Is it true that cocaine is not addictive as claimed ?

Seems like the guy you met is going through a denial process. I suggest that you arrange a visit at you local rehab center to hear some stories about how addictive is cocaine from first person.

Cocaine is very addictive. Last Friday I got an article that was published in The Lancet (Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse) you can read for example Table 3. and see the rank of cocaine which is very harmful and addictive. You can read more about cocaine in Erowid.

i worked in a rehab clinic and saw many people come off of cocaine.  they had extreme withdrawal symptoms:  shaking, hot and cold sweats, high anxiety...  many people think that it is not physically addictive, vut it is.  when people use cocaine and have that "jonesin" feeling when they're coming down, that is the receptors in the brain and the nerve endings in your body crying out for more... if you are not a heavy user, these symtoms usually subside within a few hours.  however, in people with addictive personalities or in heavy users, it is a recurring feeling...like one is not able to get along iwthout it.  the shakes and sweats come after trying to stop after a binge or prolonged and heavy use.  it is one of hte most addictive drugs and 98% of the people who try to get off of it the first time relapse and have to try to succed in staying off of it a few more times after that initial stint.  unfortunately, the rate of relapse is very high but on the bright side, everyday they are working on new ways to try to help people cope with their  addictions.  i agree with photokim wholeheartedly:  the gentleman you spoke with is in some serious denial.  I wish him the best of luck and hope that he succeds in his recovery when he decides it is his time to stop using.

~La Lina (yes, i'm a drug counselor and a recovering cocaine/heroin addict of 5 yrs. -proud of my progress!)

No, it's not true.  This person you met is either fooling himself or he is one of the extreme few that can do heavy recreational use without the addiction.  The mental addiction happens quick for most and has tremendous addictive potential, in part since its "high" or euphoria typically lasts no more than an hour before the user craves to use it again, leading to periods of bingeing during which the user might stay awake for a few days or more. This is often followed by a "come down", a period of acute dysphoria and depression. This is what often leads to the cocaine addiction.

It doesn't take much longer for the physical addiction.

Information on cocaine addiction

I have known a lot of people who have used cocaine occasionally without becoming habitual users.  The rule is that the more you use at a time, the more you will probably crave it.   As with other drugs (such as alcohol), some people have a greater tendency than others to escalate to a problematic level of use.  The withdrawal symptoms of cocaine are not generally the "flu like" symptoms that are seen with opiates (such as heroin or hydrocodone).  The major symptom of cocaine withdrawal is an extremely intense craving for cocaine along with symptoms of psychological depression.  It should be noted that cocaine used in combination with alcohol is substantially more dangerous than either drug used alone because a more potent drug called cocaethylene is formed from cocaine in the liver when alcohol is present.