Is Cocaine a Depressant or a Stimulant?

The Connections Between This Powerful Stimulant and Depression

“Is cocaine a depressant or stimulant” is a common question people find themselves asking when faced with this drug. While cocaine is legally classified as a stimulant, there have been common instances in which people who use this drug experience depressive symptoms and side effects.

Even though the drug is known for bringing on heightened alertness and flooding your brain with feel-good hormones, eventually the old adage is true: “What goes up, must come down.”

As the effects of cocaine start to fade, so does your mood. You find yourself sinking into an emotional quicksand of sorts that is hard to pull yourself out of, even weeks after cocaine abuse stops. You might not feel pleasure from things you once enjoyed and it’s even possible to experience suicidal thoughts.

Navigating this tough period following cocaine use is a little easier when you know what to expect. Let’s take a closer look at the link between cocaine and depression, how to manage symptoms, and when to reach out to Ingrained Recovery for more help.

Understanding the Link Between Cocaine Use and Depression

Questions about whether cocaine is a stimulant or depressant usually arise after you realize how blue it makes you feel. It’s almost shocking how badly you can feel after doing something that made you feel so confident and happy at the moment.

Even though cocaine is a stimulant drug made from the leaves of the Coca plant native to South America, you will feel depressed when you crash. This Schedule II drug has similar effects as meth or prescription stimulants.

Stimulant drug use, like cocaine, causes an increased risk of depression. It is worse in people who are already struggling. What happens when you use cocaine is feel-good hormones rush to your brain. The surrounding neurons also can’t absorb any of these hormones for later. This prolongs the effects but also leaves you depleted after cocaine use.

As cocaine leaves your system, so do the neurotransmitters that affect mood. You won’t heal instantly after this; it takes time. This is even worse with long-term stimulant drug abuse. And, changes to your brain can make it hard to feel pleasure when you aren’t actively using stimulants.

Depression and Cocaine Comedown

Even if you’ve only used cocaine once or twice and aren’t struggling with cocaine addiction, you’re likely to experience a “comedown” after using cocaine. This is the period where your body and brain have to work to return to normal after cocaine use. Euphoria, increased energy, and brain activity start to slow, and you may find yourself feeling depressed.

Think of cocaine comedown as a recovery period for your central nervous system (CNS). It’s similar to the way you get a hangover as your body takes time to recover after a night of heavy drinking. You’ll feel fatigued and agitated. It might be hard to sleep, but if you do, you might experience nightmares or sleep disturbances. Increased appetite, muscle aches, slow reflexes, mood swings, and mental fog are also common symptoms.

Depression as a Symptom of the Cocaine Detox Process

Long-term substance abuse changes the way that your brain works. Your brain and body find themselves unable to function in the same way without cocaine. When this happens, and your tolerance builds, it means that you’ve developed a dependence on the drug. Once you’re dependent, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit using.

In addition to fatigue and generally low mood, there’s an increased risk of developing anhedonia or dysphoria from long-term cocaine abuse. Dysphoria is a type of deep depression or dissatisfaction. It’s a common mental side effect of stimulant withdrawal.

You may also struggle with anhedonia. You’ll notice that you don’t find pleasure in your usual activities and that it’s hard to feel happy unless you are using stimulant drugs. Some people also have suicidal thoughts or attempts while in this state.

Depression and Non-Fatal Cocaine Overdose

According to research, when someone is struggling with depression, they may act carelessly with their own lives. You might do more cocaine, even with your heart pounding and sweat pouring down your forehead. Or, you might act out in risky ways while under the influence.

While risk-taking behaviors are also associated with cocaine abuse, they also come from feeling depressed on a subconscious level. You might feel hopeless and act carelessly because you don’t value your own life.

How Depressant Drugs Affect the Central Nervous System

Depressant drugs slow down the messages being sent between your body and brain. They make you relax, relieve pain, and cause drowsiness. This is a much different effect than you get from the fine, white powder known as cocaine. So, is cocaine a stimulant or depressant drug? We look at how it affects the central nervous system to find out.

Cocaine: A Stimulant or Depressant?

