Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine addiction is a powerful illness. But, help is available and recovery is possible.

Types of Cocaine

Cocaine is made from the leaves of the coca plant. It is sold, illegally, in several forms. The word "cocaine" usually refers to a whitish powder which is "snorted" through the nose. It can also be dissolved and injected. "Crack" is a crystallized form which is usually smoked in a special pipe.

Why Do People Become Addicted to Cocaine?

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant which acts directly on the user's brain. It interferes with the normal path of a brain chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is associated with feelings of pleasure. Cocaine increases the amount of dopamine available to receptors in the brain.

Using cocaine brings feelings of power, of euphoria, and of endless energy. When the effects wear off, tiredness and depression often follow. Some people are able to use cocaine just once, or just every now and then. But, others continue to use the drug, seeking those good feelings and treating the depression with another dose. For addicts who are trying to quit, exposure to the drug or even to reminders of it can cause an enormous desire for the drug.

Some users develop tolerance to the drug. They need higher and higher doses to get the same good feelings. The high may also last for a shorter time. Some addicts say that no matter how much cocaine they use, they can't replicate the euphoria from their very first dose. They continue to use the drug, hoping to re-experience that feeling.

Dangers of Cocaine

Cocaine causes the heart to beat more quickly than normal and can cause abnormal heart rhythms. It can also cause heart attacks in otherwise healthy people. Other effects include increased temperature and blood pressure or an increased risk of seizures and strokes.

Cocaine addiction carries special risks. Each use is another chance for seizure, heart attack, and even death. High doses make these dangerous effects more likely. Some addicts develop a special kind of sensitization, so that even small doses bring a high risk of seizures. "Binge" use, taking many doses close together over a brief period of time, can lead to psychosis. The user loses touch with reality. He/she may have hallucinations and may harm him/herself or others.

People who snort cocaine may develop frequent nosebleeds and even do permanent damage to the nasal tissues. They may also lose the sense of smell and develop a chronically runny nose. Swallowing cocaine can interfere with blood flow to the intestines, leading to tissue death and gangrene. Injection carries a risk of serious allergic reactions. Sharing needles puts the user at risk of diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

Social Effects of Cocaine Addiction

In addition to good feelings, cocaine can also cause irritability and paranoia. The user may be easily angered or lose patience with co-workers or loved ones.

The user may also:

• Show unusual sleep patterns
• Spend money on the drug instead of on necessities
• Become unreliable at work
• Have mood swings
• Lie about drug use or activities
• Lose interest in activities that used to be fun
• Withdraw from friends and family or have a new group of drug-using friends
• Make bad decisions or engage in risky behavior

Getting Help

The current treatment for cocaine addiction is therapy combined with avoidance of the drug. Doctors are working to find medicines that will help, and there may soon be special medications to assist with recovery. A few drugs which are normally used for other conditions may be helpful.

Several types of therapy may be used together in a treatment program. Types of therapy include:

• Relapse prevention. Addicts participate in workshops to develop skills that will help them avoid cocaine. They work on recognizing situations when they're likely to use cocaine, finding ways to avoid these situations, and finding alternative ways to cope with the problems that accompany drug use.
• Contingency management. This approach is based on the idea that if a person is rewarded for a behavior, they are likely to continue that behavior. In some cocaine addiction programs, patients who participate in treatment and remain drug-free receive points or vouchers that can be exchanged for healthy and enjoyable rewards.
• Resocialization. Many addicts lose jobs, friends, and family because of the addiction. Resocialization programs teach job skills, coping mechanisms, and positive social behaviors to promote a return to society.

Possible medications, which should always be used in combination with therapy, include:

• Antidepressants. These may help with the psychological effects of stopping the drug. They may also help with underlying depression, which can contribute to addiction.
• Anti-seizure drugs. Some epilepsy drugs seem to help with cocaine addiction.
• Disulfiram. This medicine, originally used to help with alcoholism, may also help addicts stay away from cocaine.

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