Why do people get addicted to cocaine? If you have never tried cocaine then you cannot get addicted to it. However as soon as you try it you are risking that this could lead to addiction. Especially if you have an addictive personality or have some long lost emotional pain or characteristic. Such as depression, anxiety or lack of confidence. This is because on first use it may make you feel really good. To the point that it could solve all your problems….
Why people get addicted to cocaine – the highs
Cocaine is an extremely addictive drug and in some circles is considered to be the most dangerous and addictive drug. Second only to heroin. It gives an intense and short lived high. It is likely that you will want to continue to experience that high and so will use it more than once. And then some more. After a while your mind and body will become more tolerant of its effect. And you will need to use more and more in order to get that same high that you experienced at first use.
Apart from intense short lived pleasure, the things that we believe cocaine gives us are increased:
Motor function, energy, competence, alertness and sexuality.
Why people get addicted to cocaine – unwanted effects
However once we become addicted we notice the following:
- That we need to take more and more of the drug to feel the desired effect
- That if we stop using cocaine or reduce the amount we take, we feel restless, discontent, agitated and even depressed
- That if we try to cut down or control how much we take we can’t do so however hard we try – or at least we cannot do so for a sustained period of time
- That we spend a lot of time thinking about and trying to get cocaine.
- That cocaine becomes a – if not the – priority in our life. Even though we may be reluctant to admit it, it comes before the people we love in our family. It comes before our friends. And it certainly comes before our work and health.
- Although a lot cheaper than it was 30 years ago (when it tended to be more associated with wealthy people) cocaine is seriously affecting our finances
- Even though we are not stupid and know exactly what is happening – that we are addicted, destroying our brain cells and doing other damage to ourselves and the people we love – we still cannot stop.
To learn more read our page on cocaine addiction.
Help is available
If you or someone you love is addicted to cocaine, help is available. There are free support groups such as Cocaine Anonymous – CA – which is a sister off-spin group from AA. Here you will meet people who have been through exactly the same difficulties as you and they will support you in your journey to abstinence. The only qualification for membership is a desire to stop using any / all mood altering substances.
If you are still unable to stop or feel you have deeper issues to address than can be dealt with within the confines of CA then there is an option for going to either the local statutory funded drug and alcohol service (who may be able to offer you support and counselling) or to private rehab. The latter will be able to help you but will not be cheap!
Rehabilitation treatment types
In a private rehab you will receive the following services:
- Detox – you will have the opportunity to rid your body of the drug in a safe, medically assisted environment. There is no medical detox as such for cocaine as it is more of a psychological addiction though you may be able to have medication for anxiety and to help you sleep, at least in the short term.
- Counselling – you will get help to look at why you became addicted to cocaine and to deal with other life issues that need to be addressed
- Tools for recovery – you will be given these – probably in the form of a 12 Step Programme
In rehab you should receive behavioural therapy which will help you to stay stopped permanently. This is usually in the form of CBT – in groups and one to one – and you will also be introduced to outside support groups which should help you maintain your recovery once you return home.