Effects of Cocaine: Short-Term and Long-Term Effects

cocaine addiction

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Harm Reduction Strategies

  • Drugs like cocaine powerfully activate reward and reinforcement mechanisms in the brain.
  • Sometimes an intense effect is achieved by using more powerful forms of the drug, such as crack, or using other drugs in addition to cocaine.
  • When people smoke cocaine (inhalation), they inhale its vapor or smoke into the lungs, where absorption into the bloodstream is almost as rapid as by injection.
  • Those using cocaine in such amounts may experience tremors, vertigo, muscle twitches, paranoia, or, with repeated doses, a toxic reaction closely resembling amphetamine poisoning.

If the drug is discontinued, withdrawal symptoms, with physical effects, can occur. A strong craving for cocaine is the most prominent effect of withdrawal, but other symptoms usually occur as well. Cocaine addiction is not considered a behavioral problem—it is classified as a substance use disorder in which biological, psychological, environmental, and genetic factors are thought to predispose a user to addiction. By recognizing the signs of addiction, those who are addicted can identify the problem, seek professional treatment, and experience lasting recovery. Anyone who is in recovery from a cocaine addiction should make plans for a follow-up routine that will keep them moving forward in the right direction after completing a treatment program.

How Does Cocaine Addiction Affect Women Differently Than Men?

cocaine addiction

This intensifies the dopamine signal, reinforcing drug-seeking behavior and making the brain increasingly reliant on cocaine to feel pleasure or motivation. This neurochemical shift underpins the drug’s high addictive potential. Gender differences in cocaine addiction reveal that men are more likely to use cocaine recreationally, while women progress to addiction more cocaine addiction treatment rapidly due to biological sensitivity and psychosocial factors. Treatment and recovery approaches also need to address these gender-specific dynamics. All information provided in featured rehab listings is verified by the facility officials.

cocaine addiction

Alcohol Rehab

  • Cocaine addiction compares to other stimulant addictions by sharing similar effects on the brain and body but with varying degrees of danger, prevalence, and long-term consequences.
  • “People ask you, ‘Do you have an alcohol problem too?’ I don’t necessarily think I have an alcohol problem but the two go hand in hand,” Taylor said. “I can’t do cocaine without drinking.
  • Long-term effects of cocaine use include addiction, irritability and mood disturbances, restlessness, paranoia, and auditory hallucinations.
  • For one thing, the high feels very pleasurable, especially when you first try it.
  • Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness.
  • Smoking allows extremely high doses of cocaine to reach the brain very quickly and brings an intense and immediate high.
  • The longer that people use cocaine, the more likely they are to experience serious health complications.

Receiving treatment for a cocaine use disorder can help you regain control over your life. Quitting cocaine use can allow you to avoid negative and harmful side effects and prevent the possibility of overdose. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading treatment provider and has trusted rehab facilities across the country.

More on Substance Abuse and Addiction

  • You do not have to be taking cocaine, or crack cocaine, every day to be addicted to it.
  • The severity of the disorder can be classified as “mild” if two to three criteria are met, “moderate” if four to five are met, and “severe” if six or more are met.
  • The most common drugs used by this population aren’t opioids but methamphetamines.

One of the main differences between crack and cocaine is how quickly each drug affects a person. When people smoke or inject crack, they experience an almost immediate rush that lasts about five to 15 minutes. Snorting cocaine results in a slower and less powerful high than smoking or shooting the drug, but the effects usually last longer. A behavioral therapy component that may be particularly useful for helping patients achieve initial abstinence from cocaine is contingency management.

cocaine addiction

cocaine addiction

The common side effects of cocaine addiction are physical, psychological, and behavioral. Cocaine addiction leads to a range of health complications and severe symptoms that impact daily functioning and overall well-being. Cocaine addiction significantly affects multiple organ systems, and its side effects cause immediate and long-term health complications. Long-term use leads to chronic medical and psychological issues, with severe consequences if untreated. Treatment for cocaine addiction includes behavioral therapies, support groups, and medication-assisted treatment.

cocaine addiction

People, particularly those who are unsheltered, may use meth to help them stay alert in unstable situations, the researchers said. Despite the focus on fentanyl and other opioids over the past decade, methamphetamine use outpaced opioids among people experiencing homelessness, the report found. Amid their separation, it was revealed that Taylor had decided to receive in-patient treatment for his mental health. “For the first time, I can speak openly about the extent of trauma he’s instilled on our family over the years,” she continued. “I’ve tried desperately to help him without success. I pray that one day he completely knocks this addiction, but I’m alcohol rehab skeptical. His behaviors are still alarming and his treatment plan seems to be the bare minimum.” Recovery from a cocaine addiction is difficult without professional help.