Cocaine is one of the most normalised illicit drugs out there. By that, here at Addiction Advocates, we mean that while it carries an illegal classification, it’s a highly abused substance, which commonly drives the addiction cycle.

Known for its short-term highs, cocaine is an easily adoptable drug, carrying addictive traits at a significant rate.

As users long for long-term highs and the effects that cocaine offers, consumption is usually regular, is usually consistent and is usually in high quantities.

Unfortunately, cocaine abuse is viewed as undisruptive, as masses of users have normalised its presence. However, through long-term cocaine consumption, great disruption is expected, through toxic, hazardous and damaging physical and psychological effects.

Standing as cocaine addiction, to this point, an individual will be highly fixated on cocaine, where the drug itself consumes life and everything within it.

This is a dangerous point to enable, which is why it’s encouraged that addiction symptoms of cocaine are highlighted and made aware of.

Every use of cocaine will not lead to the addiction cycle. Some individuals can control their intake. Yet, for others, paired with vulnerabilities and influential stimuli, getting to grips of consumption can be impossible.

Here are the signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction to consider, along with the type of support you can access through our services here at Addiction Advocates.

 

Cocaine as an illicit drug

An illicit drug is one that is illegal, is hazardous and is highly addictive. All perfectly reflect the contents of cocaine, a class A stimulant.

Down to its grave accessibility, its glamorised image, and its harmless branding, cocaine is the second most abused drug in the UK, driving some of the most significant addictions.

It’s highly addictive down to the short bursts of positive effects that it offers users. It sends positive signals through the central nervous system, which combats the negatives of such consumption.

However, as it’s a short-lived drug, it’s also a consistently abused drug, where users continue to consume cocaine, to battle their personal tolerance.

Down to the ongoing necessity of consumption, addiction can easily develop through cocaine abuse if enabled and normalised. Many individuals abusing cocaine may in fact be living with a degree of addiction yet will be naïve to the thought of such fixation.

If you’re abusing cocaine, or know of someone who is, it’s therefore encouraged to be aware of addiction symptoms of cocaine, from a physical and psychological standpoint.

 

Addiction symptoms of cocaine

Symptoms of cocaine addiction are very similar to further illicit drugs. This is down to the toxicity of such substances, and how they affect both the body and brain. However, while signs and symptoms are expected, they shouldn’t be ignored.

 

Physical symptoms of cocaine addiction include: 

  • Dilated pupils
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of appetite
  • High blood pressure
  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Risks of stroke, organ damage and heart attacks
  • General hangover symptoms

 

Psychological cocaine addiction symptoms include: 

  • Psychosis
  • Depression
  • Rollercoaster-like emotions
  • Irritability
  • anxiety
  • Changes in behaviour
  • Disengagement and withdrawal from general life
  • Impulsive behaviour

Short-term symptoms of cocaine abuse usually surround physical responses. This will be down to the reduced build-up which will be present.

As consumption does intensify and continue, long-term symptoms of cocaine addiction highlight significant behavioural changes and psychological impairment, down to dysfunctional responses to the central nervous system.

By understanding addiction symptoms of cocaine, and how such habit can amount, it will be easier to disable the cycle, while reducing the implications of addiction.

 

The severity of cocaine abuse

Cocaine is a harmful drug. While it may be viewed as an everyday substance, while the majority of individuals may have tried cocaine, and while it’s an enabled drug of choice, it is however toxic and highly addictive.

Cocaine abuse, which resembles more of misuse rather than addiction is alone dangerous, as adaptations are experienced to the brain and body to accommodate the drug.

Yet, once addictive behaviours develop, where psychological and personality changes are experienced, here’s where the concern lies.

Dual diagnosis is very common while abusing cocaine. This is down to the dysfunctional response system carried through the central nervous system.

Those who do suffer through addiction are prone to also experiencing symptoms of depression and further mental health issues.

Health issues of course define the severity of cocaine addiction. Yet the detrimental that such a habit can have on life itself also speaks volumes.

Homelessness, legal issues, financial worries, significant breakdown in relationships, and unpleasant changes are all commonalities of addiction. Living with such consequences, along with the addiction symptoms of cocaine can be life-limiting.

Physical, psychological, social and behavioural changes, sacrifices and consequences are all expected through a severe cocaine addiction, which is why treatment and interventive steps are regularly promoted.

Withdrawing from cocaine independently or bushing an addiction under the carpet will be improbable, down to the ingrained position it holds once abused.

 

Addiction treatment for drug abuse

If you’re abusing cocaine or live with the addiction symptoms of cocaine consumption, it’s recommended that you consider treatment.

While you may brand it as unnecessary, usually down to the harmless image of initial use, without intervention, a severe addiction can amount, with a focus on the above consequences.

At Addiction Advocates, we hope to minimise such risks for our clients, by highlighting the value and accessibility of addiction treatment.

By reaching out and by visiting one of our affiliated rehab clinics, you can withdraw from cocaine and rebuild your mindset to maintain sobriety.

Leading a life with the presence of cocaine will be challenging, will be unhealthy and will be detrimental for the long term. Long-term addiction symptoms of cocaine usage are usually very dangerous, requiring even greater intervention.

Avoid this by accepting support for your habits, with the potential to find healthy coping strategies, to replace the role of cocaine.

Offering confidential advice, we can guide you towards preparational steps to withdraw from and overcome the involuntary grasp of cocaine.

Through detoxing, through therapy, through relapse prevention and through healthy lifestyle choices, you can live without cocaine.

 

Source 

http://www.drugwise.org.uk/how-many-people-use-drugs/

References

  • [1] most - http://www.drugwise.org.uk/how-many-people-use-drugs/
  • [2] http://www.drugwise.org.uk/how-many-people-use-drugs/ - http://www.drugwise.org.uk/how-many-people-use-drugs/