In 2023, 5 million people aged 12 or older reported using cocaine. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that people use for its effects, such as increased energy, happiness, euphoria, elevated alertness, and increased confidence.
Long-term use often leads to dependence and addiction, which also has physical and psychological impacts, which could include depression, sleep disturbances, eating disorders, and heart problems. There are also other potential side effects related to cocaine use. For instance, some people want to know does cocaine cause hair loss?
Can Cocaine Cause Hair Loss?
The short answer is yes, cocaine does cause hair loss. It causes hair loss due to the hair follicles not getting the nutrition and blood flow they need to remain healthy. As a result, hair can start to fall out, break, thin, and recede. Some of the different ways cocaine use affects your hair include:
- Nutritional deficiencies: Regular cocaine use often results in eating less, meaning the body is not getting the vitamins and minerals it needs. Cocaine also alters how the body absorbs nutrients. Both of these effects can make the hair brittle and easier to break.
- Dehydration: Since cocaine is a stimulant, it can lead to dehydration because most people forget to drink plenty of water while under its effects. Dehydration also impacts hair and makes it brittle and easier to damage.
- Vasoconstriction: When someone is experiencing a cocaine high, their blood vessels narrow, reducing blood flow to different areas of the body, including the scalp. Insufficient blood flow weakens the follicles, leading to hair thinning and loss.
- Stress: People can become stressed when using cocaine, especially when they want to use but either cannot or do not have access to the drug. Stress can also occur during cocaine withdrawal. Elevated stress levels increase cortisol levels, which can lead to hair loss.
Symptoms of Cocaine Causing Hair Loss
Regular cocaine use forces the body to release increased amounts of dopamine, one of the “feel good” neurotransmitters. At elevated levels, people can experience euphoria, increased energy and alertness, and decreased appetite. While on a cocaine high, the body is not able to process the nutrients it needs. As a result, the body cannot maintain healthy hair follicles. So, some of the symptoms of cocaine causing hair loss that start to appear include:
- Thinning hair
- Hair falling out in patches when showering
- Excessive hair shedding when brushing one’s hair
- Hair easily breaks
- Small bald patches start to appear that continue to increase in size
- The hairline begins to recede
Seek Expert Help for Cocaine Addiction
Seeking help for cocaine addiction not only helps address restoring the brain’s chemistry and proper bodily functioning but also helps stop continued hair loss. Overcoming cocaine addiction can be challenging because it can be hard to want to give up the pleasurable effects it creates.
However, the longer someone continues to use cocaine, the more dangerous it becomes. Regular cocaine use leads to increased tolerance for the drug, meaning higher amounts are needed to achieve the desired effects. Eventually, the dosage levels can become excessive and dangerous, where one could accidentally overdose and potentially die.
When taking the initial steps to quitting cocaine, medically supervised detox is the first step in the process. Detox helps purge the body of the drug while receiving 24/7 monitoring to help manage withdrawal symptoms. Certain medications may also be used to address specific withdrawal symptoms. Counseling and therapy are provided as well.
Once detox is completed, individuals transition to one of several different treatment programs and care levels as follows:
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Residential rehab:
People reside at the treatment facility and receive 24/7 support and monitoring in a highly structured and intensive treatment environment. This level of care is well-suited for people with severe cocaine addiction, those without a support system at home, and those who are a harm to themselves or others.
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PHP:
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) provides the same structured and intensive care as a residential program but allows people to continue to reside at home. This level of care is ideal for people with a strong support system at home and those who can manage cravings and triggers on their own.
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IOP:
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a step-down level of care from PHPs. People have more flexibility and freedom to manage personal commitments outside treatment. Sessions generally are only half-days, several times weekly. This level of care is well-suited for those who have completed a higher level of care or those with mild to moderate cocaine addiction who can manage carvings and triggers with minimal support and supervision.
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Outpatient rehab:
This is the lowest level of care, which provides ongoing support and assistance to those who still need it. People attend therapy sessions a few times weekly on a schedule that allows them to manage personal commitments, like work, school, or caring for their family. This level of care is recommended for people who have already completed a higher level of care and who do not need daily treatment sessions to maintain their recovery.
Can Hair Grow Back After Treatment for Cocaine Addiction?
Since cocaine does cause hair loss, it is only natural to wonder if it can be reversed. Generally, any cocaine-causing hair loss is only temporary, and once the body starts healing, it also heals the hair follicles, and hair loss stops. However, using cocaine long-term may require additional treatments to help restart hair growth, such as:
- Taking hair growth vitamin supplements
- Using a laser cap
- Using hair care products that promote healthy, strong hair
- Getting scalp massages
Contact Renewal Health Group to Treat Cocaine Addiction
When you are concerned about your cocaine use causing hair loss and are ready to seek help for cocaine addiction, help is available at Renewal Health Group. Our caring and compassionate team provides comprehensive care tailored to your specific needs at our California treatment centers. With our support and guidance, we help you recover from cocaine addiction and stop hair loss. Contact us today to start your journey to a healthier, cocaine-free future.
Published: 3/20/2025
