Cocaine Addiction Signs & Symptoms

Cocaine addictions often start from people using the drug recreationally. However, with regular use, it is not uncommon for users to find that they are developing a habit. Along with the habit, the body and mind begin to develop a dependency. Before long, the individual discovers they have a cocaine addiction. In some cases, friends, family and coworkers may become aware of the drug user’s addiction before they are willing to come to terms with the addiction. If you suspect that someone you know may have a cocaine addiction, the following signs and symptoms may confirm it.

Social Behaviors That May Indicate Cocaine Abuse

Learning the signs of cocaine use can allow friends and loved ones to identify a drug problem and potentially intervene before it becomes severe. Some of the earliest signs of cocaine use are observable in a person’s behavior and general mood. In social settings, people who use cocaine may excuse themselves to private areas frequently to consume their drug of choice. Cocaine is a stimulant. Therefore, the individual may appear to be in an unusually elevated or hyperenergetic mood. The person may behave as if they have an atypically inflated ego. They may exhibit regular mood crashes and have a diminished appetite for food. The individual’s pupils will likely appear to be dilated.

If the individual is less careful, you may see a white, powdery residue on or inside their nose. In many cases, people use cocaine to stay awake for long hours. The individual may spend more time “partying” or even disappear for extended periods despite having other responsibilities.

Signs of Crack Cocaine Abuse

Crack is a variety of cocaine that users smoke, typically in a small glass pipe. The “high” produced by crack lasts 10 to 15 minutes. On the other hand powdered cocaine may last up to an hour. Therefore, a crack abuser may disappear more frequently to consume more of the drug. People who smoke crack regularly may go on binges and disappear for hours and often days or weeks. If you observe a loved one during a crack binge, they may exhibit signs that include disorientation, delusions, paranoia, antisocial behavior and aggression. In many cases, crack very quickly takes priority over the individual’s responsibilities, career, family, hobbies and everything else that they previously prioritized in life.

Preliminary Physical Signs of Addiction

By the time a person is physically addicted to cocaine, the people who are closest to the individual are more likely to notice changes in the individual’s behavior and potentially in their health as well. It is not uncommon for regular cocaine users to develop chronic postnasal drip and nosebleeds. People who dissolve and inject the drug will have needle marks on their arms or at other sites on their bodies. The longer a person abuses cocaine, the more their physical health and appearance will likely deteriorate.

Addicted individuals also tend to have difficulty sleeping and may be tired more often. They may be more depressive, agitated or outwardly nervous. At this point, the individual will have strong cravings for cocaine to the extent that if they abstain from using cocaine, they will experience worsening symptoms of withdrawal. For cocaine addicts, early withdrawal symptoms include mood crashes, anxiety, irritability, apathy and extended periods of sleep.

Internally, cocaine abuse stresses the cardiovascular system. Those who abuse cocaine long-term are more likely to develop a faster heartbeat, constricted blood vessels and possibly an enlarged heart. These individuals may eventually have a heart attack or go into cardiac arrest.

Seeking Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

The safest way to recover from cocaine addiction is to seek medically supported and supervised treatment at a rehabilitation facility. Drug treatment centers offer a variety of program options to help clients overcome their addiction to cocaine. Options generally include outpatient, inpatient and partial hospitalization programs. Treatment facilities may differ slightly in terms of the types of therapies they offer. Nevertheless, there are some proven approaches to substance use and addiction rehabilitation that most treatment centers implement.

Residential Detox for Cocaine Addiction

When an individual develops a physical dependency to cocaine, they will generally require supervised detox prior to beginning their rehabilitation program. Onsite detox centers offer 24/7 supervision and medical support to keep clients safe. Not only are withdrawal symptoms uncomfortable, but some symptoms can be life-threatening. While there are no medications available to directly alleviate the discomforts of cocaine withdrawal, doctors may prescribe beta-blockers to treat anxiety and, if necessary, antidepressants to stabilize some patients’ moods if they have depressive symptoms that last longer than 7 to 10 days. Detoxing at a residential facility is especially helpful for patients who have relapsed in the past or who otherwise have triggers in their immediate, everyday life that contribute to their tendency to use cocaine. Individuals who have a stable home environment that supports a lifestyle of sobriety may choose an outpatient detox program if they do not otherwise require medical supervision.

Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline

Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal typically resolve within 7 to 10 days following the last occurrence of use. Unfortunately, cravings for the drug may persist for much longer and may even resurface after the person has abstained from using the drug for years. Drug treatment programs help addicted individuals learn to manage urges to abuse cocaine without relapsing. People who abuse cocaine for shorter periods of time are more likely to have shorter withdrawal periods. Those who use the drugs for years may have symptoms that linger for months, possibly due to the manner in which the drug builds up in the body over time.

Cocaine Withdrawal Intensity

The amount of cocaine a person consumes at a time may impact the severity of their withdrawal symptoms. People who consume very large amounts of cocaine at one time are more likely to experience withdrawal with greater intensity. Those who consume small amounts of the drug at a time will likely have a less intense withdrawal experience.

Dependence on Multiple Drugs

People who have developed physiological dependence on one or more additional drugs may experience a combination of withdrawal symptoms. Some symptoms may occur after abstaining from cocaine while other symptoms may be the result of another substance. Polysubstance dependence may complicate the detox experience and worsen the symptoms for the patient. A residential detox center can monitor the patient and take all available measures to help them understand the nature of their symptoms and remain as comfortable as possible.

Co-Occurring Medical Conditions and Cocaine Detox

In some cases, a client may have a preexisting health condition like heart disease. Medically supported detox is likely the best option due to the extent that cocaine addiction impacts cardiovascular health. At an onsite detox facility, clinicians are able to prescribe medication to treat the cardiovascular condition. If the detox process places a strain on the individual’s health, the staff can detect the potential problem early and make adjustments to treatment.

Detoxing Off Cocaine With Mental Health Issues

Patients sometimes have an underlying mental illness in combination with an addiction to cocaine. These situations are also better suited for residential detox at an inpatient facility. Clinicians at a medical detox facility are able to assess the nature of the patient’s mental health condition and treat it accordingly. For patients who have a dual diagnosis, staying clean and sober typically depends on successfully managing the underlying mental health condition.

Entering a Treatment Program

After the detox process, when the worst of the patient’s withdrawal symptoms are likely to have passed, the person is ready to enter a treatment program. At the treatment program, counselors and clinicians will guide program participants through uncovering the origins of their addiction. In addition to learning to identify and avoid triggers that contribute to their cocaine habit, clients will also learn the life skills they will need to navigate everyday life situations and remain drug-free. Some programs offer traditional, 12-step program-based treatment modalities. Others also incorporate holistic therapies to further enhance program participants’ experiences and improve their likelihood of remaining clean.

Green Mountain Treatment Center for Cocaine Addiction

Many individuals find that the best way to overcome addiction is to receive treatment in an isolated setting separate from the influences and stressors of their everyday lives. Green Mountain Treatment Center is a residential facility situated between the scenic White Mountains and Lakes Region in New Hampshire. Clients are able to clear their minds in the midst of fragrant fruit orchards and fresh mountain air.

Green Mountain Treatment Center offers a client-to-client mentoring program to help ease newcomers into their rehabilitative setting by partnering them with fellow clients who are further along in their treatment program. In addition to offering cognitive behavioral therapy, process groups and 12-step program meetings, clients may also build their confidence and improve their overall health by incorporating exercise at the gym, yoga and meditation into their program. New clients have the advantage of completing detox within the same setting as their treatment program as Green Mountain Treatment Center also has an onsite medical facility.

New Freedom Academy for Cocaine Rehabilitation

Also set in the scenic New Hampshire countryside, New Freedom Academy is an intimate 20-bed, gender-segregated treatment facility. Low clinician-to-client and staff-to-client ratios make New Freedom Academy an attractive option for clients who require a highly personalized experience. Program participants attend one-on-one therapy sessions and group therapy. Client programs may also incorporate grief and loss therapy, motivational interviewing, yoga, meditation and exercise for a holistic approach to wellness and recovery. New Freedom Academy clients also enjoy mini-golf and paintball outings. They may participate in educational workshops, and family members may join program participants at a weekly offsite family recovery workshop.

If anyone you know exhibits signs of cocaine addiction, the best approach is to begin a conversation about recovery. For support in having the potentially difficult conversation, contact an addiction treatment center for advice and additional resources. Call today to learn how we can help you or someone you know overcome cocaine addiction.