Cocaine Addiction
|
Cocaine - also known by other names such as coke, charlie or blow – is a Class A stimulant drug derived from the leaves of the South American coca plant. Pure cocaine comes as a pearly white powder but dealers will often “cut” or stretch out the product by adding other materials such as talc, glucose, and caffeine. It can also come in the form of “crack” cocaine, an off-white rock form of processed cocaine which is typically smoked.
The drug affects the brain by altering the way it processes dopamine. Usually dopamine, and the other brain chemicals affected, are released in response to anticipated rewards, such as when you smell your favourite food or get a “like” on your Instagram post. They are then reabsorbed and the transmission between cells ends. Cocaine pauses this cycle, allowing a build up of dopamine to happen, and causing the user to keep experiencing the associated high. Addiction can occur through repeated use of the drug as the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, requiring a higher dose more frequently to maintain the same high. As cocaine leaves the system and the individual starts to withdraw, it can cause feelings of depression, slow thinking, and an increase in appetite. 
|
|
Pravelence
|
Cocaine does have some use on a medicinal bases: typically as a topical numbing agent for procedures relating to the nose and mouth. As the drug causes vasoconstriction, or the narrowing of blood vessels, it can be useful in surgeries such as nasal cauterisation, where reduced bleeding is desired. This is, however, very rare.
Outside of the medical field, cocaine is the second most frequently used illegal drug after cannabis. A 2015 study by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs found that almost one in ten of study participants between 16 and 59 had used the drug in their lifetime. While the majority of these respondents were infrequent users, taking cocaine less than once a month, 21% reported using the drug at least once per month. Men are more likely to take cocaine than women, with around 3.3% of male respondents admitting to using cocaine compared to 1.4% of women. 
|
|
Health Risks
Cocaine's relationship with the “feel good” chemicals in the brain make it seem like an attractive drug choice. It can make the user feel more mentally alert, encourage them to be more talkative, and it can heighten sexual arousal. As the effects of the drug are often short lived – lasting between five minutes and an hour depending on the dosage and method of consumption - the desire to continue these good feelings can lead to repeated uses and later cravings. The brain, however, can quickly build up a tolerance to cocaine, leading to the need for stronger doses of the drug on a more regular bases to have the same effect. Crack cocaine is considered the most addictive of the drug's forms, with possible dependence building from the first use, but powdered cocaine is still also considered highly addictive.
Immediate physical effects of cocaine use can include a sharp rise in temperature, the narrowing of blood vessels, and an increased heart rate. Too much of the drug can exacerbate these effects, bringing on potentially fatal seizures, strokes, or heart attacks.
A runny nose, a weakened sense of smell, and trouble swallowing are some of the effects associated with snorting cocaine. Regular use of the drug can, however, become more impactful as cocaine limits the blood flow and causes the cartilage between the nostrils to degrade. The cartilage cannot recover itself and so this can then lead to an eventual full nasal collapse.
Smoking cocaine has many of the same effects as tobacco smoking as it causes damage to the user's respiratory system. It is common for flu-like symptoms to persist following a night of heavy cocaine use, as are stomach pains, nausea, and headaches. Bronchospasm, chest pain, and coughing up blood are also among the possible side effects which target the heart and lungs. As this method is also one of the quickest ways for the drug to enter your system, it also has the highest risk of overdose.
The contraction and spreading of blood borne diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis C is a risk particularly associated with injecting cocaine due to lack of safe needle practices. Research has also indicated that cocaine users who do contract HIV are likely to see a more rapid degeneration as the drug negatively impacts the immune system, preventing the body from battling the disease. Further studies have also suggested that cocaine use can promote the replication of the HIV virus cells, thus increasing the damage caused by the disease.
Cocaine use can also cause long-term metal health effects because of the drug's ability to change the way the brain works. The reward cycle that cocaine temporarily disrupts to cause a high begins to adjust with frequent use to allow the brain to cope with the extremes that the drug brings. This means that it no longer reacts to more typical possible reward stimulants. Previous joys, such as smelling your favourite food, won't cause the same dopamine reaction. This can lead to feelings of depression and agitation when not using cocaine.
An additional, and often forgotten, health risk associated with cocaine addiction is its interaction with prescribed medications. Common interactions include anti-epileptics, anti-depressants, pain medications, and “Epi-Pens”. This can put the user at risk, exacerbating side-effects, and can even lead to death. Alcohol, a regular companion of cocaine, can combine to produce a much more toxic waste product which causes increased damage to the heart.
Immediate physical effects of cocaine use can include a sharp rise in temperature, the narrowing of blood vessels, and an increased heart rate. Too much of the drug can exacerbate these effects, bringing on potentially fatal seizures, strokes, or heart attacks.
