My Lord, that's so correct, but I've never thought about it like that!
I've worked with a lot of cocaine addicts who were dual addicted with alcohol, and I know exactly what that means.
That's what a lot of them say --- I never took it so I don't know first hand --- but they all say the first high was so wonderful, they felt so on top of the world, powerful, popular. They felt everything was fine -- perfect even-- a feeling they wanted to experience one more time. The next dose takes them just under that, the next lower yet. Then in no time -- they're feeling really bad most of the time, and the cocaine just makes them feel a little better than really bad --- but it's a relief just to have that.