Concerned About Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine addiction can harm your relationships, work, health, and finances – even if you’re not using every day. One of the main signs is struggling to stop, despite wanting to. This page explains the signs of cocaine misuse, how addiction develops, and the treatment options available. With the right support, long-term recovery is possible.
What Is Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine addiction is a condition that develops when repeated cocaine use disrupts the brain’s reward system. Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant, and acts on the nerve cells in the brain, triggering a surge of dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure and motivation, creating an intense but short-lived feeling of euphoria. Over time, the brain begins to rely on cocaine to produce these effects, leading to cravings and compulsive use that are difficult to control.1,2
Despite its risks for harm and addiction, cocaine remains one of the most commonly misused substances in Ireland. Data shows that in 2022, there was a 4.8% prevalence of cocaine use among individuals aged 15–34, the highest in the EU.
Cocaine typically comes as a white powder derived from the coca plant in South America and is known by street names such as coke, charlie, or blow. It can be injected, smoked, sniffed, or snorted, and is often mixed with other substances. Cocaine is classified as a controlled drug under Ireland’s Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016. Its possession, supply, and production are illegal without specific authorisation, and offences can result in criminal prosecution.
Stages of Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction develops over time, often moving through four recognisable stages. Knowing where you are on this spectrum can help you identify when recreational use may be turning into dependence.
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Experimentation
Cocaine is used occasionally, often in social settings. The short-lived euphoria and increased confidence may feel harmless, but even early use affects brain chemistry.
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Regular Use
Cocaine use becomes more frequent or routine, such as on weekends, after work, or to cope with stress. You notice rising tolerance beginning to build, mood swings between uses, or a growing reliance on the drug to socialise or relax.
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Risky Use
Cocaine use begins to impact daily life, relationships and responsibilities. You may experience anxiety, restlessness, or cravings, and start using in isolation or unsafe situations.
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Dependence and Addiction
Cocaine use becomes compulsive. It feels hard to stop, even with negative consequences. Cocaine becomes a central part of your routine, and cocaine withdrawal symptoms – fatigue, low mood, cravings – appear when you try to quit.2,3
Common Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine is a Class A drug, and even small amounts can have serious health risks. Signs of cocaine use can occur immediately after taking the drug. Cocaine’s effects are often short-lived, fading within a few minutes to an hour after use.2
Physical Symptoms of Cocaine Misuse
Cocaine users may experience a range of physical signs and symptoms, including4,6:
- Dilated pupils
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Faster heart and breathing rates
- High blood pressure
- Higher body temperature
- Sweating
- Reduced appetite
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Psychological and Behavioural Symptoms of Cocaine
As a psychoactive substance, cocaine brings about various emotional or psychological symptoms such as4,6:
- Increased energy
- Mood changes, ranging from extreme happiness to irritability, anxiety or paranoia
- Difficulty sleeping
- Unpredictable behaviours
- Aggression or violence
It is important to remember that cocaine affects everyone differently, so its effects on any one individual can be difficult to predict. If the user has been mixing cocaine with other drugs like alcohol, symptoms may be more severe.
Cocaine Overdose: Know the Risks
A cocaine overdose can be life-threatening and may result in serious complications such as seizures, a heart attack, or stroke, particularly when taken alongside other drugs.
If you are concerned about a cocaine overdose in someone you know, seek medical help immediately. Experiencing severe symptoms of overdose, like difficulty breathing, chest pain, and seizures, represents a medical emergency.6
Warning Signs of Cocaine Addiction
If you or someone you care about has changed recently and you suspect they are using cocaine, it may indicate the early stages of cocaine addiction. Here are some behavioural signs of cocaine use to look out for:
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Behaviours to Look Out For
- Thinking about cocaine regularly or planning how and when to get it
- Feeling anxious or unsettled when you’re running out of your supply
- Hiding or lying about your cocaine use
- Increased secrecy around phone use, social media, or whereabouts
- Taking cocaine alone or outside of social settings
- Rising tolerance to cocaine – using more often or in larger amounts than you intended
- Finding it hard to enjoy social events without using cocaine
- Mental health issues – mood swings or increased irritability
- Losing interest in hobbies or responsibilities that don’t involve cocaine
- Missing school, work or family events without a clear explanation
- Stealing money to fund a cocaine habit
- Denying your cocaine use and the impact that the drug is having on your life
- Becoming defensive when challenged by others about your cocaine use.
