Cocaine Addiction can ruin lives, wreck relationships and cause financial hardship. It is a highly addictive drug that can change the chemical makeup of the brain with regular use and, in some cases, lead to sudden death.

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug that can be abused in many different ways including snorting, smoking or injecting. Its effects are very short-lived and can cause an intense high that is followed by depression, fatigue, edginess, loss of appetite and cravings for the drug. It can also increase heart rate and cause muscle spasms, seizures or respiratory failure.

Research has shown that cocaine changes the way the brain’s reward system works by interfering with the body’s natural chemicals. It acts like a neurotransmitter to mimic dopamine, an important brain chemical involved in the feeling of pleasure. The high from cocaine is created when the drug enters the brain, blocks the normal recycling of dopamine and causes large amounts to build up in the space between nerve cells stopping them from signaling each other normally. This creates a flood of dopamine in the brain’s reward circuit, which strongly reinforces drug-taking behaviors.

The problem is that after repeated cocaine use, the brain becomes desensitized to it and needs larger and more frequent doses to produce the same effect. This is known as tolerance and it is one of the major signs of addiction. It can also lead to a more dangerous form of addiction, called psychological dependence. Psychological dependence means that the drug is needed to function normally and the user will experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, depression, anxiety, insomnia and cravings if they are unable to obtain cocaine.

People who abuse cocaine may become paranoid, have hallucinations or lose touch with reality. They can appear agitated or aggressive and become very withdrawn from others. They can also become very depressed and have trouble concentrating. Long-term cocaine use can also damage the lungs and increase the risk of a lung infection such as pneumonia or bronchitis. It can also cause a variety of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, stroke or cardiac arrest.

Often, cocaine is used along with other drugs and this combination can be extremely dangerous. When combined with alcohol, it can lead to a life-threatening chemical reaction that can cause the sudden shutdown of the heart and lungs.

There are some medications that can be used to treat cocaine addiction. The most commonly used are amantadine and bromocriptine, which reduce cravings, normalize sleep and increase energy. Medications are not as effective as behavioral therapy but they can be an important part of a treatment program for cocaine addiction. The first step in treating cocaine addiction is recognition and acknowledgment that the behavior is a problem. The next steps are deciding to get help and finding a treatment program that is right for you or your loved one.