The continued use of cocaine is very damaging to the body. Cocaine use can lead to permanent physical problems and even death. Trying cocaine just once can lead to cocaine addiction. The short-term effects of cocaine use can be seen immediately in a user, even for those who have tried the drug only once. The effects of short-term use include an increased heart rate, dilated pupils and a decreased appetite.

Cocaine has intense mental and physical effects. The effects of long-term cocaine use are determined by the amount and length of cocaine use. Long-term effects include mood swings, paranoia, restlessness and addiction. Other users will experience a disconnection with reality, auditory hallucinations and periods of paranoid psychosis.

Cocaine is highly addictive due to its immediate euphoric effect. During a cocaine high, users will experience increased mental alertness and reduced fatigue. This euphoric feeling can last up to 30 minutes. The drug quickly becomes addictive as the body builds a tolerance to the euphoric feeling. This tolerance means the body requires more of the drug to reach the anticipated euphoric high.

Repeat cocaine use has detrimental health effects on the body. Regular cocaine users experience respiratory failure, headaches and seizures, nausea, abdominal pain, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, stroke and heart attacks. Chronic users can become malnourished due to a decreased appetite, which is an effect of the drug. Cocaine addiction treatment is aimed at treating users who suffer from the mental and physical disorders of continued cocaine use.