Cocaine has the opposite effect of depressant abuse. It excites the central nervous system, raising blood pressure, opening up the blood vessels, and boosting heart rate. You feel excited, confident, and happy. Depression caused by this stimulant drug often comes from cocaine addiction. Once you develop a mental and physical dependence on the drug, it’s hard for your brain to produce mood-boosting chemicals like serotonin without it.

Does Using Crack Cocaine Cause Depression?

Crack cocaine, or cocaine hydrochloride, affects you the same way as the powdered form, but the high is more intense and does not last as long. It’s also more addictive because of this. As it has the same effects as cocaine use, crack cocaine also has the same risk of depression when you crash. The risk is higher for people with pre-existing mental disorders.

When Will Depression from the Use of Cocaine Go Away?

Depression caused by stimulant use disorders is sometimes temporary, lasting a month or two as your brain heals and neurotransmitters are replenished. For others, however, depression sets in deeply. It can also be a pre-existing condition, especially if you are still struggling months after stopping cocaine use.

Does Depression Caused by Cocaine Use Need Treatment?

Sometimes, depression reverses on its own over time. In other cases, you’ll need ongoing support. This might look like one-on-one counseling sessions, psychiatry, and pharmacological interventions like anti-depressants.

Why Consider Addiction Treatment for Cocaine Use Disorder

It can be hard to decide to seek professional medical advice when you’re going through cocaine withdrawal. You might be worried about getting in trouble or being judged. But the reality is, when you get help at a facility like Ingrained Recovery, you’ll feel supported through this process. 

The Benefits of Inpatient Cocaine Rehab

Whether you’re withdrawing from stimulant or depressant drugs, inpatient rehab offers a sanctuary of safety and comfort. You’ll feel supported through this often uncomfortable process and you won’t have to worry about managing some of the more severe symptoms of cocaine withdrawal on your own.

Cocaine drug abuse is also hard to overcome alone because of its addictiveness. On our 50-acre campus at Ingrained Recovery, you’ll be able to physically put distance between yourself and the temptations of this highly addictive drug.

Dual Diagnosis and Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Even though cocaine abuse can lead to depression, the mental health condition sometimes comes first. When this happens, you might use stimulants like cocaine to self-medicate. Since it makes you feel better, even temporarily, cocaine seems like it helps.

Unfortunately, stimulant abuse makes psychological symptoms much worse when you aren’t under the influence. This tempts you to use again, creating a cycle that can eventually lead to cocaine addiction.

Medical Detox for Managing Cocaine Withdrawal

During medical detox, we’ll be able to help you manage withdrawal symptoms through medication-assisted treatment. You’ll go through this uncomfortable (but necessary) part of detox somewhere you feel comfortable and safe. We can also help manage withdrawal symptoms like low blood pressure and heart rate, restlessness, agitation, and depression.

Presently, the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved any drugs to treat withdrawal symptoms from cocaine. However, there are several medications recognized by lab studies that help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. They can make you more comfortable while you learn the skills to truly overcome substance use disorders.

Behavioral Therapies for Dual Diagnosis

When you are struggling with the physical symptoms of withdrawal alongside mental health problems, it requires dual diagnosis treatment. Imagine for a moment that you’re on the other side of the withdrawal process. You are sticking to your treatment plan and going to support meetings, but then something big happens – maybe losing your job or the loss of a loved one. This sends you into a depression that you don’t feel prepared to handle. It’s hard to rely on your coping skills in your mindset and relapsing with cocaine or other drugs seems like an easy way to manage your pain.

Without proper support for depression during treatment, you are at a greater risk of relapse, like in the scenario above. Behavioral therapies can help you manage both drug addiction and mental health symptoms like depression.

At Ingrained Recovery, you’ll receive personalized support for this in one-on-one counseling. You’ll also learn these skills and see them in action during group therapy as part of the recovery process.

Find Help for Depression and Cocaine Addiction Ingrained Recovery

Cocaine is a powerful street drug and while its initial effects can provide an energy boost, its aftermath can feel like you are sinking into emotional quicksand. Let us provide you with the help you need to heal.

On our beautiful campus in Eastman, Georgia, you’ll find the support and dedication that you need to heal from depression and cocaine addiction at Ingrained Recovery. We understand the way that stimulant addiction and mental health affect each other. Call us today to discuss your personalized path to recovery and what it might look like.

References

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3770831/
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2851032/
3. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/cocaine