CAB Health & Recovery Services, Inc. in the news

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Dear Dr. Levy:

I have heard that one line of cocaine can lead to addiction. But I know many people who have used cocaine and never got addicted. What is the truth and can using a drug one time lead to addiction? Thanks.

You ask a great question and let me share with you some information about this. In general, most people who have tried drugs do not get addicted. Research has shown that for most drugs, more than half of these people did not continue to use the drug in the year following their first use. For example, after first using heroin, 69% of the people no longer used it and 75% of people who used crack cocaine did not continue to use it. In fact, alcohol and marijuana were the only substances in which the majority of people who tried these drugs continued to use them in the year following their first use. In particular, 71% of people who used alcohol continued to use it and 52% of people who used marijuana continued to use it. It is also clear that most people did not get addicted to the drugs, and the highest rates of addiction occurred with heroin (13% got addicted), crack cocaine (9%) and marijuana (6%).

That being said, while most do not become addicted or even continue to use the drug with the exception of alcohol and marijuana, there is a danger of addiction when using any drug, and a person never knows for certain whether addiction may result. And quite obviously, if a drug is never used, a person will never get addicted to it. In addition, excluding addiction, drug use carries many other risks, so because a person doesn’t get addicted does not mean that there is no risk to using drugs. These risks include overdose, legal problems, physical problems, and even death, to name just a few. So in summary, while most people do not become addicted after using cocaine or other drugs, addiction is a risk, along with many other potential problems.

Dear Dr. Levy:

My son is 39 years old. He has just completed a 3 day detoxification for alcohol abuse. He also has a drug problem which he takes Methadone for, 40 Milligrams everyday. He has been feeling anxious and nervous since coming out of the hospital. He saw his physician, who is giving him Zoloft, once a day. He started this about a week ago. He is still feeling anxious in the morning and it seems as tough when he takes his Methadone it helps. He just wants to know how long does it take for the effects of withdrawing from alcohol to subside.

In general, withdrawal from alcohol is a 4 day process, though some need somewhat longer and others need somewhat less time. The detoxification and the medications given are based upon signs and symptoms of withdrawal. So at this time, I don’t believe that his feelings of anxiety are alcohol withdrawal. That being said, there can be a protracted withdrawal from alcohol where someone's sleep may be off for quite some time. However, feelings of severe anxiety and nervousness related to withdrawal should not be continuing.

It is possible that his feelings are not related to alcohol withdrawal but perhaps due to some kind of anxiety disorder. It is also possible that these feelings could be a side effect from the Zoloft. Also, I hope that he has not been taking another kind of drug such as some kind of benzodiazepine as withdrawal from that kind of drug can last from 7-10 days, and withdrawal can cause anxiety. So in answer to your question, a withdrawal from alcohol is generally a 4-day process, although it can sometimes last a little longer. His feelings of anxiety can be caused by a variety of different things, and I would encourage him to speak with his doctor about this. If I can be of further help, please contact me again.

Michael Levy, Ph.D.
Director of Clinical Treatment Services
CAB Health & Recovery Services, Inc.
(978) 739-7691
e-mail: michael_levy@cabhealth.org