Cocaine addiction has a lot of physical and mental effects on the user and has a lot of signs and symptoms. Cocaine is a very powerfully addictive central nervous system stimulant with various street names such as blow, flake, snow, & coke. It can be snorted, injected, or smoked making the user feel euphoric & energetic, but also increasing heart rate, blood pressure, & body temperature. User’s are at risk for heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, seizures, abdominal pain, and nausea.
The effects of cocaine on a user are immediate, extremely pleasurable, and brief. It causes an intense but short-lived euphoria. It has some of the same effects as caffeine by increasing wakefulness and reducing hunger. There are many signs of a cocaine addiction including, but not limited to:
- frequent sniffling, runny nose, bloody nose
- increased blood pressure
- dilated pupils, bloodshot eyes
- elevated temperature
- weight loss
- changes in sleep patterns
- hyperactivity
- tremors
- changes in groups of friends
- depression, withdrawn, tired feeling
- poor hygiene
- loss of interest in school, family, work, social activities
- unexplained financial problems
- suicidal thoughts
- erratic behavior
- paranoia
When usage stops or a binge ends, the effects are immediate resulting in a sudden depression (crash) and usually results in a craving for more causing agitation, fatigue, and irritability. If you or someone you know suffers from cocaine addiction, please seek help. We are more than happy to help anyone with an addiction and help the loved one’s cope with the addiction as well.