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Early Changes in Behaviour
Recognising behavioural changes early can help you take action. Here are some signs that may suggest a developing cocaine problem:
- You feel unmotivated at work or school
- You are only interested in social events where cocaine may be available
- You feel disconnected from friends, family, or your own goals
- A loved one is spending more time with new or unfamiliar social groups, and frequently travels to unfamiliar places without explanation
- A loved one becomes secretive, stays out late, or frequently doesn’t return home
- You may find drug paraphernalia hidden in their room
- A loved one regularly runs out of money without a clear reason, offering vague or inconsistent explanations
- You feel immense relief and anticipation when given the opportunity to take cocaine.
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Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Addiction
Using cocaine long-term can have serious consequences for a person’s overall physical and mental well-being. Prolonged use could result in addiction.
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Signs and symptoms
- Heart problems, including heart muscle inflammation and heart failure
- Impaired brain functioning, including memory issues and cognitive decline
- Increased risk of seizures and strokes
- Damage to the gastrointestinal tract and long-term loss of appetite, resulting in weight loss and malnutrition
- Nasal problems, from repeated snorting of powder cocaine, such as constant inflammation, a runny nose and loss of sense of smell
- Lung damage, especially with crack cocaine use
- Infectious diseases, like HIV and hepatitis C contracted from injecting cocaine with a dirty or used needle and syringe
- Harm to the foetus during pregnancy
- Addiction and psychological dependence on cocaine
- Increased risk of mental illness, including severe anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis (loss of contact with reality) and suicidal thoughts.
Early recognition that recreational cocaine use is turning into misuse or addiction is a positive step. The earlier a problem is recognised, the more can be done to mitigate the harmful effects that may be encountered in the future.2,6
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
When someone stops or significantly reduces cocaine use after a period of regular use, they may experience cocaine withdrawal symptoms. These can begin within a few hours and typically peak over the first few days.
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Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
- Strong cravings
- Fatigue and low energy
- Reduced immune system
- Low mood or depression
- Vivid, unpleasant dreams
- Disturbed sleep (insomnia or excessive sleep)
- Increased appetite
- Slowed thinking or psychomotor agitation
- Anxiety or paranoia, a feeling of being on edge.
While cocaine withdrawal rarely causes life-threatening physical symptoms, it can be psychologically distressing. In some cases, individuals may experience severe depression, including suicidal thoughts, which require urgent medical support.
If you’re concerned about the risks of withdrawal from cocaine, it’s important to seek professional advice. Medically managed detox and psychological support can make withdrawal from cocaine safer and more manageable.
Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction
Addiction to cocaine is typically treated during a cocaine rehab programme, which can be conducted at a residential facility or as part of an outpatient programme. A residential programme may provide:
- A medically supervised detox aimed at getting you through the challenging initial stages of cocaine withdrawal.
- An addiction treatment programme using evidence-based therapeutic techniques such as individual therapy, group therapy, or complementary therapies to support your mental health and give you coping strategies.
- Aftercare, for support in the months beyond your initial treatment.
Every person is different, and the best recovery plan is one tailored to your specific needs. There are currently no specific medications for treatment. Some people may require medical treatments to manage the distressing effects, including the physical withdrawal symptoms, while others may find talking therapies and support groups to be most effective for them.5
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The Importance of Free Support Groups
Reaching out to friends and family, or following a 12 Step programme in local support groups, such as Cocaine Anonymous (CA), allows the progress made during the initial treatment to be sustained. Overcoming addiction is difficult to do alone, so making use of your surrounding community can provide ongoing support. Mutual support groups allow you to empathise with others going through similar experiences, and can provide strength and encouragement through difficult times.8
When To Seek Help
The crucial first step is initiating change. By searching for information, you have already taken a positive step. If you recognise any of the issues raised here, or are concerned that cocaine use or other substances are starting to control your life, it may be time to reach out for help. It is never too late to start looking for support.
If you are concerned about potential patterns of cocaine misuse with someone close to you, we can support you with information on addiction treatment for a loved one. Our team is on hand to arrange an intervention if that is deemed necessary, and can offer family counselling to support your loved one’s recovery and to help mend any broken relationships.
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How Smarmore Castle Can Help
Our team offers evidence-based addiction treatment and counselling, with inpatient care conducted within the grounds of Smarmore Castle in County Louth, Ireland. Your case will be managed by an experienced team of healthcare professionals who strive to provide a confidential and professional treatment environment. If you or someone you love consumes cocaine frequently, it may be time to reach out for support.
If you are ready to take the next step towards recovery, contact one of our team members for a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can you overcome cocaine addiction?
Yes, you can overcome cocaine addiction with the right support and treatment in place to help you begin your withdrawal and support you throughout your recovery to help you maintain abstinence. Recovery is possible, even if you’ve tried before and not succeeded.
At Smarmore Castle, you’ll receive medical care, psychological therapy, and ongoing aftercare and support to help you understand your addiction. Many people who once felt hopeless have gone on to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. You don’t have to do it alone—the team at Smarmore Castle are here to help you take that first step.
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What are the 5 warning signs of addiction?
Consider asking yourself the following questions3,8:
- Are you using more cocaine or struggling to control your use?
- Are you using cocaine alone or hiding your use from others?
- Do you feel anxious, depressed or extremely tired when not using cocaine?
- Do you need to take cocaine to function normally or mitigate cravings?
- Have you noticed changes to your physical, mental or social well-being since you started using cocaine?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, your use may be turning into addiction. Contact one of our team for a comprehensive, professional assessment.
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How does a person addicted to cocaine behave?
Although there are many different ways that cocaine can affect you, it typically makes you more talkative, energetic and confident. However, in some cases, particularly with higher doses, it may lead to engaging in unpredictable or even violent behaviours.2
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What are the treatments for cocaine addiction?
When it comes to cocaine addiction services, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some individuals benefit from outpatient services, but more severe or complex cases may require detoxification and inpatient care. Talking therapies, social support and symptomatic treatments are the mainstay of addiction therapy.8,9
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How long does it take to recover from cocaine addiction?
Recovery time can vary between individuals, depending on personal circumstances. A treatment plan with inpatient rehab may take between 4 – 12 weeks to complete, depending on co-occurring mental health conditions. At Smarmore Castle, we recognise recovery as a long-term, often lifelong, process.
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What is the difference between cocaine and crack cocaine?
Cocaine comes in two forms: powder cocaine (a hydrochloride salt) and crack cocaine (a smokable base). Powder cocaine is usually snorted or injected, while crack is made by heating cocaine with substances like baking soda to produce a solid ‘rock’ that is smoked. It’s called “crack” because of the crackling sound it makes when heated.2
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How can I help a loved one who is addicted to cocaine?
You can help a loved one who is addicted to cocaine by letting them know you’re concerned and that you want to support them, not judge them. Avoid arguments or ultimatums, and try to speak when they’re calm and more likely to listen. Encourage them to seek professional help – addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing. You can also contact our team at Smarmore Castle for advice on treatment options and how to approach your loved one. Family involvement can positively impact recovery.
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References
- Riezzo I, Fiore C, De Carlo D, Pascale N, Neri M, Turillazzi E, Fineschi V. Side effects of cocaine abuse: multiorgan toxicity and pathological consequences. Curr Med Chem. 2012;19(33):5624-46. doi: 10.2174/092986712803988893.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Cocaine. [Accessed March 2025].
- Marks J, Begum J. What to Know About Cocaine. [Accessed March 2025].
- NHSInform. Cocaine. [Accessed May 2025].
- Royal College of Psychiatrists. Cocaine dependence. [Accessed May 2025].
- Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF). Cocaine. [Accessed May 2025].
- Schwartz, EKC., Wolkowicz, N.,de Aquino. Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD): Current Clinical Perspectives. Sep 3;13:25–46. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/SAR.S337338.
- Hartney, E. BSc, MSc, MA, PhD. and Gans, S. MD. DSM 5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorders. [Accessed May 2025].
- Medical News Today? Why do signs and symptoms matter? [Accessed May 2025].