Cocaine Myths, Learn The Truth About Cocaine Addiction

Myths About Cocaine

Cocaine is a highly addictive illegal drug used by 14-21 million people worldwide [3]. In 2018 there are 874,000 new cocaine users [4]. Since cocaine is combined or ‘cut’ with other chemicals, people have no idea if the dose will be weak or strong. These other chemicals may include fillers, such as paint chemicals, cornstarch, fentanyl, and its analogs, which are added purely to boost profits and often lead to the risk of cocaine perforated septum and cocaine and erectile dysfunction.

Cocaine Myth #1: It Takes a Long Time to Get Hooked on Cocaine

One of the most widespread cocaine myths is that it does not create addiction. Cocaine addiction develops very quickly. That’s because repeated use causes tolerance fast. When someone uses cocaine, their body and brain are less sensitive to it the next time. That loss of sensitivity is tolerance, and with cocaine, it starts within a single use.

That leads to using cocaine more often and in higher doses from the very start. Many individuals use cocaine every 15 to 30 minutes.

It takes only a day of that kind of frequent use to cause cocaine addiction. With crack cocaine, it’s possible to develop addiction even faster, after a single use.

Cocaine sends intense signals to the pleasure centers of the brain, which leads to increased alertness and a “high” feeling. Cocaine use can alter the brain after just one use, and regular use can lead to intense cravings, withdrawal, and neurological changes.

Cocaine Myth #2: Cocaine is a Safe Drug

Another widespread cocaine myth is that it is a safe drug. Cocaine use contributes to tens of thousands of emergency department (ED) visits and hundreds of deaths each year [2]. While cocaine use is coincident in most cases, (e.g. trauma, psychiatric, or infections), cocaine poisoning accounts for many of these visits. The major effects of cocaine poisoning include CNS effects such as agitation, seizures, and psychosis, and cardiovascular effects such as dysrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular collapse.

The total overdose deaths involving cocaine have increased from 1999 to 2019. Cocaine overdose may also be involved with other drugs such as opioids. Cocaine overdose also results in a substantial amount of ER visits each year. Many of these ER visits were from people experiencing severe chest pain, which is one of the main signs and risks of a cocaine overdose. Serious consequences can result if proper cocaine overdose treatment isn’t provided. This danger is why quick treatment in these situations is essential.

Cocaine Myth #3: Cocaine Has No Side Effects

One popular cocaine myth is that it has no side effects. Cocaine isn’t safe, even in small amounts. Even a single dose of cocaine has effects on your health. In the short term, using cocaine causes:

These effects are hard on your heart and blood vessels. Cocaine can also have effects on your brain, like seizures, after a single, moderate use.

Even if you don’t die from an overdose, you can experience permanent long-term health effects from cocaine use, including:

Using cocaine to get through work can backfire by causing:

Cocaine Myth #5: Cocaine Makes Sex Better

Cocaine has a reputation as a sex enhancer. It’s true that cocaine increases your sex drive, but that doesn’t actually mean it makes sex better. In fact, cocaine can hamper sex by causing sexual performance problems. This is true in both men and women. Cocaine is also linked to riskier sexual behavior, including unprotected sex. 

There is a strong link between cocaine and erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction (ED), formerly termed impotence, is a widespread condition in males over 40 years of age all over the world. Thirty to 36% of cocaine abusers reported erectile dysfunction. Cocaine is a potent dopamine agonist, and chronic cocaine abuse may result in hyperprolactinemia or a dopamine deficiency with sexual dysfunction. 

Cocaine Myth #6: Snorting Cocaine Isn’t As Dangerous As Injecting It

Cocaine can be snorted, injected, and smoked, but no matter how it is administered, cocaine can have serious side effects on a person’s health. Snorting cocaine can also lead to problems specifically with the nasal passage and airways. 

One of the most significant long-term effects of snorting cocaine is the damage to the nose. A septal perforation or a “cocaine perforated septum” is a condition that is commonly caused by sniffing or snorting cocaine through the nose.

This preference for insufflation exposes the nasal mucosa to the intense vasoconstrictive effects of cocaine and the myriad of caustic additives with which it is often mixed, thus causing varying degrees of damage to the nasal tract. 

Cocaine Myth #7: There Is No Crash With Cocaine

Cocaine Myth #8: Cocaine Highs Are Easy To Hide

It’s not that easy to hide the signs of cocaine use. When you use cocaine, the signs of being high include:

The signs of cocaine addiction aren’t easy to hide, either. With addiction, you’ll start using cocaine many times in a day for days on end, which can get you caught fast.

Cocaine Myth #9: Cocaine is for the Rich

Cocaine is addictive to everyone. Most of the people addicted to purer forms of cocaine are wealthy and can afford the purity. Most of the people addicted to adulterated forms of cocaine such as crack cocaine are not wealthy. The more impurities, the cheaper the drug.

Cocaine Myth #10: Cocaine Highs Can Last For Days

You may hear people talk about staying awake on cocaine for days and wonder “how long does a cocaine high last?” The average cocaine high only lasts 15 to 30 minutes. But the reality is, in that situation, the person using cocaine is re-dosing over a long period of time. This is known as a cocaine binge.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment Near Me

First and foremost, if you think that a loved one is abusing cocaine, you should first research the drug and addiction associated with it so that you can better understand what your loved one needs. Next, you must plan an intervention to provide your loved ones with options to battle their addiction in a safe and supportive environment. During this intervention, make sure that you offer compassion and support instead of judgment. Lastly, offer your support throughout the entire treatment process.

In addition, prolonged Cocaine use can have severe physical and psychological effects, so it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. Inpatient drug rehab offers intensive care that can help you get through the early stages of withdrawal promptly. There are several myths about cocaine and other drugs, but no matter the substance, abusing these drugs is dangerous.

Medically-Assisted Detox

Detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug use. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can provide necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of withdrawals.

Psychotherapy 

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves making changes in both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Person-Centered Therapy – is a strategy that allows and encourages clients to understand and resolve their concerns in a safe, supportive environment.
• Solution Focused Therapy – is an approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Drug abuse and mental health disorders often co-occur. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in a mental health disorder and substance abuse. Dual diagnosis rehabilitation treats both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. In this strategy, both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder are treated simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend largely on the treatment for both disorders done by the same team or provider.