Symptoms and Warning Signs of Cocaine Use
Are you concerned that someone you care about is abusing drugs, but you are unsure what drug is being used? If you suspect cocaine abuse by a friend or family member there may be symptoms and warnings you can spot to determine if it is truly cocaine. Cocaine addiction can affect anyone regardless of age, sex, or financial standing. Warning signs of cocaine abuse can vary in severity and duration. These warning signs can manifest themselves both mentally and physically in the short and long term. Here are some of the signs of cocaine abuse use you should watch for.
Physical (Behavioral) Symptoms
The physical symptoms and behavioral symptoms of cocaine abuse depend on many factors. Users of cocaine will often become alert, talkative, excited, overconfident, and may have anxiety. The length of the high depends on the potency and how it was taken. If the user snorts cocaine the high will last longer but be less intense. Cocaine users often do not sleep or eat properly. If a user goes prolonged periods without sleep they may start to experience hallucinations and even a psychotic break. This can also lead to some users becoming hostile or paranoid. The energetic and/or hostile behavior can last for a few hours to multiple days, depending on the rate and length of cocaine consumption. If the warning signs persist and the user is hesitant to commit to treatment, a professional interventionist may be able to help.
Cocaine Paraphernalia
The use and ingestion of cocaine can take many different forms and use many different delivery methods. Users will typically use some sort of flat surfaces such as a mirror or glass, a razor blade or card to divide ‘lines’, and some tube or rolled paper to inhale it. If they smoke it they may use aluminum foil, small burnt spoons, and a glass tube. If crack cocaine is being smoked then you may find a short pipe. If they inject it they will have needles, syringes and needle marks (also known as “tracks”) in different locations over their bodies. The most visible areas will be around the bend of the elbow, but many users will hide their tracks injecting it covered areas like their feet or toes.
Long Term Effects
The long-term effect of cocaine addiction can range from minor to life-threatening and must be taken very seriously. If a cocaine addiction is visible, the individual may be in need of residential treatment or a medically supervised detox. The long term effects can start as depression and move into hallucination or permanent heart damage.
Sometimes, individuals who are addicted to cocaine and are confronted with treatment or rehab may be resistant. Regardless of the consequences and health issues, they are facing they still may resistant to receiving substance abuse rehab. If this is the case, a professional interventionist may be able to help. They will approach your loved one and make the case in an engaging way that they will benefit from cocaine treatment, both physically and mentally.
Short Term Effects
These effects may be short in duration, but that should not detract from their severity. They are just as dangerous as the long term effects of cocaine addiction.
Life-Threatening Dangers of Cocaine Addiction
Regardless of the amount consumed and where it is acquired, the use or abuse of cocaine can cause life-threatening issues. Any cocaine use can lead to respiratory failure, strokes, brain hemorrhages, heart attacks, strokes, and even death. Alongside these life-threatening physical dangers of cocaine addiction, there are also plenty of other dangers that involve a person’s well-being. Cocaine addiction and substance abuse, in general, can cause emotional problems, mental health issues, strained relationships that cause isolation and even financial problems.
Are you ready for cocaine abuse rehab?
If so, our admissions specialist are here to listen and make sure you receive the best available treatment to help beat cocaine addiction. Recovery Ways offers JCAHO accredited, dual-diagnosis, drug abuse treatment. Please contact our admissions coordinators to reserve your space start on the road to recovery.
To start the admission process contact us here or call 888.986.7848.