Using cocaine may start as a seemingly harmless experiment, but this substance is a highly addictive drug. A lax attitude towards this drug can quickly turn into signs of cocaine abuse that have potentially life-threatening consequences. Once this happens, innocent experimentation devastates a person’s personal, professional and financial life.
Danger Signs of Cocaine Abuse
Cocaine takes effect quickly after consumption. It only takes a few minutes for a person to get a short-lived high for about 5-30 minutes. This varies depending on how the individual uses cocaine and how quickly it absorbs into his or her bloodstream.
This highly addictive potential makes cocaine a very dangerous drug. Anyone using it risks serious problems with their overall health. Overdose and even organ failure are both very real risks of cocaine abuse. Abusing cocaine constricts blood vessels, which can raise a person’s blood pressure, as well.
Small doses of cocaine produce feelings of happiness and friendliness. It can also decrease the need for sleep. Large amounts become very dangerous, often resulting in violent behavior. Some people can have a heart attack, stroke, or even die.
Other common side effects include:
- Headaches
- Chills
- Confusion
- Sweating
- Seizures
The severity of long-term side effects from cocaine abuse depends on how often and how much a person uses. Eventually, abusing cocaine affects major organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Continued abuse can also cause serious physiological and behavioral side effects. Depression and damage to the nasal cavity from snorting this substance can both occur as well.
4 Signs of Cocaine Abuse Turning into Addiction
Cocaine makes people feel good. It changes how the brain feels pleasure. While individuals who use cocaine may enjoy being high, they have a harder time feeling pleasure when they aren’t using the drug.
This uncontrollable craving begins to affect people in four different ways.
Firstly, if affects their mood by causing irritation, panic, euphoria, and restlessness. Behaviorally, a person may become extremely talkative while they are high.
Second, they may begin acting differently in general. Many people borrow or steal money to buy the drug. They go through extremes. While high, they don’t want to sleep. After using, their need for sleep increases. The control of the drug causes a person to continue using despite facing mounting problems that the drug causes.
Third, you may begin to notice physical changes. Those using cocaine may start having abnormal heart rhythms. They may also suffer from malnutrition because using cocaine causes them to lose their appetite.
Finally, the psychological impact is just as devastating. People lose the ability to make good decisions. They lack motivation and begin to rationalize using the drug.
This isn’t unusual because people eventually build a tolerance to cocaine after regular use. They then need higher doses to continue feeling the same effects.
It’s Possible to Treat Signs of Cocaine Abuse
Despite the grip cocaine abuse has, intervention can get people on the path to recovery. Without effective treatment, though, they risk a relapse.
Denver Recovery provides effective treatment and resources to help individuals get and stay sober. Our programs and services to combat signs of cocaine abuse include:
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient rehab
- Individual counseling
- Family therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cocaine addiction shouldn’t control your life. Our Denver detox programs can help. Call (844) 602-3175 and begin a new path forward to overcoming your addiction.
