Cocaine is one of the most common stimulant drugs abused in the U.S. Many people get confused about whether cocaine is a stimulant or depressive since they don’t know how the drug works. 

A 2023 report showed that Cocaine use in America grew by 11% in just one year.¹ The substance is also often linked to fatal overdoses and co-occurring disorders. Proper substance abuse treatment can help someone with a cocaine addiction turn their life around for the better.

If you or a loved one is struggling with cocaine or substance abuse, Nurture Nexus Recovery Center can help. We offer FDA-approved treatments² for a variety of addictions and mental health disorders. Call us at (214) 838-7488 or schedule an appointment!

Is Cocaine a Stimulant or Depressant?

As discussed earlier, cocaine is a stimulant drug that falls under the classification of CNS stimulants. Some street names for cocaine include: Coco, Snow, Sniff, Nose Candy & Bump. 

Cocaine is also available in a less pure form known as crack cocaine. It is typically smoked, provides an instant hit, and is believed to be more dangerous. Street names for crack cocaine include: Black Rock, Candy, Cookies, Gravel, Sleet & Jelly Beans.

Cocaine Classification

According to the DEA, Cocaine is a Schedule II Narcotic. This means that while cocaine has an extremely high potential for misuse and addiction, it was used to be administered by medical professionals as a form of local anesthesia for a variety of surgeries.

What Does a Stimulant Drug Do?

A stimulant drug tends to increase cognitive functioning and sends your body’s Central Nervous System (CNS) into overdrive. Physically, they increase your body’s heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. This can make you feel energetic, alert, confident, and more aware, which is what most people associate a cocaine high with.³

 

 

What Are Cocaine Side Effects and How Does It Impact Your Body?

Cocaine interacts with the body almost immediately. It starts off by creating high amounts of Dopamine, a natural chemical messenger in your body, and sending it to your brain. This activates the Dopamine receptors, which makes you feel ‘high’.⁴ The parts of the brain that cocaine targets deal with pleasure and happiness. 

Side Effects of Cocaine Use

Some common side effects an individual taking cocaine might feel include:

• Excessive talkativeness
• Restlessness & sweating
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Excessive euphoria
• Impaired decision-making 
• Lack of hunger or sleep

Does Everyone React To Cocaine The Same Way?

It is important to note that cocaine affects everyone differently. Some factors determine how your body reacts to the substance, some of which are:

• Your age and metabolism
• Your height and weight
• Any previous history of drug use
• Your tolerance of cocaine
• Whether you’re using cocaine with other substances
• The strength of the cocaine
• The way you take your doses

What Does Cocaine Withdrawal Look Like?

The DEA has classified cocaine as a highly addictive drug⁵, which suggests that it has a lasting impact on the user. Cocaine’s effects last for a few hours after taking it, and the aftereffects can be felt up to two days after your last dose. After this, the body begins to experience withdrawals, which can be severe if the user is dependent on the substance. 

Some common cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Lack of motivation
• Issues with sleep and attention 
• Visible psychomotor retardation
• Increased paranoia and fidgeting
• Profoundly dysphoric mood

Cocaine withdrawal tends to be intense; a cocaine user will tend to take larger amounts of the drug after relapse. This can be fatal in many situations, which is why the withdrawal period is usually high-risk for patients in recovery.⁶ 

Effects of Cocaine Interactions With Other Drugs

As discussed, cocaine is a stimulant and can have complex interactions with other substances.⁷ Some of which are:

Alcohol:

Cocaine and alcohol both metabolize in the liver to form a third substance known as cocaethylene.⁸ This substance stays in the human body for longer and can cause sudden death. 

Methamphetamines:

Both meth and cocaine are stimulant drugs which are sometimes taken together to feel a prolonged high. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular collapse.

Cannabis: 

Pairing cocaine with cannabis tends to prolong its effects. It can potentially lead to overdose as well, since cannabis increases heart rate and blood pressure and speeds up cocaine absorption.  

Fentanyl: 

Simultaneous use of opiates (like fentanyl) and cocaine can cause brain damage and amnesia via hippocampal lesions. It can also cause respiratory distress in the user.⁹

Cocaine Addiction Statistics

According to U.S. statistics¹⁰, cocaine is one of the most common substances abused by youth and adults alike. For almost a decade, cocaine use statistics have been increasing from 1.5% to 2.5%, hovering around the 2% mark. 

