider community.
More than often, this causes many relationships to break down.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
In addition to experiencing physical, psychological, and behavioural signs and symptoms of Cocaine addiction, many come to experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms indicate that an individual is withdrawing from the drug.
Though withdrawal symptoms differ from person to person, commonly experienced symptoms include:
- Intense cravings
- Paranoia
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations
- Increased appetite
- Depression
- Restlessness
One of the leading causes of relapse, withdrawal symptoms can be unbearable. If withdrawal symptoms are experienced, professional treatment must be secured immediately to complete a medically administered detoxification programme.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Cocaine addiction treatment typically consists of medically induced detoxification, rehabilitation, one-to-one therapy, group therapy, relapse prevention and aftercare.
Detoxification is the first treatment encountered upon entering rehab. This treatment ensures that the brain and body can safely withdraw from Cocaine and begin to recover from the physical signs and symptoms experienced. Administered by medical professionals, 24/7 support and care is available as detoxification commences. 
Following detoxification, rehabilitation starts. Rehabilitation combines psychological and well-being therapies that are administered on a one-to-one and group basis.
One-to-one therapies include cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, and counselling. Meanwhile, group therapies include meditation, art therapy, music therapy and relapse prevention.
Though the therapy provided is dependent on the psychological impact a Cocaine addiction has had, each therapy ensures that the cause of addiction can be identified. Therapy also challenges any negative behaviours and thoughts to guarantee that those in recovery become more optimistic about the future.
It should be noted that the treatments outlined above are typically provided by private inpatient rehab. Although we usually refer our clients to private rehabs, we understand that this is not a suitable solution for all. If private rehab treatment is not appropriate, we can direct those needing an NHS rehab for treatment.
NHS treatment often consists of one-to-one cognitive behavioural therapy and group therapy. Though not as intense as the treatments available at private inpatient rehab, these treatments effectively help many individuals overcome their Cocaine addiction.
Contact Us Today
To find out more about Cocaine addiction treatment or refer yourself or a loved one for treatment, please contact us today by calling 0800 012 6088.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1] more than 1.9 million people over 18 - https://drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/cocaine/how-many-people-use-cocaine
- [2] the short-term effects of Cocaine only last for 30 minutes - https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-cocaine-high-last#onset
Seth is an author, addiction recovery expert and fully accredited member of the national counselling society. He has experience working with a wide range of addictions and mental illnesses using a number of evidence-based therapies and programmes such as the SMART models of addiction recovery.
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