Newborns who were exposed to cocaine in the womb may have reduced weight and head size, blocked blood vessels in the brain, and other physical problems. They are often irritable, have sleep and feeding problems, and may suffer lasting developmental problems. Infants breastfed by cocaine-using mothers can experience increased heart rate, rapid breathing, extreme irritability, and seizures. Chronic users develop tolerance to the euphoria and other physiological effects. Taking larger doses results in increased sensitivity to cocaine s adverse effects, including anxiety, depression, seizures and psychosis.
Cocaine is considered by many to be one of the most addictive of all drugs of abuse.
However, instant addiction to cocaine does not occur. Recent studies have shown that the majority of people who try cocaine never become addicted. Users who progress from intranasal use to smoking or injecting run a much greater risk of becoming addicted. For those that become addicted, cocaine is a particularly difficult drug to stop. Intense craving for the drug occurs for many months and frequently leads to a return to drug use.