With any drug, the probability of addiction is increased when the drug reaches the brain faster. The reward and pleasure centers are highly stimulated, and the brain creates positive reinforcement for the substance of abuse. The faster this stimulation happens, the quicker addictive cycles set in and the greater the likelihood of abuse.Forms of cocaine that can be smoked are more concentrated. They are associated with higher chances for addiction and more severe dependency.A study published in the journal Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology found that people who snorted cocaine had better treatment outcomes than those who smoked cocaine. People who used cocaine intranasally remained in treatment longer and trended toward longer periods of sustained abstinence.This does not mean that powdered cocaine is a safe alternative to smoked cocaine.The study also found that despite better treatment outcomes in some areas of measurement, these users still experienced the same severity of problems in other areas of their lives.Cocaine addiction treatment will be similar regardless of the method of ingestion. Many people who use cocaine may use multiple methods of ingestion, and they may also have polysubstance dependence.Individuals with a dependency on cocaine may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as:
Intense cocaine cravings
Irritability or agitation
Depression
Anxiety
Paranoia
Fatigue
Fortunately, many of these symptoms can be reduced or managed with an appropriate detox protocol that is designed for each individual, according to their specific treatment needs. After detoxing from cocaine, ongoing substance abuse therapy is recommended to ensure long-term success in recovery.