Signs of Cocaine Addiction

While users might argue that cocaine, as a naturally-derived substance, is a less harmful alternative to other synthetic drugs on the market, the truth of the matter is that there is no such thing as a safe illegal drug, or any safe abuse of drugs, including alcohol. In addition to using and possessing cocaine being punishable by the full force of the law, cocaine is extremely addictive and has a number of health effects, many of which can be dangerous of even deadly.
For this reason, it is extremely important to keep a close eye on those you suspect of having a problem with cocaine abuse. Here are a few things to look for in your attempt to identify someone suffering from a potential cocaine addiction.
Physical Symptoms
By virtue of both its chemical effects and its manner of usage, cocaine addiction creates a number of visible symptoms readily observable to those who know what they are looking for.
As cocaine is an appetite suppressant, it can lead to altered dietary habit, loss of appetite, and even weight loss. The fact that cocaine is a stimulant can lead to compulsive behaviors, such as ticks, and dilated pupils. Many users of cocaine prefer snorting the drug as their method of intake, which can lead to excessive sniffing and bloody noses. While no single one of these elements is irrefutable proof of cocaine addiction, they might be enough to prompt further investigation.
Behavioral Symptoms
In addition to its effects on the body, cocaine addiction also has a number of less tangible, though still obvious, ways in which it affects the user. While the drug has been known to cause its abusers to exhibit signs of paranoia, this tends to be exacerbated by its illegal nature. Those suffering from cocaine addiction have been known to go to extreme, and occasionally dangerous, lengths to evade or avoid potential legal problems stemming from their behavior.
The stress of constantly feeling that one is under surveillance or at the risk of being in trouble has been known to trigger panic attacks. Other behavioral symptoms of cocaine addiction include mood swings and changes in demeanor that coincide with the cycle of cocaine use, ranging from being overly talkative at the onset of its stimulant effects to becoming withdrawn and sullen upon their expiration.
Financial Trouble
Cocaine addiction is a prohibitively expensive habit, difficult to maintain even for those with access to great sums of money. The cost, when combined with the strength of cocaine’s addictive properties, can prove more than troublesome in that it can encourage behavior far outside of that in which the user might otherwise engage.
While at first it might just lead to a shortage of cash on hand for casual use such as eating out or pursuing social activities, cocaine addiction can quickly lead to the depletion of one’s bank account and savings. After that, it will force the user into increasingly desperate behaviors such as borrowing money from friends and relatives, selling their belongings, falling behind on rent or bills, or even outright criminal behavior such as stealing.
If you or someone that you love is coping with cocaine addiction, the situation is not hopeless. Let us at We Do Recover provide the intervention needed to face the addiction aggressively and get beyond it.