The link between depression and cocaine

In the short-term, cocaine use has an impact on your alertness and energy levels. But in the long-term, cocaine may have a negative impact on many areas of your health – including your mental health.

Here, we explore the connection between cocaine and depression. We’ll help you to understand whether cocaine can trigger depression, whether it can make existing depression worse, and whether quitting cocaine can offer some relief.

We’ll also look at different options for treatment and support, so you can make informed decisions for you or a loved one.

Can cocaine cause depression?

One of the fundamental questions surrounding the link between cocaine and depression is whether cocaine can directly cause depression. It’s a complex issue that researchers have been exploring for years.

The impact that cocaine has on the brain is at the heart of the matter. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that affects the brain’s reward system. When you take cocaine, it disrupts the functioning of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that play a crucial role in regulating mood. Cocaine causes dopamine levels to surge, leading to intense feelings of euphoria and increased energy.

However, this surge is short-lived and when the drug’s effects wear off, dopamine levels plummet. This dramatic drop, also known as a ‘crash’ or a ‘comedown’ can lead to feelings of sadness, irritability and despair, which are all symptoms of depression.

Also, repeated use of cocaine can lead to structural changes in your brain, especially in areas that help to regulate your emotions. When your brain becomes used to excess dopamine (as a result of chronic cocaine use), this can lead to a reduction in dopamine receptors which means you’ll start to produce less dopamine naturally. Over time, this decrease in dopamine can lead to a number of depression symptoms and other mental health problems.

However, not everyone who uses cocaine will develop depression. The likelihood of someone becoming depressed as a result of cocaine varies from person-to-person, depending on things like genetics, how much cocaine you use and whether you have any pre-existing mental health conditions. Find out more about the different causes of depression.

In summary, while cocaine abuse can contribute to depressive symptoms, it’s not the only factor. Individual differences and other factors also play a role in determining whether someone who uses cocaine will develop depression. Every case is unique.

If I’m already depressed, will cocaine make my depression worse?

Using cocaine when you have depression can have a particularly negative effect on your mental wellbeing.

The initial euphoric rush you get from cocaine can offer a brief escape from your depressive thoughts and feelings. However, this relief is short-lived and as the drug’s effects wear off, it can intensify your symptoms and leave you feeling worse than before.

Depression is associated with imbalances in neurotransmitters, and cocaine further disrupts these delicate chemical balances. Taking cocaine can lead to these neurotransmitters becoming depleted, making it difficult for you to find happiness or enjoyment in your day-to-day life. This can lead to persistent sadness, a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy and an inability to feel pleasure (known as anhedonia).

Also, using cocaine repeatedly can create a vicious cycle. You’ll find that you’re turning to the drug to self-medicate whenever you feel depressed, only to find that it intensifies your feelings of sadness and hopelessness in the long run. This can then make you want to take cocaine over and over again to feel the temporary relief it offers, which can lead to a dangerous cycle of tolerance and dependence.

If I stop taking cocaine, will my depression get better?

When someone stops taking cocaine, they may see an improvement in their depression symptoms.

As cocaine gradually leaves your system, you’ll likely notice a number of positive changes:

1. Brain chemistry stabilisation – over time, as cocaine’s effects wear off, the neurotransmitters in your brain will start to balance out and reach normal levels. This can help to reduce mood swings and emotional instability, and lead to improved emotional wellbeing
2. Improved sleep and energy – using cocaine can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and making your depression symptoms worse. By quitting the drug, you can regain healthier sleep patterns and experience increased energy levels, which can contribute to an overall improvement in your mood
3. Reduced anxiety – cocaine use and cocaine withdrawal can increase anxiety levels. However, when cocaine is fully out of your system, your anxiety will reduce. As anxiety often accompanies depression, this can lead to a reduction in your depression symptoms too, enabling you to feel an enhanced sense of calm and emotional stability
4. Thinking clearly – cocaine can impact on your cognitive functions, making it hard to think clearly and make decisions. As you come off the drug, your cognitive abilities will improve, enabling you to engage in more constructive thought processes and behaviours. This mental clarity can help you to manage your depression symptoms and enhance your cognitive functioning

However, it’s important to understand that while quitting cocaine can alleviate the depression symptoms associated with cocaine use, it’s likely that underlying depression will persist until it’s actively addressed and treated.

Treating a dual diagnosis

If you’re struggling with cocaine misuse and depression, it’s crucial that you get support. You’ll need a tailored treatment approach to help you get back on track.

Treatment for this dual diagnosis could include:

1. Initial assessment – the first step will be for you to go through a thorough assessment with a medical professional, so they can look at the extent of your cocaine use and depression. This assessment will help to determine the type and level of support you need. You could reach out to your GP as an initial step, or contact Priory directly to be assessed by a member of our specialist team
2. Medical detoxification – if you’re addicted to cocaine, you might need to go through a medical detox before you start therapy. During this, we’ll help you to come off cocaine while safely managing your withdrawal symptoms and keeping you as comfortable as possible
3. Integrated treatment – this is where we’ll help you to address your substance abuse and mental health concerns at the same time. This involves a combination of therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) as well as cocaine addiction treatment informed by the 12-step approach. These techniques will help you develop coping skills, manage cravings and address underlying issues that are contributing to both conditions
4. Medication – you might also be prescribed medication to help manage your depression symptoms, alongside therapy
5. Group therapy – taking part in support groups or group therapy, specifically tailored to dual diagnosis, can provide you with a sense of community, shared experiences and additional coping strategies
6. Relapse prevention – developing a relapse prevention plan is crucial. We’ll help you to identify triggers for cocaine use and depression, and learn strategies to avoid or cope with them in the future
7. Family and social support – we’ll also involve your family members, loved ones or close friends in the recovery process, to provide an additional layer of support and improve your chances of success
8. Aftercare – recovery is an ongoing process. After you complete treatment with us, we’ll give you access to free aftercare, which can include outpatient therapy, regular check-ins and support networks. This will help you maintain your progress and prevent relapse

Cocaine and depression can be a harmful combination. Getting professional help is crucial to breaking free from this destructive cycle and finding a path toward healing and recovery.