If you are searching for cocaine addiction help, you may be somewhere between worried and unsure. Maybe your own use has crept up, or a weekend habit has started to spill into the rest of the week. Maybe you are watching someone you love and wondering what you are seeing. This page is for you either way. It covers the signs, the health risks, emergencies, and where free help starts in the UK.
One thing first: this page is not a diagnosis and it is not medical advice. Stepwise Recovery is an independent publisher of twelve-step recovery guides and a UK and Ireland meeting directory. We are not a treatment service. Only you can say whether cocaine has become a problem, and only a doctor or drug service can advise on your health.
What cocaine and crack cocaine are, and the law
FRANK, the drug information and support service, describes cocaine as a white powder stimulant that is normally snorted or rubbed into the gums. It says there are three types: coke, crack and freebase, and that crack or freebase can be smoked through a glass pipe, tube, plastic bottle or in foil.
The GOV.UK guide to drug penalties lists cocaine and crack cocaine as Class A drugs. It gives the maximum penalty for possessing a Class A drug as up to 7 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both, and for supply and production as up to life in prison, an unlimited fine or both. GOV.UK describes supplying as selling, dealing or sharing drugs. These are maximum penalties, not a prediction of what would happen in any one case.
How common is cocaine use in England and Wales?
The ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales found no statistically significant change in powder cocaine use in the year ending March 2025, compared with the year ending March 2024. In that year, 2.1% of people aged 16 to 59 and 2.3% of those aged 16 to 24 had used powder cocaine in the last year. The ONS says its survey is likely to underestimate drug misuse, so treat these numbers as a guide, not an exact headcount.
On the treatment side, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) publishes adult substance misuse treatment statistics for England. For 2024 to 2025, it reports that the proportion of adults starting treatment for powder cocaine problems rose from 19% to 20%, the highest proportion since reporting began. The same report says the proportion starting treatment for crack cocaine problems stayed at 19% (32,399 people), unchanged on the year before.
Signs of cocaine addiction
This page is not a test or a diagnosis. FRANK says cocaine is very addictive, because regular use changes the way the brain releases dopamine. It says cocaine is mostly known for causing psychological dependence (addiction), and that people can sometimes keep using just to get past the negative after effects, which can raise the risk of dependence.
The NHS cocaine page says you do not have to take cocaine or crack cocaine every day to be addicted to it. It says a sign of addiction is that you have tried to cut down or stop but are unable to.
Below are some patterns worth noticing. They are prompts for reflection, not a checklist, and none proves anything on its own.
- Using more, or more often, than you meant to.
- Trying to cut down or stop and not managing it.
- Needing more, or craving more. FRANK says frequent users find they begin to crave more of the drug. The NHS says of addiction in general that it often gets out of control because you need more and more to satisfy a craving and achieve the “high”.
- Using to get past the comedown.
- Organising life around it.
- Hiding it, or being vague about how much.
- Money. Spending more than you can afford, or not being able to explain where it went.
- Carrying on despite the harm. The NHS says that if cocaine is damaging your relationships, work, money or health, you can get help to stop on the NHS.
If several feel familiar, treat that as a reason to talk to someone, not a verdict on you.
The comedown
FRANK says some people find that cocaine makes them feel down, anxious and paranoid the next day, or longer. It also says regular use can leave people feeling depressed and run down. If you notice a low or anxious patch after using, and an urge to use again to shift it, that pattern is worth mentioning to a GP or drug service.
What cocaine does to your body and mind
FRANK says cocaine can make your heart beat faster and raise your body temperature, so you feel hot. It says cocaine is risky for anyone with high blood pressure or a heart condition, that anyone can have a panic attack, heart attack or stroke if they take too much, and that even healthy young people can have a fit, heart attack or stroke after using the drug. This is here so nothing comes as a surprise, not to frighten you. FRANK also describes:
- Snorting. FRANK says that over time, snorting cocaine damages the cartilage in your nose that separates your nostrils, and that people who use heavily can lose it.
- Smoking crack. FRANK says regularly smoking crack can cause breathing problems and pains in the chest.
- Injecting. FRANK says this is much more dangerous than snorting or smoking cocaine, and that sharing needles or other injecting equipment can spread HIV and hepatitis infections.
- Pregnancy. FRANK says taking cocaine when pregnant can damage your baby and cause miscarriage, premature labour and low birth weight.
Anxiety, paranoia and your mood
FRANK says cocaine can make you anxious and panicky, and can make you paranoid. It says regular use can make people feel depressed, run down, anxious and paranoid. FRANK also says cocaine can bring previous mental health problems to the surface. If your mood has changed since you started using, tell your GP. If you need to talk to someone tonight, Samaritans is listed below.
Cocaine and alcohol, and mixing in general
FRANK says mixing alcohol and cocaine can lead to a toxic mix inside the body called cocaethylene. According to FRANK, cocaethylene stays in the body much longer than cocaine or alcohol alone, which increases any damage to the heart and liver. It also says the mix makes it harder to judge the effect each drug is having, so you might take more of each than you meant to.
More generally, FRANK says the risk of overdose increases if you mix cocaine with other drugs or alcohol. It says using cocaine with other stimulants puts extra strain on the heart, and that speedballing (injecting a mixture of cocaine and heroin) can have fatal results.
