Fortunately, cocaine addiction is less widespread than before. There was a time when it was very fashionable to use cocaine, and the harmful effects were less well known or minimized.

We know that addiction can occur very quickly, and that chronic use makes the user less capable of feeling pleasure naturally. Notice to thrill seekers: go mountain climbing or skydiving instead, it’s less dangerous for your health!

For people who are dependent and want help, we tend to favor multidisciplinary treatment centers. In these centers, there is medical and psychological help, in addition to offering treatment based on the 12 steps, which offers the possibility of moving towards recovery.

D^r Dominic Larose, MD, Montreal Heart Institute