According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 5.3 million Americans used cocaine at least once in the past year. While not everyone who uses cocaine develops an addiction, the NSDUH reported that around 1.4 million people in the U.S. meet the criteria for cocaine addiction.

If you or a loved one is struggling to control your cocaine use, you may have a chemical or psychological dependency. 

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug made from dried coca leaves. It is typically distributed as a white, finely ground powder that users snort or rub on their gums and teeth. 

Freebase and crack are smokable forms of cocaine that are produced by chemically altering the drug’s structure to remove impurities and additives. Freebase and crack are more addictive and carry a higher risk of overdose than powder cocaine. 

In addition to snorting and smoking cocaine, users may also dissolve it in water and inject it intravenously; this practice is associated with higher rates of addiction and overdose, as well as health complications like skin necrosis, infection, and an increased risk of contracting blood-borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis C.

Cocaine’s Effects on the Body

Cocaine is a fast-acting central nervous system stimulant that produces feelings of euphoria, energy, focus, and elevated mood. When snorted through the nasal passages, cocaine takes around 5 to 10 minutes to take effect. When smoked or injected, its effects occur more rapidly and are more intense.

One of the key reasons cocaine is so addictive is the relatively short duration of its effects. Most users experience a cocaine “high” for only 15 to 30 minutes after use. Additionally, many people experience a “cocaine comedown” when the drug’s effects wear off, causing feelings of anxiety, irritability, and low mood, as well as physical effects like a runny nose and increased perspiration.

The relatively short high experienced by cocaine users can encourage binge use, a dangerous pattern of snorting or smoking the drug at regular intervals (sometimes as often as every 15 minutes) throughout an evening or weekend. Regularly binging cocaine increases a person’s tolerance and requires them to snort or smoke larger quantities of the drug to stimulate their high. 

Short- and Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine abuse can cause serious short- and long-term effects, especially when it’s combined with other substances. 

Short-term effects of cocaine use may include:

• Increased body temperature
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Panic
• Paranoia
• Tremors
• Vertigo
• Muscle twitches

Larger quantities of the drug may cause more serious short-term side effects, including:  

• Bizarre, erratic, or violent behavior
• Headaches
• Seizures
• Disturbances to heart rhythm
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Coma

Long-Term Health Risks of Cocaine Addiction

Chronic cocaine abuse is strongly associated with addiction, a chemical or psychological dependency that leads to persistent cravings, compulsive use, and difficulty abstaining from use for a meaningful length of time. People who are addicted to cocaine often experience uncomfortable and often unbearable withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. 

Addiction is a powerful force in a person’s life; it convinces them to continue abusing a substance despite its negative consequences on their health, relationships, job performance, and finances. 

Cocaine is no different; chronic abuse is linked to an increased risk of long-term health problems. 

Long-term health risks include: 

• Chronic headaches
• Gastrointestinal pain
• Decreased sense of smell or loss of smell
• Chronic nosebleeds
• Damage to the blood vessels in the nasal passages
• Nasal perforation (a hole in the nasal cavity); nasal perforation causes serious structural and cosmetic issues with the nose and requires surgery to correct 
• Tooth and gum damage, including tooth decay and recessed gums
• Cardiovascular issues
• Lung and breathing issues if smoked
• Increased risk of HIV or hepatitis if injected
• Kidney issues
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Sudden death

Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal

When a person with a chronic cocaine habit or addiction stops using, they often experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are not typically life-threatening or dangerous, but they can be extremely uncomfortable and may cause a person to relapse if they don’t have support while they detox.

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms include: 

• Powerful cocaine cravings
• Muscle aches and discomfort
• Depressed mood
• Hypersomnia (sleeping too much)
• Insomnia (being unable to fall asleep or stay asleep)
• Losing interest in hobbies or activities
• Physical and/or mental fatigue
• Slowed heart rate
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Problems with memory
• Slowed or agitated physical movement or behaviors
• Increased appetite 
• Weight gain
• Suicidal thoughts and ideation
• Paranoia or delusions (typically from withdrawal-related insomnia)

Again, cocaine withdrawal is not inherently harmful, but the symptoms may make a person more susceptible to self-harm. People who detox from cocaine without help or support are also more likely to relapse to get relief from their withdrawal symptoms.

Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms typically appear a few hours after a person last uses the drug. Symptoms typically last for 3 to 5 days after a person last uses cocaine; however, some people experience symptoms for a week or longer. 

A few factors impact the cocaine withdrawal timeline:

• Amount of cocaine used: When a person is a heavy cocaine user, they have a greater chance of experiencing more severe symptoms for a longer period, especially during the first few hours and days of detox.
• Length of cocaine use: The longer a person has used cocaine, the more likely they are to experience severe and longer-lasting withdrawal symptoms
• Using multiple drugs: People who use multiple substances alongside cocaine experience different withdrawal symptoms when they quit. 
• Method and type of cocaine use: Smoking crack cocaine typically results in more intense withdrawal symptoms than snorting cocaine powder, but the symptoms occur sooner and are shorter in duration. 

Medically supervised detox is the safest and most efficient way to get through cocaine withdrawal. In a detox facility, you are medically monitored to ensure your safety, and you have access to medication for symptom management, which can ease withdrawal symptoms and lower your risk of relapse. Perhaps most importantly, a detox facility can connect you with resources for ongoing addiction treatment, including immersive residential programs or outpatient treatment.

Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine addiction, or cocaine use disorder, affects about 1.4 million people in the United States each year. Like other substance use disorders, sustainable recovery from cocaine addiction often requires intervention and treatment within a specialized addiction program. Addiction treatment helps people overcome their physical addiction to cocaine while also addressing the behavioral and psychological facets of their drug dependency. 

STR Behavioral Health provides a full continuum of addiction care, including safe, medically supervised detox, intensive residential addiction treatment, a partial hospitalization program, and outpatient programming. Our addiction programs are designed to give individuals the resources, tools, and skills they need to maintain long-term recovery and return to a fulfilling and productive life. We meet our clients where they are, whatever their treatment needs may be.

Explore our facilities to find an addiction treatment program near you or reach out to our admissions team to learn more about our levels of addiction care.

References

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Cocaine.