Cocaine is a highly addictive drug. It works in the same way as heroin and nicotine by tapping in the brain's natural reward (dopamine) pathways. You experience pleasure every time you take it and a distinct lack of pleasure once it wears of, thus reinforcing the compulsion to take more. And more. And more.

Cocaine is a captivating drug that makes you feel confident, talkative, alert, quite a draw for those who find it difficult to feel that way normally. But, as the drug wears off, they are quickly replaced with the depression, anxiety and irritability of the come-down.

You will not become instantly addicted. Some people can take the same amount over extended periods and not become addicted. Availability, life style and personality are all factors.

But like occasional cigarette smoking, occasional "harmless" recreational cocaine use can slip easily into regular nasty long term abuse.

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coke problem?
Ask yourself: if there's some coke in the house and you can't resist taking it, or you spend all your time looking forward to taking it. If yes, then you should be thinking about where your coke use is going.

When coke becomes central to your thoughts and emotions, when you start planning your evenings around the drug, then you're entering the danger zone.

See our drug links section for information on organisations which can advise you if you are worried about your drug use.

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cocaine psychosis
In the worst-case scenario, you may end up with cocaine psychosis - a none-too-nice state of craving, insomnia, paranoia, restlessness, mood swings, lack of sexual appetite and weight loss.

Some anti-drug organisations will list cocaine psychosis as the inevitable side-effect of casual use. It's not. You have to work to get there, but it's easy not to notice how close you're getting.

Good news: stop the coke, if you can, and you will revert back to normal.