Stages of Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine use remains widespread in the United States and around the world. Taking a quick look at what cocaine appears to offer, it is not difficult to understand its initial appeal. 

Effects of the drug kick in almost immediately and many users report feelings of total euphoria and heightened sexual desire.  Because cocaine is a stimulant, users often feel filled with energy, which allows them to accomplish a great deal. Typically shy people report become very talkative and outgoing. Cocaine users report increased mental alertness and a deeper awareness of all five senses.  Users report decreased appetite and need for less sleep – eating less and moving more can aid in weight loss, which might also be considered appealing.

Sounds good?  Not so fast; cocaine is highly addictive, known to cause serious health and psychological problems and may result in financial, spiritual and moral bankruptcy within a short period of time.  Cocaine can be a tricky drug – some users can walk away from it after experimenting a few times.  Many others, however, become quickly addicted and begin a downward spiral. Following is an overview of the stages of cocaine addition:

1. Experimentation – Most people first use cocaine out of curiosity; they have heard about its wonders and want to experience them firsthand.  Most people in the early stage of cocaine use report nothing but positive feedback – increased energy, pleasant feelings, etc.  In this first stage, relationships and employment are not adversely affected.  The "experimenters" mainly use the drug at social gatherings. Some new users actually feel they perform better at work and have deeper relationships because of cocaine.  Having been significantly impressed by the drug's results, it is not difficult to move to the next stage.


2. Compulsion – At this stage many use cocaine regularly in an attempt to recapture the initial feelings they enjoyed during the experimentation phase. Any addict will tell you that you will never again feel the way you did the first time you used the drug.  Many people spend their lives trying to recapture that one-time feeling – it is often referred to as "chasing the dragon".  Now (like with most drugs) the brain has become used to the cocaine and the user needs to take larger amounts to get the desired effect. It is at this stage when it is easy to cross the threshold into addiction.  The pursuit and use of cocaine becomes everything – the addict now uses regularly and typically associates more and more with other addicts.  Addicts find themselves no longer limiting their use to social occasions; they will use anytime and anywhere with anyone.  During this stage many begin to spend more and more time alone with their new best "friend" – cocaine; this is referred to as isolation.  After the initial "high" (usually lasting around ten to fifteen minutes) the addict experiences depression, agitation and dramatic mood swings.  Now, the addict is using more and more to avoid those low periods. More likely than not, relationships, work and health are now suffering.


3. Dysfunction - The person retains no control over their lives; the addiction now has all power. Because nothing else matters at this point, addicts may turn to stealing from family, robbery, selling drugs (or other criminal behavior) to support the expensive habit. Cocaine addicts have been known to sell their bodies (even their children) to get their fix. The obsession with cocaine leaves the addict without a support system – usually family and friends held on as long as they could but now have learned to "let go".  Health problems mount for the addict: depression often leads to despondency which can lead to suicide; repeated snorting leads to permanent damage to the nose – the nose can actually completely collapse.  Because it attacks the nervous system, cocaine raises pulse and respiration rates. It can also be responsible for increasing body temperature and blood pressure to dangerous or fatal levels.  Cocaine addiction can cause fatal heart attacks as well as other fatal heart ailments.


4. Hospitalization, Incarceration, Death or RECOVERY - At this stage, the addict's choices are limited. Hospitalization may occur as a result of physical or mental ailments resulting from drug use.  Incarceration can occur when the addict is arrested for stealing, prostitution or exhibiting aggressive, violent behavior.  Death can occur the first time you use cocaine, or the third time, or the nineteenth time – just because your dealer tells you "this is the good stuff" does not mean it will not kill you in an instant. Sometimes you die from tainted drugs; more often you die from an overdose or heart failure.  Recovery can occur at any stage during the process of addiction. Recovery occurs when you admit you can no longer handle your life on your own and you ask for help.  Many, many grateful recovering addicts will help you if you simply ask.