Contrary to popular belief, addiction doesn’t stem from dangerous substances. Addiction develops when drugs such as cocaine are used as a coping mechanism for unresolved issues such as trauma or grief. The main complication of cocaine addiction is overdose, which results in cocaine toxicity. While cocaine can adversely affect every organ in the body, its most dangerous and life-threatening effects are on thecardiovascular system.

It’s essential to be aware of these signs, symptoms, and health effects of cocaine use to break the habit and get treatment if needed. The effects of cocaine are immediate and include feelings of euphoria, increased alertness and talkativeness. The positive effects are short-lived and can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the dose and the tolerance of the user. This can quickly lead to cocaine addiction as users feel encouraged to repeatedly take cocaine to maintain the euphoric effects. Repeated use of cocaine can easily lead to a cocaine addiction. A person who is addicted to the drug will usually exhibit signs and symptoms of cocaine use.

Cocaine can also make the user feel anxious and create feelings of paranoia. Enter your phone number below to receive a free and confidential call from a treatment provider. The severity of the disorder can be classified as “mild” if two to three criteria are met, “moderate” if four to five are met, and “severe” if six or more are met.

Timing is very important when addressing a loved 5 rules of recovery one’s cocaine addiction. Attempting to help someone who is intoxicated or agitated can often result in negative situations. Always have a plan for when an emergency situation arises; and understand that calling 911 may be necessary. An addiction to cocaine can be hard for many people to distinguish. Knowing the symptoms can help you determine if someone needs help.

However, finding treatment, whether it be rehab, therapy, or a 12-step program, can increase the chances of successfully quitting. These treatments help people cope with withdrawal, cravings, and reestablishing a drug-free life. The signs of cocaine addiction extend beyond the physical symptoms and also involve emotional and behavioral changes. As an individual develops tolerance to cocaine, they also become physically dependent on it. If the drug is discontinued, withdrawal symptoms, with physical effects, can occur. A strong craving for cocaine is the most prominent effect of withdrawal, but other symptoms usually occur as well.

Learn about cocaine and substance abuse

Usually, this happens because cocaine and other drugs affect the chemicals that are made in the brain. maverick house east boston A person who has ingested a toxic amount of cocaine may also act combative or hostile. Hallucinations are common, and some people will describe a sensation that bugs are crawling on them.

Withdrawal From Cocaine, Treatment, And Next Steps

Another reason cocaine can lead to substance use disorder is that each time you use it, your body builds a tolerance. That means you have to use more and more of the drug to get high. These potential cocaine symptoms can also be signs of other conditions or illnesses, so it’s important not to jump to conclusions before addressing your concerns. If in doubt, speak to addiction or medical professionals as they will be able to give you further guidance.

When snorted, smoked, or injected, cocaine induces intense feelings of euphoria. Over time, however, the body alters its own natural patterns in terms of production and reuptake of the neurotransmitters. Tolerance to the drug develops and more and more cocaine is needed to achieve the desired effect. Not everyone who uses substances with the potential to be addictive develops an addiction. But typically, the more a person uses a drug, the more their brain adapts to it and begins to have difficulty functioning without it. Cocaine acts in the deep areas of the brain that reward us for “good behavior” – such as activities that lead to food, sex, and healthy pleasure.

Signs of Cocaine Overdose

LGBTQ adults are also more than twice as likely to have a substance use disorder. When you are ready to seek help, please call our friendly admissions team so you can take the first step in overcoming cocaine addiction and taking control of your life. If you develop cocaine addiction, you can end up spending large amounts of money on the drug, leading to debt and financial problems.

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If you believe someone has overdosed on cocaine or another substance, take them to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately. Many people start to build a tolerance after their first use of cocaine. Your chances of getting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, are higher if you use cocaine. Some research has suggested that cocaine damages the way immune cells work in your body, which could make HIV worse. When injected, it goes directly into your bloodstream for a very strong and near-instant effect.

1. According to recent data, about 4.8 million Americans over the age of 12 use cocaine each year, and about half a million Americans over 12 have an addiction to cocaine.
2. An unmistakable behavioral sign of cocaine addiction is the increased frequency of use.
3. Cocaine has extremely negative effects on the heart, brain, and emotional wellbeing of users.
4. Understanding the signs, symptoms, causes and effects of cocaine addiction is an important first step toward healing and recovery.
5. Skin complexion may appear pale or gray due to reduced blood flow.

Outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, medications, therapy, or a combination of different treatment programs can help you recover from addiction. NIDA also notes that a cocaine overdose can be intentional or unintentional, and can occur even on the first fun substance abuse group activities for adults occasion of use, or at any time thereafter. An unmistakable behavioral sign of cocaine addiction is the increased frequency of use. Individuals might be unable to control or limit their intake, resulting in frequent, sometimes constant, consumption of the substance.

But it carries many risks, including overdose and serious physical and mental side effects as well as addiction. If you or someone you know has problems with cocaine use, seek help from a doctor or mental health professional. This article lists the physical, behavioral, and psychological signs of cocaine use and the symptoms of cocaine intoxication.

To make cocaine, the leaves are chemically processed and treated to form a powder. A German chemist named Albert Neiman first isolated the drug from coca leaves in 1860. In the early 1900s, cocaine was a common ingredient in herbal remedies for all sorts of illnesses. Surgeons used it to block pain before local anesthetic were available.