Cocaine, once glamorized as the drug of choice among celebrities and party-goers, has cast a long shadow over countless lives, leaving behind a trail of devastation and despair. Its highly addictive nature means that what often starts as occasional use can quickly spiral into dependence and addiction, trapping individuals in a cycle that feels impossible to break. The allure of cocaine’s euphoric high fades rapidly in the face of its destructive consequences—damaged relationships, financial ruin, deteriorated health, and the loss of self. Recognizing the grip cocaine addiction can have on one’s life is the first step toward reclaiming control and embarking on a journey to recovery.
What Is Cocaine?
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant with high abuse potential. Originally, cocaine was used in many different things, be it by doctors to block pain, or even in the early formulas of Coca-Cola. Of course, we now know that it is a highly addictive, dangerous drug that can alter brain function and cause severe physical effects if consumed in great quantities.
Cocaine is a Schedule II drug, which means it has a high risk of abuse and little medical use. It is derived from the leaves of the coca plant, which is native to South America. While its origins are natural, the drug is processed with toxin chemicals that can be harmful to the body. It is often sold as a fine, white powder, and users typically snort it through their nose or inject it directly into their bloodstream.
What Does Cocaine Feel Like?
Cocaine comes in a white powder form and can be snorted, injected, or smoked. The effects of cocaine are almost instantaneous and can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the method of consumption. The effects of cocaine are intense but short-lived, leading people to take it repeatedly to maintain its stimulating effects.
When someone takes cocaine, they experience a surge of dopamine in their brain, causing intense, euphoric feelings. It increases levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with the brain’s reward circuit. This is what makes cocaine so addictive – users crave that initial rush over and over again.
Initial effects of cocaine include:
- Pleasure
- Energy
- Excitement
However, as the high wears off, users may experience negative side effects such as:
- Agitation
- Paranoia
- Depression
Repeated use of cocaine can lead to tolerance – meaning that the user needs larger doses to achieve the same effect. This can quickly lead to addiction and increase the risk of overdose. In fact, cocaine is one of the leading causes of drug-related deaths.
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Cocaine
Cocaine use tends to range from occasional to repeated use, to full-on addiction. Administration may lead to bodily absorption of toxic levels of the drug. This may cause heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and sudden death. Injecting cocaine greatly increases the risk of addiction, as well as even more serious behavioral or physical side effects. It is even more intense than snorting the drug. As is typically with substance abuse, prolonged cocaine abuse can alter the brain’s physical composition and create tolerance and dependence.
There are many ways that cocaine abuse can physically and mentally affect the body. Below are just a few things that may change about you or your loved one if they use cocaine for an extended period of time.
Short-term effects of cocaine use may include:
- Constricted blood vessels
- Dilated pupils
- Increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure
- Tremors
- Violent behavior
- Anxiety
Long-term effects of cocaine use may include:
- Tolerance
- Nasal irritation or damage
- Lung damage or failure
- Risk of bloodborne infection such as HIV/Hepatitis C
- Heart inflammation or failure
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Stroke
- Brain hemorrhaging
Is Cocaine Dangerous?
What makes the drug most dangerous, is that the powder form is typically mixed with other substances. Sometimes corn starch, talcum powder, or sugar, though other times it can be mixed with amphetamines and other chemicals. When obtained on the street, it is impossible to determine what the powder was mixed with, causing a potentially dangerous experience that can lead to physical damage or death.
Cocaine Drug Abuse Facts
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), cocaine abuse statistics include:
- An estimated 37% of drug users report abusing cocaine.
- Cocaine usage rates are higher among males (2.6%) compared to females (1.5%).
- Approximately 13.3% of college students admit to using cocaine.
- Cocaine is often combined with the illicit depressant Rohypnol (commonly known as “roofies”) to incapacitate victims in cases of sexual assault.
- Among drug-related deaths in individuals aged 50 and older, 6% are attributed to cocaine.
- The majority of cocaine in the United States—around 90%—is from Colombia, with most of it entering the country via Mexico.
- Approximately 5.5 million people in the U.S. (2% of the population) reported using cocaine in 2018.
- Nearly 20% of all drug overdose deaths in 2017 were linked to cocaine, with Black communities experiencing the highest rates of cocaine overdose deaths.
- Between 2012 and 2018, cocaine-related overdose deaths rose from 1.4% to 4.5%.
- On a global scale, cocaine-related deaths more than doubled, climbing from fewer than 5,000 in 2013 to 10,000 in 2016.
As illustrated by these results, cocaine addiction doesn’t discriminate and has been found across all races, ages, occupations, and economic levels. While the consequences of cocaine abuse are often downplayed when compared to the opioid crisis, the death toll continues to rise year after year.
