Drug Misuse and Addiction National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA

People combine these drugs because the stimulating effects of cocaine are offset by the sedating effects of heroin; however, this can lead to taking a high dose of heroin without initially realizing it. Because cocaine’s effects wear off sooner, this can lead to a heroin overdose. Diagnosing drug addiction (substance use disorder) requires a thorough evaluation and often includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Blood, urine or other lab tests are used to assess drug use, but they’re not a diagnostic test for addiction.

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While high on cocaine, some individuals feel energetic, alert and talkative while others feel anxious and on-edge. During this time, a person might feel depressed or suicidal, anxious, paranoid or psychotic, and crave more of the drug. After prolonged use, individuals can become tolerant to the effects and “binge”—taking more and more of the substance to keep the high going—for hours or even days. Other solutions to help overcome cocaine addiction treatment include exercise, hypnosis, acupuncture, and herbs.

• Substituted cathinones can be eaten, snorted, inhaled or injected and are highly addictive.
• It is created by combining norcocaine with inactivated cholera toxin.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 24,000 people died from cocaine overdose in 2021.
• When you’re addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.
• And you might need to continue your behavioral treatment for months or even years after you stop using cocaine.

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For example, variations in the genes encoding ΔFosB or any of hundreds of other genes affected by cocaine could conceivably contribute to the genetic risk for addiction. It is also possible that other genes—genes not affected by cocaine exposure—are responsible. Scientists currently are working to identify which specific genes ΔFosB stimulates to produce its effects.

Why Is Cocaine Addictive?

The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), cocaine overdose occurs when a person consumes enough of the drug to cause serious adverse effects, life-threatening symptoms, or even death. NIDA also notes that a cocaine overdose can be intentional or unintentional, and can occur even on the first occasion of use, or at any time thereafter. Recreational use of cocaine is illegal because it is dangerous and can lead to severe health consequences, including stroke, heart attack, and overdose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 24,000 people died from cocaine overdose in 2021.

What are the behavioral and physical effects of cocaine?

Scientists at the University of Cambridge in England identified abnormal brain structure in the frontal lobe of the brain of cocaine users. Regular usage, even without overdosing, increases the risk of negative health consequences. An overdose of cocaine can lead to seizures, life-threatening heart failure, cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, and respiratory failure. People who are addicted may eventually prefer taking cocaine to any other activity.

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• The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery.
• Small amounts of cocaine usually make people feel euphoric, energetic, talkative, mentally alert, and hypersensitive to sight, sound, and touch.
• When cocaine excessively increases the concentration of “feel good” neurotransmitters in the brain, the drug prolongs and amplifies the effects of these chemicals.
• If you do start using the drug, it’s likely you’ll lose control over its use again — even if you’ve had treatment and you haven’t used the drug for some time.
• Many who struggle with cocaine addiction benefit from integrated treatment for co-occurring substance and mental health disorders.
• Your chances of getting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, are higher if you use cocaine.