In an emergency
If you are worried someone is in danger, call 999. On its emergency page, FRANK says to call 999 now if the person:
- is unconscious or will not wake up
- has difficulty breathing or has stopped breathing
- has blue lips or fingertips
- is having a seizure (fit)
While you wait, FRANK says to stay with the person and not leave them alone, even for a moment. If they are unconscious but breathing, it says to put them in the recovery position: open their airway by tilting the head and lifting their chin, then lie them on their side and straighten their legs. If they are not breathing, FRANK says to start CPR, and that the 999 operator will talk you through it. For overheating, FRANK suggests moving the person somewhere cool and calling 999 if their temperature does not drop.
FRANK asks you to tell the crew what drug the person had taken, whether they had been drinking, and whether they have any medical conditions. It also says that in most circumstances ambulance crews and hospital staff will not tell the police, and that your safety comes first.
Getting help for cocaine addiction in the UK
Start with your GP or a local drug service
The NHS says that if you have a drug problem, you are entitled to treatment in the same way as anyone else with a health problem. It says a GP may be a good place to start, and that you can also approach your local drug treatment service yourself. The NHS cocaine page says you can refer yourself directly to that service. It adds that, unlike treatment for heroin, there are no medicines that work as substitutes for powder cocaine, crack cocaine and other stimulants.
To find a service, FRANK’s support finder lists local and national services in England that provide confidential information, advice and support, and says you can access services for free in your local authority area.
Call or text if you want to talk to someone
- FRANK: call 0300 123 6600, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or text 82111 and FRANK will text you back.
- Samaritans: call 116 123 for free. It offers emotional support, not addiction treatment.
- Emergency: call 999 if you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or drinking.
Twelve-step meetings
Cocaine Anonymous is an independent twelve-step fellowship. You can find Cocaine Anonymous meetings across the UK and Ireland, or try online Cocaine Anonymous meetings if you would rather start from home.
Narcotics Anonymous is another independent twelve-step fellowship. You can browse Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and our meeting finder covers more. Each fellowship describes itself on its own website. Meetings are support alongside medical care, not a replacement for it.
If you would like a written guide as well, Stepwise Recovery publishes a Cocaine Edition of its twelve-step guide. You can read about it on the Cocaine Edition page.
If you are worried about someone else
The NHS says getting help for yourself will put you in a better position for supporting your loved one. Its page of advice for families of people who use drugs says your GP can give you details of local support groups, and lists these organisations:
- FRANK: helpline 0300 123 6600.
- Adfam: the NHS says its website offers families help with finding support. Adfam’s contact page says it does not operate a helpline.
- Addiction Family Support: phone and email support for people affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol misuse, the NHS says.
- Families Anonymous: the NHS says it runs support meetings for family and friends of people with a drug problem.
- SMART Recovery: the NHS says its Family and Friends Programme includes online or face-to-face meetings.
- Release: the NHS says it offers free, confidential advice on drugs law for people who use drugs, and their families.
If the person is a child or teenager, FRANK has a page for parents and carers. It suggests a calm and honest conversation, being understanding rather than judgemental or critical, and talking to a FRANK adviser on 0300 123 6600 if that would help.
Stepwise Recovery also has a plain-language family guide to not enabling and a Family Edition for people close to someone with an addiction.
Frequently asked questions
Is cocaine addictive?
FRANK says cocaine is very addictive, because regular use changes the way the brain releases dopamine. It says cocaine is mostly known for causing psychological dependence, and that people can keep using just to get past the after effects. The NHS says you do not have to use every day to be addicted. If you are worried, speak to a GP or drug service.
What are the signs someone is addicted to cocaine?
The NHS says a sign of addiction is that you have tried to cut down or stop but are unable to. Other patterns worth noticing include using more than planned, organising life around using, hiding how much, and carrying on despite the harm. None proves anything alone, and a GP or drug service can help you make sense of what you see.
What is a cocaine comedown?
FRANK says some people find that cocaine makes them feel down, anxious and paranoid the next day, or longer, and that regular use can leave people feeling depressed and run down. If low moods keep following use, tell a GP or drug service. If you need to talk to someone, Samaritans is free on 116 123.
Is it dangerous to mix cocaine and alcohol?
FRANK says mixing alcohol and cocaine can lead to a toxic mix inside the body called cocaethylene, which stays in the body much longer than cocaine or alcohol alone and increases any damage to the heart and liver. It labels the combination “Unsafe”. It also says the mix makes it harder to judge the effect each drug is having, so you might take more of each than you meant to.
Where can I get help for cocaine addiction?
The NHS says a GP may be a good place to start, and that you can approach your local drug treatment service yourself. FRANK’s support finder lists services in England and links to services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and you can call FRANK on 0300 123 6600 at any time or text 82111. Twelve-step meetings are support alongside medical care, not a replacement. In an emergency, call 999.
If cocaine is a worry for you, or for someone you love, you can find a meeting near you and go at your own pace.
Stepwise Recovery is an independent publisher. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, any twelve-step fellowship, or any other organisation, charity, health service or public body named on this page. This article is general information, not medical advice: speak to your GP or a drug service about your own situation.