Pure cocaine in powdered form is more common among users, with a much smaller population using crack cocaine. 

By 2022, around 42.2 million people in the U.S. had tried cocaine at least once in their lives. A vast majority of this population had consumed cocaine within the last year alone. 

What Does a Cocaine Addiction Look Like?

Cocaine is a notoriously addictive drug that can form an addiction after being used only a handful of times. Knowing what a cocaine addiction looks like can help you intervene on behalf of a friend or loved one to get them proper cocaine addiction treatment.

Physical Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction

Some visible signs of cocaine addiction include:

• Constant sniffling and flu-like symptoms
• Development of palatal perforation¹¹
• A disfigured or misshapen nose
• Hyperactivity and being unusually jumpy
• Constantly dilated pupils and bloodshot eyes

Behavioral Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction

An active cocaine addiction can also include behavioral symptoms¹² like:

• Use of cocaine for extended periods of time
• Loss of interest in hobbies and social activities
• Having a hard time managing responsibilities 
• Making bad financial decisions to buy cocaine

What Are The Treatment Options For Cocaine Addiction?

It is critical to treat cocaine addiction in a timely and effective manner. A range of options can help individuals regain control of their lives and address the mental and physical aspects of addiction. Patients can often choose from inpatient and outpatient programs based on the severity of the addiction and availability. 

Medications Used to Treat Cocaine Addiction

Although there aren’t any FDA-approved medications to treat cocaine addiction, research shows that some can help make recovery easier and help with withdrawal symptoms. Most of these medications target the brain’s dopamine receptors to help manage cravings and reduce the risk of relapse.¹³ 

Doctors may prescribe disulfiram or naltrexone, typically used for alcohol addiction, to reduce cravings for cocaine and other drugs, like antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, to help stabilize mood and build a stable sleep pattern. These medications help the patient recover with fewer complications and are an effective way to treat drug addiction.

Other Interventive Measures

Due to the lack of FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment for cocaine addiction, psychotherapeutic approaches are mostly relied on. Psychotherapy options, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and contingency management, are effective and widely used to help patients reframe negative thought patterns and reinforce positive behavior.¹⁴

This, along with other approaches such as group therapy, helps a patient understand the cause of their addictive behavior and reinforce responsible behavior and strategies to cope with quitting cocaine. This helps them lead a structured life with fewer chances of relapse. 

Top Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center in Texas — Start Your Recovery Journey Today!

If you or someone you love is battling cocaine addiction, seeking professional help is the first step toward recovery. Nurture Nexus Recovery Center in Texas offers a variety of evidence-based treatments for those looking to quit cocaine use and live a sober life. 

With a dedicated team of experts and insured treatment plans, we provide a supportive environment to help patients regain control over their lives. Call us at (214) 838-7488 or contact us to get the help you need.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cocaine Addiction

How Long Does Cocaine Stay In the System?

Cocaine can stay in the body for up to 4 days after last use. However, if the person has been a frequent user, it may last for longer. Urine tests usually detect cocaine for 2-4 days after use, while blood and saliva tests can identify it for up to 24 hours.

What Is the Deadliest Drug Combination With Cocaine?

The deadliest combination with cocaine is usually alcohol. It produces a byproduct called cocaethylene when metabolized in the liver. Not only is this substance highly toxic, but it also increases the chances of a user suffering from sudden death during cocaine use.

Can Someone Recover From Cocaine Addiction?

Yes, it is possible to recover from a cocaine addiction when you choose a treatment program and service provider that makes recovery easy for you. The withdrawal period is usually the hardest, but with proper medication and psychotherapy, you can lead a life of recovery.

Does Narcan Work on Cocaine Overdose?

No, Naloxone (the main active substance in Narcan) does not work for cocaine overdoses. As it is an antidote for opioids, it may help a little if the user is abusing both cocaine and opioid substances at the same time. 

Do 12-Step Programs Work for Cocaine Addiction Treatment?

Yes, 12-step programs can be very effective for people struggling with cocaine addiction. It helps a person in recovery reflect on their activities, identify the reason behind their addictive behavior, and build life strategies to stay away from drugs in the future.