Cocaine is a broadly used recreational drug, with an unfortunate harmless image. Down to the mass adoption of both pure cocaine and crack cocaine, where it’s distribution and abuse has been normalised across generations, societies and demographics, it’s standpoint as an addictive drug has reduced.
However, cocaine is still highly addictive, can be misused to a dangerous degree, and can cause a severe physical and psychological addiction if consumption is uncontrolled.
For its euphoric effects, for the highs that it produces, and for the mental escapism that it enhances, cocaine is now a favoured drug across the UK, from street use, to social use, and to personal use.
While the consumption of cocaine causes positive effects, they are usually for the short-term, which makes cocaine a highly longed for drug, on a consistent basis, increasing its addictive ratings. That exact process is why so many individuals now live, knowingly, unknowingly or in denial through a cocaine addiction.
Here’s the signs of such a dependence, along with the withdrawal symptoms of cocaine addiction, influenced through getting clean, through detoxing, and through addiction treatment services. If you’re suffering from cocaine abuse, or withdrawal symptoms, we at Addiction Advocates are here to offer guidance.
How addictive is cocaine?
As more and more people try and consistently use cocaine, its image is starting to become harmless. This is especially linked to the over-glamorisation of cocaine, which overlooks its addictive and toxic characteristics.
However, this false image is highly damaging, driving even greater abuse of cocaine, along with the dangers that such a habit carries. An addiction can be extremely damaging to health, relationships, quality of life, and capabilities to maintain a normal lifestyle.
Understandably, being addicted to cocaine isn’t a choice, and will not be the intentions of users. However, it is a highly addictive drug as its effects are short-lived, making users crave the positives of its presence, on a consistent basis.
Here’s where a physical and psychological cocaine addiction can materialise, as consumption becomes more regular, craved and required.
Signs of cocaine addiction
You may already be experiencing a cocaine addiction. You may be aware that your consumption levels have increased, you may experience withdrawal symptoms of cocaine addiction, or you may be encountering mental health side effects from excessive abuse. However, not all individuals can identify and acknowledge the degree of relationship they have with addictive drugs.
Here’s some physical and psychological signs of a cocaine addiction to look out for.
- Depression
- Low mood
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Withdrawal symptoms in between consumption
- High blood pressure
- Blackouts
- Excessive cravings, down to a cocaine tolerance
- Psychosis
- Irrational thinking and decision making
- Reduced interest in pre-consumption life and responsibilities
- Distancing oneself
- Hiding cocaine consumption
- Engaging with other cocaine users
- Prioritising cocaine
Above are some of the most common signs that a cocaine addiction could be developing/already present, all in relation to excessive and consistent exposure to cocaine.
In the event of such signs, considering your relationship with cocaine will be recommended, to define whether interventive steps are necessary.
If so, withdrawing from cocaine will be aimed for, which can be tough yet highly worthwhile when considering the future, you can have as a recovering addict.
Withdrawal symptoms of cocaine addiction
Withdrawal can be experienced in between consumption or will be the process of detoxing from cocaine, attached to recovery intentions. No matter the reasons for withdrawal, down to the lower presence of cocaine in the body, a range of withdrawal symptoms can be experienced.
The severity of withdrawal symptoms of cocaine addiction can vary from person to person. Factors that impact the difficulty of withdrawal include the quantity of consumption, the length of abuse, personal metabolism rates, physical and psychological health and whether further addictive substances are in use.
By considering these factors, a mix of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms can be experienced, acting as a form of shock.
It is important to remember that for someone with an addiction, high quantities of cocaine will likely circulate the body and brain, which if reduced, will trigger physical and psychological functioning.
Through change, withdrawal symptoms will showcase themselves, which can be hard to work through, especially alone.
Common withdrawal symptoms of cocaine addiction include:
- Mental health issues including depression and anxiety
- Mood disorders, where negative thoughts take hold
- Irritability and agitation
- Fatigue and insomnia
- Paranoia and irrational thinking
- Delirium tremens, along with the shakes
As the withdrawal process can vary, depending on whether such symptoms arise in between consumption or through active detoxification, along with personal responses to sobriety, withdrawal symptoms can alter. However, if brushed under the carpet, withdrawal symptoms can materialise into great danger.
This is why medical withdrawal processes are recommended, to ensure that you can remain safe and healthy while withdrawing from cocaine.
Overcoming a cocaine addiction
Cocaine withdrawal will be necessary if you’re looking to overcome an addiction. Through a cocaine detox service, traces of the drug will be removed from the body through medical treatment, to ensure that your body and mind can readjust on a post-cocaine consumption basis.
This step is very important and will be necessary to complete, no matter how challenging withdrawal symptoms may be. In tandem with detoxing, further addiction treatments will be mandatory to promote psychological withdrawal and recovery from cocaine.
This combination is required when considering an addiction diagnosis, down to the change and damage that cocaine can cause on the body and mind.
Withdrawing from cocaine can feel tough, overcoming the causations of abuse can feel tough, and rebuilding your outlook, mindset and mental health can feel tough. However, all will be worthwhile to overcome a cocaine addiction.
We at Addiction Advocates can guide you towards such services if you’re struggling with a cocaine problem, withdrawal symptoms or mental health issues.
Reach out today for more information on the acknowledgement of addiction, along with the safety and recommendation of rehab when considering withdrawal symptoms of cocaine addiction.
