Cocaine Addiction & Rehab

How to Recognize Cocaine Addiction Symptoms

cocaine addiction symptoms

Cocaine is the second most popular illicit recreational drug in the country, right behind cannabis. The United States is the world’s leading consumer of cocaine, and addiction to the drug is a growing nationwide issue.

Signs of cocaine addiction may be difficult to identify, especially in the early stages of addiction.

If you worry that a loved one may be suffering from a cocaine addiction, keep reading for eight cocaine addiction symptoms you can watch for.

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a drug that causes the brain to release the neurotransmitter dopamine, causing a feeling of euphoria. The drug was first invented for medical use as an anesthetic. The high that cocaine creates is so addictive that an individual can get hooked on the drug only after using it a handful of times.

There are two main forms of cocaine: a powder that can be injected, snorted, rubbed into the gums, swallowed, or smoked, and a rock form called crack cocaine that is generally smoked. Crack cocaine is a by-product when making pure cocaine, and is the cheaper and dirtier form of the drug.

Slang terms for cocaine include: coke, crack, blow, freebase, nose candy, rock, and snow.

Cocaine Addiction Symptoms

Below are eight signs of cocaine addiction to watch for. Please be advised that displaying one of these signs may not be enough to conclude an addiction. A loved one displaying some or most of these signs may need help battling a cocaine addiction.

1. Erratic Behavior

Cocaine affects the mind and is a rapidly-acting drug that causes distinguishable changes in behavior. When someone uses cocaine, it takes effect rapidly, and the effects begin to wear off between 5 and 30 minutes. At parties, in particular, addicted individuals may need to disappear for minutes at a time to use the drug again. When coming down from the high, there is a crash where users will tend to eat or sleep more than usual. Because the drug acts and disappears so rapidly, users tend to binge on the drug.

2. Track Marks/Bloody Nose

Those who inject cocaine will have visible track marks or needle marks that cause bruising and sores, on their body. They may also have a white powder/residue on their nose or mouth, and may regularly suffer from a bloody nose due to snorting the drug.

3. Drug Paraphernalia

Finding drug paraphernalia is a common way for loved ones to detect that an individual is suffering from drug addiction.

For cocaine addiction, in particular, drug paraphernalia includes syringes, pipes, razor blades, spoons, small plastic bags with a white powder or rock-like substance, and straws or rolled pieces of paper or money used to snort the drug.

4. Weight Loss/Increase in Appetite

Heavy cocaine use is linked to rapid weight loss, both due to users sometimes skipping meals and an overall drug-induced change in metabolism. By interfering with metabolic processes, cocaine reduces body fat and can cause weight loss in addicted individuals. Because of rapid weight loss, these individuals may have an increase in their appetite yet be unable to put weight on.

5. Mood Swings and Risky Behavior

Those struggling with a cocaine addiction may display volatile mood swings due to the effects of the drug. They may become more irritable, defensive, and even reclusive. Because of the euphoria that cocaine generates, those addicted to the drug may begin to display more risky behavior, such as dangerous stunts or life decisions, or promiscuous sexual encounters.

6. Financial Problems

Cocaine is an expensive drug, and not a habit easily funded. Those who are addicted to the drug may soon face financial problems due to their dependency on the expensive, pure substance. Cocaine users may transition to the dirtier, cheaper form of the drug called crack cocaine to be able to afford their habit. If someone begins to suffer financially, they may also turn to stealing from friends or family. If cash, jewelry, or other goods seem to be disappearing, this is a definite need for concern.

7. Extreme Tiredness

Coming down from the high of cocaine, users will feel tired and display reduced activity levels. This may lead to excessive sleeping, causing an individual to miss social or family events, work, or school.

8. Withdrawal Symptoms

Those who regularly use cocaine may reach a time when they are unable to afford the drug or realize their addiction is consuming their life. These individuals will try to fight the addiction and may display cocaine withdrawal symptoms during this time.

Cravings for the drugs generally outlast the physical symptoms of withdrawal, which can include bingeing on foods, disruption in sleep patterns, depression, tremors and muscle aches, restlessness, and even vivid dreams.

Because cocaine has such a short half-life, withdrawal symptoms often start 90 minutes after using the drug. These withdrawal symptoms can last 7 to 10 days beyond the last use of the drug.

Treating a Cocaine Addiction

Unfortunately, between 50% to 90% of addicts who choose to detox outside of treatment centers will relapse into their addiction.

Cocaine addiction treatment requires intensive counseling and sometimes medical detoxification due to the high prevalence of cocaine users also using other illicit drugs.

Inpatient treatment is a common way to seek help for an addiction, providing an individual a peaceful environment where they can heal. Outpatient care can also be successful, but stressful workplace or familial variables may cause a loved one to relapse.

Concluding Thoughts

In the United States, cocaine is listed as a Schedule II drug due to its high potential for addiction. The drug releases dopamine, and withdrawal begins just 90 minutes after using it. This quick-acting drug forces users to regularly use it to continuously feel the euphoria it produces.

If you fear a family member or friend is suffering from a cocaine addiction, use the eight cocaine addiction symptoms above to gauge whether a serious conversation is needed.

Facing addiction or seeing a loved one succumb to it is heartbreaking. Whether you or your loved one are suffering from an addiction, it’s important to find a rehab program to help begin the healing process.

For additional resources on addiction and ways to seek help, visit our blog today or contact us at (877) 322-2450.



Cocaine and Psychiatric Symptoms. (n.d.). Retrieved from


About the author

Dr. Michael Carlton, MD.



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