Many people associate cocaine addiction with celebrities and rich kids who have nothing better to spend their money on. While it is true that cocaine is a party drug, there are lots of people addicted on a much more serious level. People who need it to get out of bed in the morning, and for whom the idea of quitting seems impossible. This goes way beyond the occasional party bump and into a full-blown mess of addiction.

Cocaine Addiction at its Worst

There was recently a story that came out about a prominent NYC lawyer who was spending upwards of $500 per day on cocaine. This is a person who needed it just to get out of bed in the morning and in order to get any work done. Like with any substance, this is an addiction at its worst. It usually starts with dabbling here or there, like having a little cocaine at a party from a friend. With any substance, the situation continues to escalate over time until there is complete dependence. For example, an alcoholic would need a drink to get out of bed in the morning, a heroin addict would need a dose to get through the day without withdrawal symptoms, and a cocaine addict would need a bump to get going and motivated.

When you depend on something – anything – to get through the day, this is an addiction. To prevent addiction, it is best to stay away from experimenting in the first place so that you don’t run into any problems. There is no one addict out there who wanted to become an addict. Instead, they didn’t realize until it was too late that they had a problem.

Any and every addiction is dangerous, but cocaine addiction carries its own unique dangers that should be enough to dissuade anyone from trying it. Or, if you think you have a problem, to get help as soon as possible.

Cocaine uniquely affects the heart because it is an amphetamine that increases your heart rate and blood pressure. People with undiagnosed heart conditions can be at risk of a heart attack or stroke. If cocaine is done regularly enough, it can produce a heart attack or stroke in even the healthiest of people. Often, this comes without warning and can lead to sudden death.

Cocaine addiction also causes physical damage to your body. Famed singer Stevie Nicks is infamous for burning a hole through her septum by heavy cocaine use during her days with Fleetwood Mac. Other than that, cocaine can cause major anxiety, cardiovascular issues, and it also caused an overdose, especially when combined with other substances.

Last but not least, cocaine is seriously expensive. If you have a serious cocaine addiction, the amount of money you will be spending will be extraordinary. You’ll need a separate job just to find your habit. There’s a reason it is called the rich man’s drug, and that is because it doesn’t come cheap.

It is Possible to Quit Cocaine

Like with any addiction, it is possible to quit cocaine. It is recommended to do so in a medically supervised environment because cocaine withdrawal can cause some unpleasant side effects. The withdrawal symptoms alone are enough to cause a person to relapse. In a medical setting, you will have the medical and therapeutic support you need while you detox to ensure you do so successfully.

Cocaine addiction is harsh and comes with many consequences. However, it is possible to quit if you take the right steps.