GITNUXREPORT 2025

Cocaine Abuse Statistics

Cocaine abuse affects millions, causing deaths, health issues, and societal costs.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Cocaine craving and dependence are linked with dysfunction in the brain’s prefrontal cortex

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About 25% of individuals treated for cocaine addiction relapse within one month of treatment completion

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The average cost of treatment per individual for cocaine dependence in the U.S. is about $7,000

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Cocaine dependence increases the risk of developing other mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, in approximately 60% of users

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Around 15% of cocaine users seek treatment for addiction annually, but only about half complete successful treatment programs

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Treatment retention rates for cocaine addiction average around 30%, highlighting the challenges in long-term recovery

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In the United States, cocaine was involved in 15% of all drug overdose deaths in 2020

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Cocaine is responsible for about 14% of all emergency department visits related to illicit drug use in the U.S.

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Cost analysis indicates that the societal costs of cocaine abuse in the U.S. exceed $70 billion annually

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Cocaine overdose rates increased by approximately 35% during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.

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Cocaine can cause serious cardiovascular issues, with about 10% of overdose deaths involving cardiac arrest

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Nearly half of all cocaine-related overdose deaths involve poly-drug use, especially with opioids

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Cocaine-related psychiatric emergency visits have increased by approximately 18% over the past five years

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The median dose of cocaine associated with overdose is approximately 75 mg, but purity variations make exact thresholds difficult to determine

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Cocaine use during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight and developmental issues in newborns

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Cocaine-related mortality among men is twice as high as among women

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Chronic cocaine use can cause nasal septum perforation in up to 30% of users, especially among crack users

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Cocaine's effects on the brain can last from 30 minutes up to 2 hours, depending on the method of use

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Long-term cocaine abuse can lead to significant weight loss and malnutrition, affecting about 25% of chronic users

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Cocaine-related emergency room visits involving cardiovascular problems increased by 10% from 2018 to 2020

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Cocaine’s impact on neurotransmitter levels, particularly dopamine, contributes to its high addiction potential, with dopamine levels rising up to 12 times normal after use

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The average amount of cocaine consumed per user per occasion in the U.S. is about 45 mg, with higher doses correlating with increased overdose risk

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Cocaine-related deaths involving poly-drug use increased by approximately 40% over the last five years, particularly involving opioids

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Cocaine seizures accounted for roughly 42% of all drug seizures worldwide in 2022

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Cocaine-related arrests in the U.S. decreased slightly in 2022 compared to previous years

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The number of cocaine-related arrests fell by 10% in the U.S. from 2021 to 2022, indicating shifts in law enforcement focus

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The global cocaine market was valued at approximately $145 billion in 2022

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The average purity of seized cocaine worldwide is around 55%

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Synthetic derivatives of cocaine account for a growing part of the illicit market, with 60% of seized samples containing adulterants or synthetic forms

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The global demand for cocaine exceeds supply by roughly 200%, indicating high potential for further market growth

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Cocaine's average retail price per gram varies globally, ranging from $60 in some Latin American markets to over $200 in some European countries

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The global cocaine trafficking routes primarily include South American countries, notably Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, with significant shipments also originating from Mexico

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The use of medical cocaine as a local anesthetic has been largely replaced by synthetic alternatives but remains in limited medical procedures in some countries

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Approximately 21 million people aged 12 or older worldwide are users of cocaine

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Around 1.9 million Americans aged 12 or older reported using cocaine in the past year

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Cocaine use disorder is diagnosed in approximately 1.1 million Americans

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The prevalence of cocaine use among college students is about 3.8%

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Usage of crack cocaine remains higher among African American populations, at about 3.4% compared to 0.4% among whites

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The median age of first cocaine use among users in the U.S. is approximately 20 years old

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Cocaine use disorder is more prevalent in urban areas compared to rural regions, with urban prevalence rates around 2.8%

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Adolescents aged 12-17 account for approximately 7% of new cocaine users yearly

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Cocaine constitutes about 0.7% of all admissions to substance abuse treatment facilities in the U.S.

