Cocaine Addiction: Addressing the Myths

Cocaine addiction is no myth, despite prevailing public thought.  Although it lacks the easy to identify physical withdrawal symptoms of say heroin addiction or alcoholism, cocaine is still highly addictive.   In fact, a research study from the University of California, San Francisco's Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center indicates that the first exposure to cocaine could leave users vulnerable to addiction.  It's no wonder that cocaine remains one of the most widely abused stimulant drugs on the market.
Misconceptions About Cocaine Addiction
More than other drugs, cocaine suffers from widespread misinformation and misconception:

Myth #1- Only for the Rich.

In addition to the myth that cocaine isn't addictive, the public incorrectly believes that cocaine is a drug of the wealthy.   It is important to understand that just like any other addiction or substance abuse problem, cocaine addiction spares no one and is widely spread throughout our society.  Although the movies may portray cocaine as a designer party drug, cocaine is available and used by all levels of society. Cocaine addiction is not limited by age, profession, race, income, or religion and there is no "cocaine addict" personality.

Myth #2- Cocaine is "safer".

It is also commonly believed that cocaine is a "safe" drug.  Many people are unaware of the side effects of cocaine addiction, or even single use, and view the drug as safer than other stimulants such as ecstasy.  The fact is that there is no safe substance abuse and much like other drugs, cocaine has dangerous short-term and long-term side effects. Some of these include restlessness, panic attacks, paranoia, psychosis, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and stroke.

Myth #3- Smoking cocaine is less addictive.

Some people believe that the method in which they use cocaine will affect their risk for addiction.  This is not true. There are three common ways to use cocaine: snorting, injecting and smoking.  Each method can lead to addiction and none is less addictive than another.   In all three instances, the drug is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream.
Insight into Cocaine Addiction
As we mentioned above, there are three common ways to use cocaine: snorting, injecting and smoking.  All three methods of abuse can lead to severe health problems and increase the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors.  No method is less risky or less addictive then another.

What does change depending on the type of use is the intensity and duration of the cocaine's effects.  The faster it is absorbed into the bloodstream the more intense, but shorter the high.  This often leads to binge abuse and cocaine addiction, where a person takes the drug repeatedly within a limited time frame.  Some people may continually increase the dosage during a binge to sustain the high, increasing the risk of adverse physical and psychological effects.