Rehab Directory Blog

Addictions can quickly come to rule a person’s life. Soon, every action is aimed towards satisfying that addiction. Relationships, health and work, fall to the wayside as addiction gets into every aspect of a person’s life.

Cocaine is an especially addictive and common drug. Many people engage in casual use, not knowing or not caring about how quickly it can take hold.

Cocaine addiction is a continuing problem in the UK. Between 2022 and 2023, people starting cocaine treatment increased from 21,298 to 23,529 – a 10% rise.

So, why do people fall into cocaine addiction so easily? Is cocaine physically addictive, or does it affect a person in another way? Knowing the effects of cocaine, both the physical and psychological aspects of the addiction and what treatment is available is vital to overcoming your cocaine abuse problems.

Understanding Cocaine: What is it?

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that is derived from the coca plant. This plant grows mainly in South America and has been used for thousands of years by locals.

It is a stimulant, meaning that taking it will make you feel more alert and energetic. It was chewed to get the effects until the 19th century when a powder form made from the leaves was created.

Most commonly, cocaine comes as a powder – snorted or rubbed into gums. Some people smoke cocaine when it is in another form known as crack. Crack cocaine is small rocks that are heated in pipes, and then the vapour is inhaled.

It has become so popular as the price is lower than it used to be, it’s not intrusive to take (no needles), and it may not exact an obvious physical toll on users. This leads to many people not getting the help they need.

Is Cocaine Physically Addictive?

There is a debate on whether cocaine is physically addictive. Addiction itself is a more psychological condition, as you can be physically dependent on a substance but not be psychologically addicted to it.

Physical addiction is more apparent when you take a substance away from a person. If this happens, the body reacts to the change, and you experience withdrawal symptoms.

The debate of cocaine’s physical addictiveness exists as some studies show that people who have taken cocaine for many years don’t become addicted due to their brain structure. In the study done in 2013, those addicted to cocaine had smaller frontal lobes – which is part of the brain involved with self-control.

Another study from 2016 found that four in ten cocaine users relapsed despite having no cravings for the drug. This is because chronic use of cocaine had created an indirect link between the parts of the brain that linked stimulus and emotion and the part responsible for habit forming.

This gives credence to the argument that cocaine is physically as well as psychologically addictive.

The Physical vs Psychological Aspects of Cocaine Addiction

Physical addiction relates to the body becoming used to a substance and going into withdrawal without it. Psychological addiction is the compulsive behaviour of using the drug.

Substances like cocaine can be addictive due to the effect they have on the brain’s reward system. Substances can introduce higher levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that gives you pleasure and motivation, that hijack the reward system.

Your brain becomes used to these increased levels, and without them, you wouldn’t feel as good. This creates the compulsion and loss of control that addicts feel as they become convinced they need substances to feel normal.

Cocaine’s Effects on the Body

Cocaine acts on your brain’s limbic system, a part of the central nervous system, giving you a short burst of euphoria. Quickly, your body can become used to cocaine, and many people build up a tolerance after a couple of uses. This means you have to use higher doses to get the same euphoric effects as before.

Cocaine use can also raise your body temperature, increase your heart rate and blood pressure and make you paranoid.

Cocaine withdrawal is mainly psychological – causing depression, anxiety, nightmares and suicidal thoughts.

Treatment and Recovery: Pathways Out of Cocaine Addiction

Once a cocaine addiction has taken hold of you, it’s hard to pull free. By getting professional help, you give yourself the best chance at achieving your recovery goals. The best way to do this is via cocaine rehab – entering a place that is catered towards rehabilitation.

Treatment for cocaine addiction means taking part in a comprehensive programme that is offered by many centres that we at Rehab Directory can connect you with.

Medical Detox

Detox is the process of ending your taking of cocaine to flush the harmful toxins from your body. Doing this will bring on cocaine withdrawal symptoms. Mostly, these are psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety and mood swings. In some cases, physical symptoms such as muscle aches and tremors may appear.

In many rehabs, medication will be offered to help ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure you are as comfortable as you can be.

Therapies

As addiction to cocaine is more about the compulsion of taking it rather than a physical reaction, therapy is important to treatment. One-to-one and group sessions are important so you can better understand your addiction and your triggers and learn healthier coping techniques. A psychological addiction requires more work than detox, and all the treatment in the world won’t matter if you are not determined to succeed.

Aftercare

Your recovery doesn’t end after leaving rehab. To avoid relapses, you need to stay engaged with your recovery. Most treatment centres offer aftercare – providing you with access to support groups, check-ups and a plan that can help you through your first year of sober living.

Group meetings are especially important as they keep you connected to the recovery community. You’ll have people to turn to in hard times, and they can keep you on track if you feel a potential relapse.

Get Help for Your Cocaine Addiction Now

While the debate still rages about cocaine being physically addictive, there is no denying it can cause changes to the brain that will drive addiction.

Overcoming cocaine addiction is hard, and you might need professional help. At Rehab Directory, we can connect you to a drug rehab that can help. Contact us now at 0330 0414 845 to start your recovery journey.