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About 3.5 million Americans aged 12 or older have used crack cocaine at least once in their lifetime

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The percentage of high school students reporting current cocaine use is around 0.8%

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The detection rate of cocaine in wastewater analysis in major metropolitan areas has seen a 20% increase over the past decade, indicating rising use patterns

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The global prevalence of cocaine use disorder in adults is estimated at 0.3%, or approximately 23 million people worldwide

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Key Highlights

Approximately 21 million people aged 12 or older worldwide are users of cocaine
In the United States, cocaine was involved in 15% of all drug overdose deaths in 2020
Around 1.9 million Americans aged 12 or older reported using cocaine in the past year
Cocaine use disorder is diagnosed in approximately 1.1 million Americans
The prevalence of cocaine use among college students is about 3.8%
Cocaine is responsible for about 14% of all emergency department visits related to illicit drug use in the U.S.
The global cocaine market was valued at approximately $145 billion in 2022
Cocaine seizures accounted for roughly 42% of all drug seizures worldwide in 2022
The average purity of seized cocaine worldwide is around 55%
Cocaine-related arrests in the U.S. decreased slightly in 2022 compared to previous years
Usage of crack cocaine remains higher among African American populations, at about 3.4% compared to 0.4% among whites
The median age of first cocaine use among users in the U.S. is approximately 20 years old
Cost analysis indicates that the societal costs of cocaine abuse in the U.S. exceed $70 billion annually

Despite global efforts to curb its grip, cocaine addiction continues to devastate millions worldwide, with staggering statistics revealing its widespread use, deadly consequences, and the immense societal costs it entails.

Health and Treatment Outcomes

Cocaine craving and dependence are linked with dysfunction in the brain’s prefrontal cortex
About 25% of individuals treated for cocaine addiction relapse within one month of treatment completion
The average cost of treatment per individual for cocaine dependence in the U.S. is about $7,000
Cocaine dependence increases the risk of developing other mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, in approximately 60% of users
Around 15% of cocaine users seek treatment for addiction annually, but only about half complete successful treatment programs
Treatment retention rates for cocaine addiction average around 30%, highlighting the challenges in long-term recovery

Health and Treatment Outcomes Interpretation

Despite the hefty $7,000 price tag and a mere 15% annual treatment uptake, cocaine’s grip—rooted in prefrontal cortex dysfunction—keeps relapse looming at nearly 25% within a month, underscoring both the brain's vulnerability and the urgent need for more effective, sustained recovery strategies.

Impact and Harm Associated with Cocaine

In the United States, cocaine was involved in 15% of all drug overdose deaths in 2020
Cocaine is responsible for about 14% of all emergency department visits related to illicit drug use in the U.S.
Cost analysis indicates that the societal costs of cocaine abuse in the U.S. exceed $70 billion annually
Cocaine overdose rates increased by approximately 35% during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
Cocaine can cause serious cardiovascular issues, with about 10% of overdose deaths involving cardiac arrest
Nearly half of all cocaine-related overdose deaths involve poly-drug use, especially with opioids
Cocaine-related psychiatric emergency visits have increased by approximately 18% over the past five years
The median dose of cocaine associated with overdose is approximately 75 mg, but purity variations make exact thresholds difficult to determine
Cocaine use during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight and developmental issues in newborns
Cocaine-related mortality among men is twice as high as among women
Chronic cocaine use can cause nasal septum perforation in up to 30% of users, especially among crack users
Cocaine's effects on the brain can last from 30 minutes up to 2 hours, depending on the method of use
Long-term cocaine abuse can lead to significant weight loss and malnutrition, affecting about 25% of chronic users
Cocaine-related emergency room visits involving cardiovascular problems increased by 10% from 2018 to 2020
Cocaine’s impact on neurotransmitter levels, particularly dopamine, contributes to its high addiction potential, with dopamine levels rising up to 12 times normal after use
The average amount of cocaine consumed per user per occasion in the U.S. is about 45 mg, with higher doses correlating with increased overdose risk
Cocaine-related deaths involving poly-drug use increased by approximately 40% over the last five years, particularly involving opioids

