Final answer:
Erica exhibits cocaine tolerance, meaning she needs increasing amounts of cocaine to achieve the same effects, indicative of physiological dependence and potential addiction. Cocaine affects the brain's reward pathway, creating a cycle of euphoria followed by cravings, which can also signal a psychological dependence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Erica is exhibiting cocaine tolerance, which occurs when a drug user requires more and more of a given drug to experience the same effects of the drug. This is a sign of physiological dependence and potentially addiction, where the body adapts to the presence of the drug and requires increased amounts to achieve the desired euphoric effects. Tolerance is linked to physiological dependence and can lead someone to consume unsafe amounts of the substance, which can be dangerous and even lethal.
Addiction refers to the compulsive use of a drug despite the negative consequences, while dependence can be both physical and psychological. The latter involves a craving for the drug, often to relieve psychological distress or maintain a sense of normalcy due to the altered physiological state. On the other hand, cocaine withdrawal symptoms may occur when a user stops taking the drug after chronic use.
Cocaine's addictive properties are mainly due to its effect on the brain's reward pathway, leading to high levels of dopamine that stimulate the brain's pleasure centers. However, after the effects wear off, the individual is often left craving more cocaine to replenish the pleasureless state, which is indicative of psychological dependence.