A runny nose, a weakened sense of smell, and trouble swallowing are some of the effects associated with snorting cocaine. Regular use of the drug can, however, become more impactful as cocaine limits the blood flow and causes the cartilage between the nostrils to degrade. The cartilage cannot recover itself and so this can then lead to an eventual full nasal collapse.
Smoking cocaine has many of the same effects as tobacco smoking as it causes damage to the user's respiratory system. It is common for flu-like symptoms to persist following a night of heavy cocaine use, as are stomach pains, nausea, and headaches. Bronchospasm, chest pain, and coughing up blood are also among the possible side effects which target the heart and lungs. As this method is also one of the quickest ways for the drug to enter your system, it also has the highest risk of overdose.
The contraction and spreading of blood borne diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis C is a risk particularly associated with injecting cocaine due to lack of safe needle practices. Research has also indicated that cocaine users who do contract HIV are likely to see a more rapid degeneration as the drug negatively impacts the immune system, preventing the body from battling the disease. Further studies have also suggested that cocaine use can promote the replication of the HIV virus cells, thus increasing the damage caused by the disease.
Cocaine use can also cause long-term metal health effects because of the drug's ability to change the way the brain works. The reward cycle that cocaine temporarily disrupts to cause a high begins to adjust with frequent use to allow the brain to cope with the extremes that the drug brings. This means that it no longer reacts to more typical possible reward stimulants. Previous joys, such as smelling your favourite food, won't cause the same dopamine reaction. This can lead to feelings of depression and agitation when not using cocaine.
An additional, and often forgotten, health risk associated with cocaine addiction is its interaction with prescribed medications. Common interactions include anti-epileptics, anti-depressants, pain medications, and “Epi-Pens”. This can put the user at risk, exacerbating side-effects, and can even lead to death. Alcohol, a regular companion of cocaine, can combine to produce a much more toxic waste product which causes increased damage to the heart.
Social Consequences
|
Like many addictions, cocaine dependency can impact the social life of the user by restricting the way they can interact with the world around them. Reliance on the drug can lead to the prioritisation of cocaine above other social and familial responsibilities, risking the breakdown of relationships and employment.
A regular cocaine user may find themselves unable or uninterested in certain social situations due to their reliance on the drug. They may be unable to take a trip to the cinema with a friend or a holiday with the family because of the financial implications of drug dependency, or because timings would force them into an unwanted withdrawal. A study conducted by the University of Zurich also found that cocaine use can impede the social abilities of regular users. They found that the drug's impact on the brain's reward system meant that long-term cocaine users were less fulfilled by social encounters and less able to understand non-verbal cues, such as body language or tone. This lack of fulfilment and connection leads users to lose the motivation to maintain their relationships, allowing job losses and family breakdowns to continue when they might otherwise have tried to fix the problems. |
|
Criminal Risks
|
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971), Cocaine is a Class A drug. This means that to have, make, or supply it can result in the most severe penalties. Possession of the drug can result in a sentence up to seven years, while supply carries a possible lifelong sentence. Unlimited fines are also associated with both possession and supply of Class A drugs. Even beyond its illegality, however, cocaine can result in criminal behaviour.
Using cocaine can lead to an increase in confidence, which is obviously one of the drug's more attractive qualities, but this false confidence can lead to recklessness. The finances requires to maintain a drug addiction, along with this risk-taking behaviour, can also lead to criminal acts such as theft and prostitution. Cocaine has also been shown to increase feelings of paranoia, making the user extremely distrustful of those around them, and can lead to unpredictable behaviour with the possibility of violence. Research by the Greater Manchester police found that almost half of 1000 violent crimes studied were committed whilst under the influence of drugs and 86% of these involved cocaine, indicating a clear connection between cocaine use and violence. |
|
Financial Consequences
As suggested by the 2015 study by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, the cost of purchasing cocaine varies depending on the purity. Dealers will often add other ingredients to powdered cocaine to pad out their supply and the price will adjust accordingly. A gram with 30% purity can be considered “premium”, according to the charity DrugScope, costing upwards of £100. The average cost per gram, however, is around £30 to £40 according to the 2016 DrugWise Street Drug Trends Survey. This means that, if a chronic user has one gram of cocaine a day, the annual personal cost of a cocaine addiction is around £11, 000 without taking into account the possible lack of earnings that could result from long-term drug use.
While the personal cost of cocaine addiction is steep, there is also a significant cost to society. Data collected by Public Health England in 2014 suggests that the annual cost of drug addiction is £15.4 billion. This includes £488 million on treating the effects of drug misuse through NHS England, £42.5 million on the children of drug abusers being taken into care, and over £26, 000 on crimes committed by users not in treatment. While this research focuses on England and does not look at cocaine specifically, as the second most frequently used illegal drug in the UK, it is definitely a contributing factor to this sizeable price tag.
