7 Signs of Cocaine Addiction
People who use cocaine expose themselves to multiple kinds of serious health issues. Perhaps the most widespread of these issues is the onset of cocaine addiction. In fact, more than one in every five users of the drug is addicted to it. As a result, they will benefit from the expert help provided in cocaine addiction treatment programs. In some cases, signs that someone is addicted to the drug may not be obvious. However, there’s a good chance that you can spot some of the outward effects of this substance problem.
Signs of Cocaine Addiction vs. Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction: Is There a Difference?
The effects of cocaine addiction can be divided into two main categories. In the first of these categories are visible indicators that someone is addicted to the drug. This means that, as an outside observer, you can tell that something is going on. Indicators of this type are known as signs of cocaine addiction.
Other measures of addiction cannot be identified by outside observers. Instead, the only people readily aware of them are those affected by them. Issues in this second category of indicators are defined as symptoms of cocaine addiction.
Do addiction experts always treat these two terms as separate things? No. In some cases, the terms may be used as synonyms for the same kinds of problems. Still, technically, they aren’t the same. If you’re looking for indicators of addiction in someone, only outward signs of a problem are accessible to you. However, if you’re looking for indicators in yourself, you may pick up on both signs and symptoms of addiction.
Potential Signs of Cocaine Addiction
What are the specific possible signs of an addiction to cocaine? Things you may notice in someone who uses the drug include:
- Restlessness and/or irritability
- Unusual or unpredictable behavior
- A declining or absent appetite
- Bouts of paranoia
- Frequent mood changes
- Lack of attention to personal hygiene
- An uptick in lying and/or secretive behavior
An addicted person may also spend much of their day buying cocaine, using it, and/or recovering from its effects. They may also seem to lose control over how much cocaine they use or how often they use it. In addition, they may:
- Talk about their failed attempts to stop using cocaine
- Take the drug in increasingly large doses
A person affected by addiction may also disregard obvious signs of damaged health triggered by their cocaine use.
Signs of Cocaine Abuse
Some of the things you notice in someone who uses the drug may be signs of cocaine abuse, not addiction. What’s the difference between the two? Abuse is a heavy pattern of use that can harm you even when addiction does not occur. Possible indicators of this pattern include:
- Serious problems in the workplace, at home, or in school related to cocaine use
- Repeated use of the drug in dangerous or high-risk circumstances like driving a car
- Failure to stop using cocaine after it puts key personal relationships in jeopardy
Multiple signs of abuse and/or addiction can, and often do, occur together.
Find Relief from Cocaine Addiction at Tree House Recovery
Worried that someone you know may have a cocaine addiction? Contact the professionals at Tree House Recovery. We can help you determine if your suspicions are valid. We can also suggest effective ways to encourage your loved one to get a formal diagnosis and enter treatment.
Tree House Recovery is your source for convenient, expert cocaine rehab. We’re dedicated to helping even the busiest people get the support they need to break the cycle of addiction. To learn more about our services, just call us today 910.812.1728 or complete our online form.