Perhaps you’re feeling anxious in yourself after using cocaine, or maybe you’re starting to notice it in someone else? Either way, it’s good to have an understanding of how drugs and other substances can affect your mental well-being. In this blog, we’re answering the question, can cocaine cause anxiety?
Cocaine is a Class A drug that can have serious consequences on people’s lives. Not only can it affect your health, but it can also have huge impacts on the people around you. This is often one of the most common reasons why family members or friends may feel the need to talk to you about your drug-taking habits.
Cocaine is something that may be taken on social occasions, but it can also be used in conjunction with other substances, such as alcohol. This can make things more complicated if you require any emergency treatment.
As we mentioned above, cocaine can have serious side effects, some of which may even be life-changing or life-threatening. It’s vital that you understand the signs of having too much cocaine. Read our blog on signs of a cocaine overdose.
There are long-term consequences of cocaine abuse that you should be aware of. Extended cocaine use can lead to changes to the brain’s structure, further impacting your mental and physical health.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling that many people can experience to an extent. Many people might feel anxious when they are dealing with something stressful or are attending an important event, such as a job interview. This type of anxiety is normal and can even be helpful.
Anxiety becomes more severe when it affects your everyday life. One common form of anxiety is generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). This type of anxiety cannot usually be attributed to one event, but rather, someone feels anxious about many different events, situations and issues. These types of anxiety can be known as anxiety disorders. Help is available for all mental health issues.
A person who is struggling with an anxiety disorder will also struggle to feel relaxed and likely feel anxious every single day. These people may become less anxious about one thing, but then another anxiety may also arise. Other types of anxiety disorder can include panic disorder and social anxiety.
Anxiety symptoms
A person who is struggling with anxiety might experience some of the following symptoms.
- Excessive worry
- Struggling to concentrate
- Struggling to sleep/severe insomnia
- Feeling dizzy
- Having heart palpitations and chest pain
- Some people may experience a panic attack as a result of heightened stress hormones/chronic stress
Can cocaine cause anxiety?
Yes, cocaine use can be a contributing factor to feelings of anxiety. There are many reasons for this. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system, which can lead to imbalances in brain chemistry.
Cocaine works by altering the dopamine levels in the brain, which is related to the brain’s reward system. This means that when people take cocaine, they may feel a rush of accomplishment. However, as the drug wears off, this causes feelings of anxiety and even sometimes depression. Read our blog on: is there a link between cocaine and depression?
The problem with the alterations to the brain’s chemistry is that repeated cocaine use can make it difficult for the brain to recycle the dopamine. This leads to people struggling to feel those great feelings of accomplishment and joy. Taking cocaine is a vicious cycle which can cause many physical stresses.
Additionally, the body can become reliant on these ‘high’ feelings, which can cause people to take more cocaine.
Those taking drugs can often experience feelings of paranoia alongside anxiety. The longer that you use the substance, and the more you take, the more difficult it will likely be to change your situation for the better. Read our blog on what is coke jaw and why does it happen?
What happens if I already struggle with existing anxiety disorders?
Some people turn to drugs and alcohol as a result of feeling anxious. While this may help to make you relax and feel a little better in the short term, it generally only makes your situation worse.
If you already suffer from an anxiety disorder, you will likely find that drug use only exacerbates your symptoms, causing you to feel even worse. This is the same as with other mental disorders.
When you decide to seek help for your cocaine addiction, you may be asked about any prior mental health issues you may have been facing. Some people may not have displayed any signs of mental health conditions at all.
Anxiety can be very difficult to deal with and comes with many symptoms, both physical and mental. Anxiety disorders can be very tiring conditions to deal with, even without cocaine use.
You may experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to cut down on cocaine use, which is why it can be best to complete this step with help from professionals. Read our blog on how to clean out cocaine from your system.
What causes anxiety?
There are some common reasons why someone may start to experience anxiety. However, it’s also worth noting that sometimes, mental health conditions can arise without any trigger. Here are some of the factors that can play a role in anxiety beginning.
- Inherited genes
- History of stressful or traumatic experiences
- Existing long-term health conditions
- History of drug use can lead to developing anxiety disorders
- History of alcohol abuse
Anxiety can affect people of any age and any gender. The good news is that there is support available for treating anxiety. You may be able to access medication or talking therapies to help you learn valuable ways to deal with your condition. You should speak to your GP about your treatment options. They will help you to find the right treatment.
It can be scary to take the first step and seek support for your mental well-being, but it is the right thing to do to help you feel better and live a more fulfilled life.
Can cocaine cause panic attacks?
Panic attacks can be experienced as a result of increased anxiety. Panic attacks can be extremely challenging to deal with, and they can cause increased heart rate, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, sweating and more.
Due to cocaine potentially increasing feelings of anxiety, it can also increase the risk of panic attacks. You may find it useful to research some methods for dealing with panic attacks until they pass, such as breathing techniques.
How can I deal with my cocaine addiction?
When it comes to cocaine addiction, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Seeking advice early can make it easier to deal with addiction and substance abuse.
At Acquiesce rehab centre, we understand that it can be extremely overwhelming to deal with cocaine addiction. It can also feel this way for the loved ones around you. Read our blog on the role of family support in cocaine addiction recovery.
We ensure that each patient receives individualised care from our team of specialists. We will work with you to identify your needs and challenges and build a personalised plan.
Our expert plan comprises many evidence-based techniques to help you understand the root cause of your addiction, develop healthy coping mechanisms and build a strong support system.
Our goal is to help you overcome addiction and learn the vital skills to maintain long-term sobriety from cocaine use. Read our blog on personal stories of recovery from cocaine addiction.
Are you ready to start your cocaine rehabilitation journey and live a happier life free from cocaine and anxiety? Contact us today for immediate support with cocaine use.
