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 accumulate in the brain over time, resulting in sensations of pleasure. It can also boost confidence, and because it is a quick-acting stimulant, it is easy to get addicted to 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 centers 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’
  Cocaine often produces a brief but powerful high. Its effects often begin after a few minutes of snorting it, and can continue 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 for cocaine develops quickly, and the 'comedown' or withdrawal from it becomes more severe.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 frequently combined with other addictive substances such as heroin, amphetamines, or alcohol. This will boost the positive reward the person receives when they take cocaine, which can make them want to take it again and over again until they realise they'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 in a person by increasing the dopamine levels in their brain, a natural chemical related to the control of movement and reward. In normal brain function of any individual, dopamine recycles back into the cells that release it, inhibiting the signal between nerve cells. Cocaine prevents dopamine from being recycled, resulting in huge amounts building up in the space between two nerve cells, hindering normal communication.

These high levels of dopamine in the brain’s reward circuit encourage drug-taking in the person. As stated above, if the individual keeps using cocaine, over time, their reward circuit eventually adapts. Therefore, the individual will require 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 long-term cocaine use can result in 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 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 866-381-8221 or use our convenient online contact form to begin your recovery journey.