This is the stage of compulsion and preoccupation. Cocaine becomes the No. 1 priority in the addict's life. The preoccupation and compulsion is so strong that individuals become willing to do whatever it takes to continue possession of the drug. They will risk their marriage, their health, their home, their job and even their freedom to continue using. Their families and friends generally leave long before.
Denial has two components.
The second and often ignored type of denial takes the form of unawareness. Because the drug abuser is inclined to hang around with other abusers, attends parties where drug use is prevalent and avoids socializing with nonusers, he or she comes to have a distorted perception of the population, seeing most everyone as a drug abuser. Also, because users often alienate themselves from family and friends, they really don't see the pain and anguish others are suffering because of their drug use. They come to believe the impact on their spouse, kids or family is a lot less than it is in reality. And they believe it because in their reality it's true.