Impact and Harm Associated with Cocaine Interpretation

Despite accounting for roughly 15% of overdose fatalities and costing American society over $70 billion annually, cocaine's grip on the U.S. persists—with a 35% surge in overdose rates during COVID-19, a dangerous dance with opioids, and the destructive toll of poly-drug use—reminding us that beneath its glamorous façade lies a crisis fueled by both desire and devastation.

Legal and Enforcement Statistics

Cocaine seizures accounted for roughly 42% of all drug seizures worldwide in 2022
Cocaine-related arrests in the U.S. decreased slightly in 2022 compared to previous years
The number of cocaine-related arrests fell by 10% in the U.S. from 2021 to 2022, indicating shifts in law enforcement focus

Legal and Enforcement Statistics Interpretation

While cocaine seizures dominate nearly half of global drug confiscations, the slight dip in U.S. arrests hints at a shifting landscape in enforcement priorities—perhaps a signal that traffickers and users alike are adapting to an evolving war on drugs.

Market Dynamics and Pricing

The global cocaine market was valued at approximately $145 billion in 2022
The average purity of seized cocaine worldwide is around 55%
Synthetic derivatives of cocaine account for a growing part of the illicit market, with 60% of seized samples containing adulterants or synthetic forms
The global demand for cocaine exceeds supply by roughly 200%, indicating high potential for further market growth
Cocaine's average retail price per gram varies globally, ranging from $60 in some Latin American markets to over $200 in some European countries
The global cocaine trafficking routes primarily include South American countries, notably Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, with significant shipments also originating from Mexico
The use of medical cocaine as a local anesthetic has been largely replaced by synthetic alternatives but remains in limited medical procedures in some countries

Market Dynamics and Pricing Interpretation

With a $145 billion valuation in 2022 and a market that is 200% outstripping supply, the global cocaine trade—now riddled with synthetic adulterants and regional price disparities—continues to fuel both illicit economies and the dangerous illusion that demand can outpace supply indefinitely.

Prevalence and Demographics of Cocaine Use

Approximately 21 million people aged 12 or older worldwide are users of cocaine
Around 1.9 million Americans aged 12 or older reported using cocaine in the past year
Cocaine use disorder is diagnosed in approximately 1.1 million Americans
The prevalence of cocaine use among college students is about 3.8%
Usage of crack cocaine remains higher among African American populations, at about 3.4% compared to 0.4% among whites
The median age of first cocaine use among users in the U.S. is approximately 20 years old
Cocaine use disorder is more prevalent in urban areas compared to rural regions, with urban prevalence rates around 2.8%
Adolescents aged 12-17 account for approximately 7% of new cocaine users yearly
Cocaine constitutes about 0.7% of all admissions to substance abuse treatment facilities in the U.S.
About 3.5 million Americans aged 12 or older have used crack cocaine at least once in their lifetime
The percentage of high school students reporting current cocaine use is around 0.8%
The detection rate of cocaine in wastewater analysis in major metropolitan areas has seen a 20% increase over the past decade, indicating rising use patterns
The global prevalence of cocaine use disorder in adults is estimated at 0.3%, or approximately 23 million people worldwide

Prevalence and Demographics of Cocaine Use Interpretation

With approximately 21 million individuals worldwide and nearly 2 million Americans aged 12 or older caught in the web of cocaine use—starting as early as 20, and with higher prevalence in urban communities and among African Americans—this enduring epidemic reminds us that while the data speaks volumes, behind each statistic lies a human story that demands both seriousness and a call for effective action.