Identifying Cocaine Abuse
Addiction hurts. Substance abuse to any chemical can have a painful impact on your life, health and well-being. Cocaine abuse can have an extremely dire effect on the body, and to your loved ones. Do you think you or someone you love may have a problem with cocaine? Identifying drug abuse use is not always easy. The warning signs may be nearly imperceptible if the user mostly only abuses in a recreational setting. Even infrequent or recreational use of potent drugs can cause physical side effects, such as dependence, or reduced overall health.
Signs of cocaine abuse may include:
- Planning activities around cocaine use or being unable to participate in activities without using first
- Engaging in other high-risk behaviors
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Continuing to use despite negative side effects
- Withdrawal symptoms and/or cravings when not using
- Financial struggles due to spending income on cocaine
- Excessive or explosive energy – more than usual
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or others, you may have a cocaine problem and require medical help to safely detox.
Withdrawal from Cocaine Abuse
Cocaine withdrawal, unlike withdrawal from many other substances, does not always manifest in physical symptoms. Instead, it primarily takes a psychological toll on the individual. The initial phase of cocaine withdrawal is often characterized by a profound “crash.”
The crash from cocaine withdrawal may include symptoms such as:
- Extreme fatigue
- Decreased cognitive ability
- Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)
- Depression
- Irritability
- Tremors and muscle pain
- Increased appetite
- Vivid dreams
- Intense cravings for cocaine
These symptoms can be overwhelming, making the prospect of quitting seem insurmountable. However, understanding that these feelings are temporary and part of the healing process can provide some solace and strength to those facing this challenging journey.
As the individual progresses through the withdrawal phase, the acute symptoms gradually begin to fade but may be replaced by longer-term psychological effects. Anxiety and agitation can persist, along with disturbed sleep patterns and vivid, unpleasant dreams. Perhaps most daunting is the anhedonia – a loss of the ability to feel pleasure – which can linger for weeks or even months.
This period of cocaine withdrawal requires a strong support system and often professional guidance to navigate successfully. It’s crucial for those recovering from cocaine addiction to engage in therapy, join support groups, and possibly consider medication-assisted treatment to address these prolonged symptoms. With patience and the right support, recovery is within reach, opening the door to a life free from cocaine’s grasp.
Cocaine Detox
To overcome cocaine addiction, proper treatment is absolutely critical. Without the medical supervision and assistance a certified and accredited detox facility provides, serious complications may result from cocaine withdrawal. Detoxing from cocaine abuse is mostly psychological, meaning it can be as emotionally taxing as physically. Symptoms may be felt as soon as 90 minutes after the last usage and may be felt for as long as seven to ten days. Withdrawal duration is generally influenced by the length of use and size of the drug dose. Your body’s overall health, age, and history may also play a factor in the severity of withdrawal.
At Royal Life Detox, we are dedicated to offering the safest and most effective medication-assisted cocaine detox available. Our priority is to ensure our guests experience a smooth, comfortable detox process with expert supervision every step of the way. Following detox, we provide carefully tailored medical plans, an intensive therapy program that includes both group and one-on-one sessions, and a comprehensive range of aftercare options. Our mission is to make cocaine detoxification as seamless as possible, which is why we offer 24/7 on-site medical support to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests, both during and after the detox process.
On-Going Cocaine Abuse Recovery
At Royal Life Detox, recovery begins with medical detox and transitions into a comprehensive, collaborative approach to substance abuse treatment. Our program is designed to nurture physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, supporting individuals on their journey to lasting sobriety. Beyond treating cocaine addiction, we offer a range of detox options tailored to various forms of substance dependency, all with the goal of fostering a healthy, sober lifestyle.
Our team of addiction specialists—including therapists, case managers, and dedicated facility staff—provides exceptional care and unwavering support. Using a holistic, evidence-based approach, we blend individual and group therapy sessions with creative outlets like art, music, and animal therapy to help guests express themselves and communicate effectively. At Royal Life Detox, we recognize that emotional healing is just as critical as physical recovery. To support this, we integrate cutting-edge therapies focused on activity, movement, and adventure, creating a treatment program that addresses the mind, body, and spirit as a unified whole.
Recovery at Royal Life Detox begins with our residential inpatient program and flows seamlessly into PHP, IOP, OP, and sober living within our graduate housing residences. Every step of the way, our guests remain our top priority. Our mission is not just to help individuals achieve sobriety but to empower them with the tools and resilience needed to sustain a healthy, fulfilling life long after leaving our care. At Royal Life Detox, we are committed to creating meaningful, lasting change—because recovery is more than a goal; it’s our purpose. Because We Care.
Cocaine Detox in Arizona
At Royal Life Detox, we understand the complexity and challenges of overcoming cocaine addiction. Our comprehensive approach to stimulant addiction treatment is designed to address not just the physical aspects of addiction but also the psychological factors that contribute to cocaine abuse.
If you or a loved one has a dependency or addiction to cocaine, please reach out to us about your detox and treatment options. Royal Life Detox admissions staff is available 24/7 to answer your questions and address your concerns.
Because We Care.
