Cocaine is a highly addictive drug but not all users of cocaine
are addicted to it. However, some of those who are most addicted to it
believe that they are not addicted at all. They see themselves as being
party goers or people who couldn't possibly be addicts because they are
still in employment, still have a house and a car and still have money
in the bank.
Exactly the same is true for alcohol. Many people who have significant problems with alcohol often say that they are not alcoholic for these very reasons.
Even doctors sometimes say that cocaine is not addictive because it does not have specific symptoms of withdrawal. They are wrong. Addiction is appropriately defined as the inability to predict what will happen in any day after the first use of a mood-altering substance or process in that day.
As with alcohol or nicotine, we can stop for a time but it is difficult to stop once we have started. Also, Mark Twain got it right when he said, 'Giving up smoking is easy: I've done it nineteen times'.
Cocaine, alcohol, nicotine and other mood-altering substances are addictive to those who are born with an addictive nature. We may or may not crave to return to using these and other mood-altering substances. We may believe at any one time that we can control their use. In the longer term, however, that is not true. Addiction is always ultimately progressive and very destructive.
We see cocaine addiction symptoms when we look at the damage that it causes in someone's life. Snorting cocaine can cause perforation of the septum between the two sides of the nose. Cocaine use in any form can lead to paranoia and also cause heart attacks.
But these are just the physical consequences of cocaine use. The professional, financial, marital and social consequences may be much more devastating. In this way, paradoxically, the symptoms of cocaine addiction are often felt by other people, rather than exclusively by the person using it. We may not see the addicts when we look directly at them but we can certainly see where they have been.
When trying to diagnose someone else's cocaine addiction, we can look for runny noses or wild eyes or disturbed ideas but many perfectly stable people have those symptoms. It is the addictive behaviour that specifically distinguishes cocaine addicts from the normal population.
Addicts will tend to isolate themselves from previous social activities. They will protect the time, energy and money that they use on their addiction. They will continue to use, despite damaging consequences and despite the repeated serious concern of other people. Most characteristically, the first use in any day will tend to stimulate the perceived need for the next use. Once stimulated, the addictive urge continues.
Exactly the same is true for alcohol. Many people who have significant problems with alcohol often say that they are not alcoholic for these very reasons.
Even doctors sometimes say that cocaine is not addictive because it does not have specific symptoms of withdrawal. They are wrong. Addiction is appropriately defined as the inability to predict what will happen in any day after the first use of a mood-altering substance or process in that day.
As with alcohol or nicotine, we can stop for a time but it is difficult to stop once we have started. Also, Mark Twain got it right when he said, 'Giving up smoking is easy: I've done it nineteen times'.
Cocaine, alcohol, nicotine and other mood-altering substances are addictive to those who are born with an addictive nature. We may or may not crave to return to using these and other mood-altering substances. We may believe at any one time that we can control their use. In the longer term, however, that is not true. Addiction is always ultimately progressive and very destructive.
We see cocaine addiction symptoms when we look at the damage that it causes in someone's life. Snorting cocaine can cause perforation of the septum between the two sides of the nose. Cocaine use in any form can lead to paranoia and also cause heart attacks.
But these are just the physical consequences of cocaine use. The professional, financial, marital and social consequences may be much more devastating. In this way, paradoxically, the symptoms of cocaine addiction are often felt by other people, rather than exclusively by the person using it. We may not see the addicts when we look directly at them but we can certainly see where they have been.
When trying to diagnose someone else's cocaine addiction, we can look for runny noses or wild eyes or disturbed ideas but many perfectly stable people have those symptoms. It is the addictive behaviour that specifically distinguishes cocaine addicts from the normal population.
Addicts will tend to isolate themselves from previous social activities. They will protect the time, energy and money that they use on their addiction. They will continue to use, despite damaging consequences and despite the repeated serious concern of other people. Most characteristically, the first use in any day will tend to stimulate the perceived need for the next use. Once stimulated, the addictive urge continues.
Dr Robert Lefever is regarded as the pioneer of addiction treatment methods and rehab centres in the UK and is the leading expert in cocaine addiction symptoms.
He established the very first rehabilitation centre that treated patients with eating disorders, alongside those with drug and alcohol problems. He was also the first to treat compulsive gambling, and workaholism.
In the last 26 years, he has worked with over 5000 people suffering with stress, depression, and various forms of addictive behaviors, (principally problems with alcohol, drugs and food), as well as running a busy private medical practice.
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http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Robert_LefeverHe established the very first rehabilitation centre that treated patients with eating disorders, alongside those with drug and alcohol problems. He was also the first to treat compulsive gambling, and workaholism.
In the last 26 years, he has worked with over 5000 people suffering with stress, depression, and various forms of addictive behaviors, (principally problems with alcohol, drugs and food), as well as running a busy private medical practice.