Cocaine Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment

One of the reasons cocaine is highly addictive is its impact on the brain’s reward system. Regular use can lead to tolerance, where higher doses are required to achieve the same effect, and dependence, where the absence of the drug leads to withdrawal symptoms. Cocaine addiction is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to use the drug despite adverse consequences to one’s health, personal life, and social relationships. Cocaine, like all drugs of abuse, has side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and things to look out for if you are worried that you may be addicted. Some are short lived whereas others develop as the addiction develops.

Alcohol Use Disorder

An approach that seeks to include the family in therapy is called the Community Reinforcement and Family Training, or CRAFT. Most rehab centers will have specific treatment plans for those with a dual diagnosis. This means you have another mental health condition in tandem with your CUD. Two types of medications that are currently in Phase II and Phase III trials include cariprazine and GLP 1 receptor agonists. Cariprazine has been used to treat some mental health disorders and is being looked at as a helpful medication during detox from cocaine.

Warning Signs of Escalating Crack Addiction

At present, crack cocaine statistics are included alongside all cocaine statistics. Crack cocaine first appeared in the early 1980s as a common street drug that was both potent and inexpensive. By 1987, the ER visits had doubled year over year, and crack was available in all but four states in the U.S., making crack easy to come by and extremely dangerous. The detox process often occurs at a treatment facility or rehab center, where signs someone is on crack your vitals will be monitored to ensure your safety.

Crack Cocaine Side Effects

It’s important to note that the crack cocaine symptoms and warning signs psychological signs of cocaine use can vary from person to person. Some individuals may exhibit all of these signs, while others may only display a few. Recognizing these psychological indicators can help identify potential cocaine use in oneself or others, enabling timely intervention and support. A combination of withdrawal symptoms can negatively impact a person’s mood.

Cognitive Impairments Due to Cocaine Addiction

Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica’s empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community. These behavioral indicators are often accompanied by physical and psychological signs that together point to a potential addiction. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional or addiction specialist to determine the most suitable treatment approach based on individual circumstances. While cocaine initially produces feelings of euphoria, it can also trigger intense paranoia and anxiety, especially during the comedown or withdrawal phase. Users may become suspicious, fearful, and excessively worried about perceived threats or dangers.

Injecting cocaine, for example, increases the chances of contracting bloodborne diseases like HIV or hepatitis. Copyright © 2025, AddictionHelp.com The information provided by AddictionHelp.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice. View our editorial content guidelines to learn how we create helpful content with integrity and compassion. Crack is typically smoked, which delivers rapid effects to the brain and lungs. Crack is often smoked on its own (freebasing), but drug users have also sprinkled it into marijuana or tobacco before smoking it together.

• When smoked, it floods the brain with dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and reward.
• By 1987, the ER visits had doubled year over year, and crack was available in all but four states in the U.S., making crack easy to come by and extremely dangerous.
• We’ll help you understand how cocaine works on your body and brain, the dangers of prolonged (and even short-term) use, and the warning signs of addiction.
• Two types of medications that are currently in Phase II and Phase III trials include cariprazine and GLP 1 receptor agonists.
• While it is still mixed with other ingredients, it tends to be more refined.

The good news is that many treatment programs are available to recover from crack addiction, allowing you and your doctor to tailor your recovery solution to your needs. Deteriorating emotionally and physically because of a crack addiction can be difficult for the addicted person and their loved ones alike. The first step to treating crack addiction is to get the drug out of your system safely during a medical detox. Additionally, very high doses of crack cocaine can cause symptoms similar to amphetamine poisoning. The risk of overdose from crack is very high due to how rapidly it affects the body. Its intense, short-lived high often leads to a dangerous cycle of compulsive use.

• If you recognize signs that someone is on crack, you should contact a medical professional or addiction specialist.
• It is usually smoked, which allows the drug to reach the brain rapidly, producing an intense and immediate high.
• If you find yourself frequently thinking about cocaine and struggling to concentrate on anything else then this is a sign that you may be addicted.
• These interventions are designed to help individuals modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug use, and to manage their cravings and triggers effectively.

Another helpful part of most recovery programs is attending peer support groups. Evidence shows that those who regularly attend peer support groups double their one year abstinence odds. Many treatment teams will work with you to create written relapse prevention plans before you leave the facility. These plans will include coping strategies that work for you, accountability contracts, and contingency contracts. Your treatment team may recommend some ongoing tools to help you prevent relapse.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Of these, approximately 1.3 million people had an addiction known as cocaine use disorder, a form of substance use disorder (SUD). A SUD is diagnosed when someone cannot stop using a drug despite it harming their life. Crack, also known as crack cocaine or “rock,” is a stimulant drug that’s been processed into a rock crystal and is usually smoked. There are different types of cocaine other than the standard white powder form. Recovery from cocaine addiction isn’t just about abstinence—it’s about reclaiming your life and rediscovering joy, purpose, and connection.

What Substance Abuse Specialists Do and Why It Matters

Users may engage in impulsive behaviors without considering the potential consequences. This can include risky sexual behaviors, engaging in criminal activities, or making irrational financial decisions. Poor decision-making and impulsivity are prominent psychological signs of cocaine use. One of the primary psychological effects of cocaine use is a sense of euphoria. Cocaine stimulates the brain’s reward pathway, leading to intense feelings of pleasure and happiness. Users may exhibit an exaggerated sense of confidence and self-assurance while under the influence of the drug.

This level of care provides structure and daily oversight for people who need daily monitoring but not 24/7 care. This consists of at least 9 and no more than 20 hours per week of treatment. Cocaine addicts often step away from people and activities that they enjoyed previously. You may find that you no longer get pleasure from the activities you did before and instead choose situations where drugs are commonplace.

They often cannot work or function normally and may have become estranged from friends and family. By the second stage, the person uses cocaine regularly and is dependent on it. Obtaining the same effect from the substance can become harder with increased use. Using more cocaine to achieve the same sense of euphoria is necessary. Taken only in social settings, they may find that they enjoy the newfound confidence and energy that cocaine gives them.

In some instances, a large amount of crack may lead to a complete psychosis, including a loss of reality and hallucinations. Using crack in large amounts can also lead to severe paranoia and extreme violent behavior. Prolonged cocaine use can lead to cognitive impairment and significant changes in brain function.