Women and Cocaine Addiction
By Staff Writer
Historically, cocaine has appealed to more men than women. But a recent surge in women seeking treatment for cocaine abuse has addiction experts questioning whether a new breed of cocaine addiction is on the horizon.
In England, the number of women under 35 entering treatment for cocaine addiction has increased by 60 percent in the past four years. Female cocaine addicts now make up the fastest growing group entering drug rehab in that country. Experts blame increased accessibility, lower cost and greater social acceptance for cocaine's growing popularity, as well as the fact that more women are abusing alcohol, which is commonly abused along with cocaine.
Local officials in some areas of the U.S. report another worrisome trend: women abusing cocaine to control their weight. WBAL-TV in Baltimore interviewed one woman who said she would go on coke binges because it seemed "really glamorous and really Hollywood." This mystique may owe in part to admitted cocaine use by Wall Street traders, fashion models like Kate Moss and celebrities like Amy Winehouse, as well as glamorization of the drug in movies like "Blow."
After these coke binges, she found that she wasn't hungry for days. Cocaine increases the body's metabolism and heart rate and suppresses appetite. Because society is obsessed with thinness, weight loss then reinforces the use of cocaine.
Like excessive dieting and exercise, using cocaine to maintain a thin physique is extremely dangerous. As the woman interviewed by WBAL-TV discovered, the weight loss comes at a price.
"Once you're laying on the bathroom floor, throwing up or something else, you don't feel beautiful or glamorous anymore - you feel ugly."
Signs of Cocaine Use
Weight loss is just one sign that a person is using cocaine. Other red flags include:
- Dilated pupils
- Increased talkativeness, excited speech and high energy levels
- Sniffling or signs of having a cold
- Anxiety or paranoia
If a person goes into cocaine withdrawal, they will display symptoms such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, an inability to feel pleasure, increased cocaine cravings, and muscle aches, tremors and chills.
The Dangers of Cocaine Use
Despite the growing popularity and social acceptance of cocaine use, the drug itself is more dangerous and un-glamorous than ever. The purity of cocaine has fallen substantially, and it is being cut with more dangerous substances. Still, few users fully grasp the risks they are taking, instead viewing cocaine use as a "lifestyle choice."
Cocaine use poses significant health risks, including convulsions, ulcers, heart failure, respiratory system failure, headaches, nausea and stroke. Users are also more likely to engage in violence, criminal behavior and risky sexual encounters. Combining cocaine with alcohol compounds the danger, as the mixture leaves a highly toxic chemical in the liver called cocaethylene.
As with other types of addiction, individuals who use cocaine not only impact their own health and well-being but also those of their families, friends and communities. Addiction breeds denial, codependency and other unhealthy dynamics in all of the addict's relationships.
Cocaine Affects Women Differently Than Men
Research shows that women respond to cocaine differently than men. A study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that women are less sensitive to cocaine than men, and men tend to have both more intense euphoric and negative reactions to cocaine than women.
Women naturally have higher levels of an enzyme called cholinesterases, which breaks down cocaine, so they metabolize the drug much faster than men. In addition, the physical and hormonal changes that take place in women's bodies during menstruation may help explain why they are less sensitive to cocaine's effects than men.
Because differences in hormones and metabolism can affect how men and women react to drugs and drug treatment, some addiction treatment centers are taking a new approach to the way they treat men and women with cocaine addiction.
Treatment for Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction is among the most serious of all illicit drug addictions. Treatment is almost always required in order to overcome a dependence on cocaine. Research has shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy is a particularly effective form of cocaine addiction treatment, helping users re-evaluate their destructive thoughts and behaviors and avoid relapse.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is even more helpful when used in combination with other forms of cocaine addiction treatment, such as group counseling, NA meetings and experiential therapy. These forms of treatment can be found in residential addiction treatment centers and some outpatient drug treatment programs.
