Cocaine Use Disorder

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 10, 2025.

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Cocaine use disorder is a medical condition that develops from long-term use of cocaine. You are not able to stop even though it causes physical or social problems. Cocaine use disorder is also called cocaine abuse.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) or have someone call if:

• You have any of the following signs of a heart attack:
  • Squeezing, pressure, or pain in your chest
  • You may also have any of the following:
    • Discomfort or pain in your back, neck, jaw, stomach, or arm
    • Shortness of breath
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Lightheadedness or a sudden cold sweat
• You feel like hurting yourself or someone else.
• You have a seizure.

Return to the emergency department if:

• You have a temperature over 101°F (38.3°C) after you use cocaine.
• You cough or spit up blood.
• You have severe abdominal pain.
• You have a severe headache, confusion, or feel very nervous.
• You have weakness on one side of your body.
• You have chest pain, sweating, or shortness of breath.

Call your doctor if:

• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Therapy

may be offered in a hospital, outpatient facility, or drug rehabilitation center. The goal is to help you decrease or stop using cocaine.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you manage depression and anxiety caused by cocaine use disorder. CBT can be done with you and a talk therapist or in a group with others.
• Motivational enhancement therapy can help you set and reach healthy, positive goals.
• Twelve-step facilitation (TSF) is a short, structured approach to reach early recovery. It is done one-to-one with a therapist in 12 to 15 sessions.

Lower the risk for certain problems cocaine use can cause:

• Do not mix cocaine with medicines, other drugs, or alcohol. The combination can be life-threatening.
• Learn about the signs of an overdose so you know how to respond. Tell others about these signs so they will know what to do if needed. Signs include a fast heartbeat, chest pain, a severed headache, hallucinations, heavy sweating, and agitation. Get immediate help or call your local emergency number (911 in the US) for signs of a cocaine overdose.
• Work with healthcare providers if you are pregnant or want to breastfeed. Cocaine may harm your unborn baby's brain, heart, stomach, and bowels. It also increases your risk of a miscarriage, early delivery, or stillbirth. Cocaine can cause long-term medical problems for your baby. Do not breastfeed or give your baby breast milk when you use cocaine. The cocaine will go to your baby through the breast milk.

Follow up with your doctor or therapist as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

For support and more information:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  PO Box 2345
  Rockville , MD 20847-2345
  Web Address: http://www.samhsa.gov or https://dpt2.samhsa.gov/treatment/
  

• National Institute on Drug Abuse
  6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5213
  Bethesda , MD 20892-9561
  Phone: 1- 301 - 443-1124
  Web Address: www.nida.nih.gov
  

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

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