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Cocaine Four Times More Addictive Than Booze

Author: Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)
Saturday, June 28, 2003
Up to 40% of people who experiment with cocaine become addicted, according to a report in The State newspaper this week, in comparison to the 10% of drinkers who become alcoholic.

"There are very few long-term 'social' cocaine users," said James Wilson, a consultant from Southern California's Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services.

The article coincided with an in depth report in the (UK) Sunday Times on the genetic causes of addiction which suggested that the chances of becoming addicted to cocaine or alcohol are "70% due to heredity".

"I believe there's a hedonistic gene, a let's-get-blasted gene, which leads people to addictive behaviour," drug addiction expert Dr Robert Lefever told the Times.

"Whether that involves alcohol, gambling, risk-taking, sex-and-love addiction, prescription or recreational drugs."

While the Sunday Times article pointed out that individuals still have free will to stop taking drugs if they wish, the State article stressed that giving up cocaine can be particularly difficult due to a condition called cocaine anhedonia- ' a depression caused by the drug's disturbance of the brain's chemistry.'

"It's a very difficult period to get through," said Mr Wilson. "They (users) know that by getting high they can feel better again."

According to Ohio's drug treatment agency The Cleveland Clinic, the condition can last for years.

"Anhedonia is a state in which a person cannot experience pleasure," a report on their website points out.

"The user can overcome depression, but still feel as if he or she cannot enjoy life without cocaine. Anhedonia can last for years, which is one reason why cocaine addiction can be so difficult to treat," it says.
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