Compassionate Care at Agape Detox Center

Cocaine is especially addictive because of how it alters the brain’s release of dopamine. Dopamine is normally released as part of the brain’s reward circuitry and then reabsorbed back into the cell that produced it. When cocaine is introduced into the brain, it blocks the reuptake of dopamine, allowing it to build up in the areas between neurons and creating an intense, albeit temporary, sensation of euphoria.[5]

When cocaine is used long-term, the brain begins to adapt by reducing its production of dopamine and the sensitivity of dopamine receptors in the brain. This is why users often need to use increasingly large quantities of cocaine or more frequently to obtain similar sensations of euphoria, and why everyday pleasures can start to feel flat or unrewarding without the drug. It is not a question of willpower. It is a measurable change in brain chemistry.

Risk Factors for Cocaine Addiction

Individuals who develop cocaine use disorders come from every demographic.[6] Certain populations are at a higher risk for developing cocaine use disorders due to factors such as:

• Co-existing mental health issues such as depression or anxiety
• Personal or familial histories of substance abuse
• Exposure to traumatic events
• High levels of environmental stressors where a user thinks cocaine use is necessary to maintain productivity

Recognizing cocaine use symptoms in yourself or a family member is often the first step toward seeking help.[7] Since cocaine rapidly enters the bloodstream and rapidly wears off, symptoms can appear and disappear sporadically during a given day or week. 

Some signs of regular use and addiction include:

• Periodic episodes of excessive energy, talkativeness, or confidence that are followed by episodes of lethargy or irritability
• Dilated pupils, frequent nasal congestion or bloody noses, changes in sleeping habits
• Reduced appetite leading to weight loss, loss of interest in previously enjoyed hobbies, financial difficulties, unaccounted-for expenses
• Increased restlessness or agitation, reduced desire to engage in formerly enjoyable activities or social interactions
• Financial difficulty, missing money, or unexplained spending
• Continued use despite negative effects on health, work, or relationships

When the cycle of cocaine use gets worse, the symptoms mentioned above can escalate and become more pronounced. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), these behaviors fall under stimulant use disorder and can vary in severity depending on how many characteristics are exhibited by the individual.[8]

A cocaine comedown describes the difficult period that follows the high, when the surge of dopamine fades and the body and brain are left depleted.[9] Although the comedown isn’t life-threatening like alcohol withdrawal or benzodiazepine withdrawal, it can be challenging physically and mentally.

Users typically report deep exhaustion, low mood, irritability, anxiety, poor concentration, and an overwhelming urge to get high again to alleviate their discomfort. Many report disrupted sleep, unpredictable appetite fluctuations, and feelings of despair or depression. Some individuals experience suicidal ideation, and this is why having professional medical support during this time is crucial. At Agape Detox Center, our detox professionals strive to assist clients in navigating this period as comfortably as possible, both physically and emotionally, to move towards long-term recovery.

Long-term cocaine use places real strain on nearly every system in the body. Due to cocaine’s constriction of vascular walls and elevation of blood pressure, even young adults may suffer serious cardiac-related complications. NIDA states that cocaine use significantly raises cardiovascular disease risk including heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, and seizures, including seizure risk after initial exposure.[10]

Anxiety, paranoia, and depression are likely to intensify with prolonged cocaine use, and the risk of fatal overdose escalates dramatically when cocaine is mixed with other substances like alcohol or opioids.[11] This is why we advocate for timely, compassionate interventions that can alter an individual’s trajectory.

Some of the health risks caused by cocaine use include:

• Chronic inhalation of crushed cocaine (snorting) causes damage to mucous membranes lining the nasal cavity, contributing to chronic sinus issues. 
• Smoking crack harms lung function and respiratory pathways. 
• Injecting cocaine carries the additional risks of infections, abscesses, and the transmission of bloodborne illnesses such as HIV and hepatitis C.

Agape Detox Center provides a full spectrum of care for recovering from cocaine addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. 

Each client receives an individualized treatment plan according to his or her needs, regardless if they are just starting out on their recovery journey or if they require ongoing support. We offer evidence-based therapy specific to the full complexities of cocaine addiction, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), family therapy, and group therapy.

While medical detoxification addresses the physical dependence on cocaine, it leaves the co-occurring disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions that may have been driving it unaddressed. That is why, once detox is complete, our admissions team can help coordinate your transition into the next appropriate level of care, including residential treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, or outpatient behavioral health therapy.