Cocaine is not physically addictive in the way that heroin or alcohol are, but remains one of the most challenging addictions to conquer. Cocaine may not create a physical dependency, but the psychological addiction to the euphoria of cocaine is incredibly strong, and both substantial clinical data and the millions of people who have struggled to overcome their cocaine abuse, demonstrate the potency of the addiction.
Cocaine has ruined countless lives
Shortly after an addict uses cocaine, the amount of dopamine in the brain is increased substantially, and this dopamine in the brain causes feelings of euphoria, alertness and pleasure; but as cocaine levels drop off, dopamine levels also diminish and continue to diminish far below a normal level. The initial period after cocaine has worn off is characterized by feelings of depression, lethargy and irritability; and in an effort to avoid these feelings cocaine users will often respond with further cocaine usage. This cycle of euphoria, crash, and further use deepens the hold of addiction.
Cocaine users will also quickly develop a tolerance to the drug, and will require increasingly greater quantities to achieve the desired effect. With ever increasing usage comes greater dependence and a stronger addiction to the drug.
The stereotypical cocaine user may be the inner city "crack head" but the reality of the addiction is far different, and cocaine is being used and abused in middle class suburbs, by professionals and by school aged kids. Cocaine does not discriminate, and will devastate the lives of the rich as readily as those of the poor.
Cocaine has ruined countless lives through its financial burden, its psychological devastation, and its physical impact. The sooner an addiction to cocaine is addressed, the greater the odds of a successful transition to sobriety.
Page last updated Aug 05, 2010
