Is Cocaine Addictive?

In the LGBTQ+ community, the party scene can be an incredible way to express oneself, connect with others, and let loose. Clubs, bars, and raves often provide a sense of freedom and release. But sometimes, in the heat of the moment, substances like cocaine can seem like a harmless way to enhance the experience. Recreational use may be more common than people think, and it's natural to wonder: is cocaine addictive? Can occasional use really lead to dependence? These are important questions, and they deserve honest answers. 

Is Cocaine Addictive After One Use?

Physically speaking, cocaine can become addictive after one use depending on the individual using the substance. This substance stimulates the release of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that facilitates the development of addiction and drives compulsive, addictive behaviors. This neurological manipulation can drive the individual to chase after that initial feeling, even after one use. This causes them to spiral out of control quickly to achieve that euphoric sensation that cocaine brings.

What Makes Cocaine So Addictive?

There are a number of reasons why cocaine is so addictive to a lot of people. This is mainly a result of the high it gives individuals, especially people who use it regularly. Cocaine use causes dopamine to build up in the brain with repeated use, which produces feelings of pleasure. It can also cause people to feel an increase in confidence, and as it's a fast-acting drug, it's easy to become reliant on cocaine. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what makes cocaine so addictive.

• Positive Reinforcement
  Like many other substance addictions, cocaine addiction often develops because of a psychological process known as ‘positive reinforcement’. Positive reinforcement causes a pattern of behavior to develop by offering a reward for that behavior. In the context of cocaine, taking this drug often causes several effects that people find to be 'positive'. Cocaine stimulates key pleasure centres in the brain and causes the release of dopamine (the brain’s ‘happy chemical’), which can make you feel:

• • Excited
  • Wide awake
  • Energetic
  • Alert
  • Happy
  • Confident
  • Euphoric

It's due to these ‘positive’ or ‘pleasurable’ effects that lots of people want to take this drug over and over again so they can continue to experience these feelings. This can then cause them to develop an addiction to cocaine.

• A Brief But Intense ‘High’
  Taking cocaine often results in a brief but very intense high. The individual would normally start to feel the effects of cocaine after a few minutes of snorting it, and these effects may last up to 30 minutes. Because the high is so intense, and the ‘positive’ effects outlined above are so strong, when these feelings subside, this can make the person want to take more cocaine to experience the pleasurable effects again, as soon as possible.

This means that tolerance to cocaine builds very quickly and the 'comedown' or withdrawal from cocaine becomes more intense. The person may find that they need to consume more and more cocaine on a more frequent basis, to achieve the effects they crave. As a result, this can further fuel their cocaine addiction and make managing comedowns much worse. 

• Mixing With Other Addictive Drugs
  Cocaine is often taken at the same time as other substances, such as heroin, amphetamines or alcohol, all of which are addictive in their own right. This can increase the positive reinforcement you get when you take cocaine, which again, can make you want to take it over and over again until you find you’re dependent on it to function.
• Avoiding Withdrawal Symptoms
  Like many drugs, if a person stops taking cocaine or isn't able to get hold of it, they may experience a whole range of withdrawal symptoms. These can include:
  • Fatigue
  • Vivid nightmares
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Paranoia
  • Intense cravings for cocaine

These symptoms, which are sometimes known as a ‘crash’, can be very unpleasant and distressing, which means that the individual may want to carry on taking cocaine to avoid the physical and psychological crash they experience when they stop taking it. This ongoing cycle of chronic use therefore means they’re more likely to become addicted.

How Does Cocaine Affect the Brain?

Cocaine works by increasing the dopamine levels in the brain of the individual, a natural chemical related to the control of movement and reward. In normal brain function, dopamine recycles back into the cells that release it, inhibiting the signal between nerve cells. Cocaine stops dopamine from being recycled, leading to large amounts building up in the space between two nerve cells, preventing normal communication.

These high levels of dopamine in the brain’s reward circuit encourage drug-taking in the person. As noted above, if the individual continues to use cocaine over time, their reward circuit eventually adapts. Therefore, they will need to take higher quantities at more frequent intervals to feel the same high, and ease any withdrawal symptoms they may experience.

What Are The Long-term Effects Of Cocaine Use?

While cocaine can cause a number of effects that may seem positive to some persons, it is also important to realize that it can also produce a number of negative symptoms and long-term effects. These can include:

• Anxiety and paranoia
• Psychosis
• Mood swings
• Panic attacks
• Insomnia
• Risky behaviors due to being overly confident
• Agitation and restlessness
• A high body temperature
• Increased heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Excessive sweating
• Cognitive impairment
• Frequent nosebleeds from snorting cocaine
• Liver and kidney damage
• Heart attack
• Stroke

Treatment For Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine addiction can be extremely powerful and complex for an individual, but treatment for this addiction is available. These treatment plans typically entail detox, where the body clears the drug, followed by a combination of therapy, support groups, and in some cases, medication.

• Getting Clean
  The initial phase of treatment is about ending the drug use. This usually involves a medically assisted detoxification, which can help ease the withdrawal symptoms that are expected to be pretty harsh. This step is important but just the first leg of the journey.
• Rehab
  Once the body is no longer dependent on cocaine, it’s time to focus on the mind. Behavioral therapy is the cornerstone, helping people effectively cope with stressors and triggers that could result in relapse.
• Aftercare
  Recovery is an ongoing journey. Aftercare programs and support groups like Narcotics Anonymous provide a safe space to connect with other people in similar situations and maintain sobriety. This can help especially as cravings and urges to use cocaine can continue for years after the last use.

It's important to note that while cocaine withdrawal and treatment can be difficult, they typically are not associated with health risks if managed by a medically certified treatment provider. Even though withdrawal symptoms can be distressing, they generally subside within a couple of weeks. 

Get Help Today From Pride Detox

If you or your LGBTQ+ loved one is struggling with cocaine addiction, know that there’s hope. Professional help is just a step away. At Pride Detox, compassionate experts will guide you or your loved one through the harrowing path of addiction recovery.

Cocaine may paint an effortless picture of pleasure, but breaking free from its enticing grasp is a brave and laudable endeavor that deserves recognition and support. Call Pride Detox today at 1-562-525-5121 or use our convenient online contact form to begin your recovery journey.