While the personal cost of cocaine addiction is steep, there is also a significant cost to society. Data collected by Public Health England in 2014 suggests that the annual cost of drug addiction is £15.4 billion. This includes £488 million on treating the effects of drug misuse through NHS England, £42.5 million on the children of drug abusers being taken into care, and over £26, 000 on crimes committed by users not in treatment. While this research focuses on England and does not look at cocaine specifically, as the second most frequently used illegal drug in the UK, it is definitely a contributing factor to this sizeable price tag.
|
|
Signs of Addiction
Drug users may wish to hide their cocaine use, but there are signs to look out for. While cocaine has physical indications, such as causing pupils to dilate and heart rate to accelerate, there are also behavioural indicators. An individual may change after taking the drug, becoming more excitable and confident.
Secretive behaviours, like sneaking off by themselves periodically to take their drug of choice, or lying about money to cover the cost of their addiction, can be the first indications of a bigger problem. Avoiding meals, or seeming uninterested in food, is another possible sign as regular cocaine use can suppress the appetite. Malnourishment is not an uncommon side effect of long-term drug abuse. White powder around the nose can show that a user is snorting cocaine while tracking marks on the arms, where a needle has been inserted, is another more noticeable sign.
As mentioned above, long-term cocaine abuse degrades the user's ability to interact socially and increases the likelihood of violent or bizarre behaviours. The drug may hinder their ability to live a normal life, risking their jobs and relationships but showing little motivation to repair these issues. They may become more anxious or depressive and their sleep is likely to be disrupted – either sleeping too much or too little, along with experiencing unsettling dreams and nightmares.
Withdrawal from cocaine can leave the user with intense cravings for the drug which, in turn, can make them irritable or anxious. They can also seem more depressed or suicidal and may want to spend much of their time sleeping.
Secretive behaviours, like sneaking off by themselves periodically to take their drug of choice, or lying about money to cover the cost of their addiction, can be the first indications of a bigger problem. Avoiding meals, or seeming uninterested in food, is another possible sign as regular cocaine use can suppress the appetite. Malnourishment is not an uncommon side effect of long-term drug abuse. White powder around the nose can show that a user is snorting cocaine while tracking marks on the arms, where a needle has been inserted, is another more noticeable sign.
As mentioned above, long-term cocaine abuse degrades the user's ability to interact socially and increases the likelihood of violent or bizarre behaviours. The drug may hinder their ability to live a normal life, risking their jobs and relationships but showing little motivation to repair these issues. They may become more anxious or depressive and their sleep is likely to be disrupted – either sleeping too much or too little, along with experiencing unsettling dreams and nightmares.
Withdrawal from cocaine can leave the user with intense cravings for the drug which, in turn, can make them irritable or anxious. They can also seem more depressed or suicidal and may want to spend much of their time sleeping.
Treatment Options
Recovery from cocaine addiction varies according to the needs of the individual user. Some may choose a cold-turkey approach: stopping the drug completely straight off the mark. Others may prefer a more gradual reduction of drug usage. Unfortunately, unlike recovery from heroin addiction, there are no replacement drugs available to stand in for cocaine. A medical professional may occasionally prescribe medication to help with the side effects of withdrawal, such as sleep aids for the resulting insomnia, but this would be tightly controlled and on a case by case basis.
Local drug and alcohol services can provide support throughout the recovery process, pointing former users to help and advice that could aid their journey. Attending a residential rehab programme is not often necessary but it can be an option for those with a particularly severe cocaine abuse problem or other complications.
Counselling and therapy are common methods of support for drug recovery, with talking therapies and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy among those considered most effective alongside social support. Around half of cocaine users are thought to have underlying mental health conditions which may be the root cause of their addictive or self-medicating behaviour. An accurate diagnosis and suitable treatment can improve the success rate of recovery, helping the user re-build their life away from cocaine.
Local drug and alcohol services can provide support throughout the recovery process, pointing former users to help and advice that could aid their journey. Attending a residential rehab programme is not often necessary but it can be an option for those with a particularly severe cocaine abuse problem or other complications.
Counselling and therapy are common methods of support for drug recovery, with talking therapies and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy among those considered most effective alongside social support. Around half of cocaine users are thought to have underlying mental health conditions which may be the root cause of their addictive or self-medicating behaviour. An accurate diagnosis and suitable treatment can improve the success rate of recovery, helping the user re-build their life away from cocaine.
Hypnosis for Cocaine Addiction
Hypnosis, NLP and CBT can deal with cocaine addiction in just a few sessions. If you'd like to see if we could help you just complete this 60 second confidential test below: