Coke, nose candy, blow, flake, gold dust – these are just some of the notorious ‘street names’ for cocaine. But no matter how much they try to hide it in different ‘nicknames’, there’s no way to mask cocaine’s life-threatening effects. And without detecting early signs of cocaine use, a person can spiral into an endless cycle of addiction and a slew of health conditions.
For this post, we discussed a brief guide about what makes cocaine addictive, cocaine use symptoms, and what you can do if you suspect that a loved one is abusing this substance. Keep reading to see how dangerous cocaine is and why it’s high time to seek addiction help for you or your loved one.
What is cocaine, and why is it so addictive?
Cocaine is a stimulant drug derived from the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca). It’s a Schedule II drug under the US Controlled Substances Act. This means that cocaine has a high abuse potential but still has legal medical use under strict regulation.
Medically, small amounts of cocaine are used as part of cocaine hydrochloride solution, which is a topical local anesthetic. However, it’s a high risk for abuse since it can trigger the release of dopamine, the brain’s ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter.
Unlike other abused substances, cocaine can be either smoked, injected, or, most popularly, snorted. Some would rub it into their gums for fast absorption, which will lead to more irreversible consequences later on.
So, what makes cocaine such an addictive substance? When taken illicitly, cocaine can give an intense and quick ‘high’ to a person.
Due to this, users get drawn to the substance even more, creating a cycle of abuse and, eventually, addiction. When this happens, it’s best to seek professional cocaine addiction treatment right away to prevent the life-threatening consequences of this condition.
Risk factors for cocaine addiction
You should know that cocaine addiction doesn’t happen overnight. There are many factors at play, and some happen to be more likely to develop cocaine addiction than others. The following increases someone’s likelihood of cocaine addiction when exposed to the substance:
1. Underlying mental health conditions
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), about 37.9% of American adults with substance use disorders (SUD) also have co-occurring mental health illnesses. This means that those struggling with mental health conditions are more likely to abuse or misuse substances like cocaine as an unhealthy coping mechanism.
This is exactly why dual diagnosis is a crucial part of holistic drug rehab. Through this approach, both the SUD and mental health disorders will be treated hand in hand for long-term recovery.
2. Environmental factors
A huge aspect we also look into when assessing our clients is their environment and living situation when the substance use disorder develops.
For example, those who had a traumatic childhood or any traumatic experience in general are more likely to spiral into addiction. At our addiction treatment center, we’ve also seen cases of peer pressure, exposure to cocaine due to family members, and socioeconomic factors.
3. Genetics and biological factors
Those with a family history of cocaine addiction are more predisposed to substance use disorder. Still, this doesn’t mean it’s fated for you to become a cocaine user. But if other factors here combine with the biological aspect, it will increase the likelihood of you to spiral into addiction.
Signs of cocaine use
Whatever the risk factors involved, identifying the symptoms of cocaine use will make a world of difference in saving someone from the substance’s dangers. So, if you suspect that someone you know is abusing cocaine, you should watch out for the following signs:
Physical cocaine symptoms
- Formication. This is one of the neurological cocaine signs where the person feels like there are “insects” crawling under their skin. This can lead to dangerous actions, such as self-injury.
- Unexplained weight loss. It’s found that cocaine reduces your body’s fat storage abilities. Also, it triggers changes in eating habits, which can cause drastic weight loss even when the person isn’t trying.
- Dilated pupils. Also known as ‘cocaine eyes’, one of the tell-tale cocaine use signs is bloodshot eyes with enlarged pupils. This substance is a stimulant and can make the pupils dilate in just a few minutes upon ingestion.
- Runny nose all the time. One of the signs of coke use through snorting is a runny nose that never seems to go away, recurring nosebleeds, loss of smell, and irritated sinuses. Over time, this will develop into a full-fledged respiratory issue.
- Constant oral health problems. When smoked or rubbed on the gums, one of the signs of cocaine abuse is having a slew of dental issues. It’s because cocaine erodes the teeth and gums, which will cause the teeth to fall out and all sorts of nasty oral health problems.
- Powdery traces around the face. Traces of white powder around the nose or mouth are giveaway cocaine abuse symptoms. This is a sign that a person is snorting cocaine and possibly on the verge of various respiratory issues.
- Burns marks around the hand or lips. Those who use crack cocaine, a more potent derivative of cocaine, often get accidental burns on their lips and hands.
Behavioral signs of a cocaine user
- Eating habit changes. Cocaine has an appetite-suppressing effect on those who use it, making sudden eating habits one of the potential coke symptoms. In fact, some would spiral into cocaine addiction as an attempt to use the substance for weight loss and controlling eating habits.
- Unusual mood changes. As cocaine impacts the brain’s production of dopamine, it can also alter a person’s mood. Some of these cocaine addiction symptoms include increased irritability, paranoia, anxiety, and even aggression.
- Noticeable changes to social activities. Those who use cocaine may also start to avoid social interactions with family, friends, and other people they usually spend time with. They may also have reduced interest in their hobbies, not to mention that you’ll notice risky behaviors such as reckless driving, unprotected sex, or petty crimes.
- Changes to sleep patterns. One of the cocaine use signs you should also watch out for is insomnia since the substance is a stimulant. Others may have sleep disturbances due to the anxiety the drug brings, which only makes their behavior worse.
- Sudden talkativeness or confidence. If someone who is reserved and quiet suddenly starts getting too talkative and loud, it might be one of the early symptoms of cocaine addiction. Due to the rush in dopamine, a person may have less inhibition in doing something they used to fear before.
The serious dangers of being a cocaine user
Spotting early signs of cocaine addiction is crucial in avoiding the serious health dangers it could bring later on. Without immediate intervention, cocaine users may start to develop these problems:
- Transmissible infections. One of the biggest dangers of injecting cocaine is the high risk of acquiring diseases. Some of these include the dreaded HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and so on. Some of these are uncurable and can have deadly consequences.
- Cardiovascular damage. Cocaine is a vasoconstrictor, which means it makes the blood vessels smaller. When abused, cocaine can make your blood vessels become dangerously small until it triggers stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems.
- Respiratory issues. If you suspect that someone has symptoms of coke-snorting, you should warn them of the potential respiratory problems it could bring. It could lead to severe infections, nasal cavity destruction, or the life-threatening ‘crack lung’.
- Irreversible dental problems. When smoked or rubbed on the gums, cocaine can cause your teeth to fall and mouth ulcers to form. Worse, these dental issues can also branch out to cardiovascular problems when infections get through the bloodstream.
- Organ damage. Over time, the signs of cocaine will develop into toxic effects that will damage the kidney and ultimately lead to organ failure.
- Worsened mental health condition. If the signs someone is on cocaine aren’t detected, the person will continue to spiral into a worse case of mental health disorder. This will only make the cocaine addiction even harder to treat, and the person will be at a major risk of health problems.
What to do when a loved one shows signs of cocaine usage
If you’re noticing signs of a cocaine addiction in your loved one, it’s important to provide them with immediate intervention. At LA Wellness Home, here’s what we recommend:
- Contact a specialist. Take note that cocaine addiction is a complex issue, and the affected person isn’t always open to get help. In this case, you should consider contacting a Los Angeles rehab center to provide guidance on how you can approach your loved one who’s dealing with substance abuse.
- Talk to them about your concerns. Knowing the symptoms of someone on coke and talking to a specialist are just the first steps. The biggest part is reaching out to your loved one and having a difficult conversation. Always be sincere and understanding – most importantly, never blame or judge the person.
- Encourage them to get help. You can also start discussing treatment options with your loved one so they can start quitting cocaine. For example, you can encourage them to enroll in an inpatient rehab center, consider a medical detox, or simply talk to a specialist as a start.
Cocaine addiction is not a life sentence. LA Wellness Home is here to help.
Cocaine abuse can feel like a never-ending cycle, either for you or your loved one. But whether you feel like you’ve reached rock bottom, you should know that help and recovery is always possible.
Here at LA Wellness Home, you’ll have a safe space to recover and take control of your life to defeat cocaine addiction. We are a team of licensed medical doctors, therapists, counselors, nurses, mental health specialists, and more who will be your support system throughout the treatment.
With us, you’ll receive a personalized substance use treatment that matches your needs. Just take note that the duration of your cocaine detox treatment is as unique as you are.
Whether you’re seeking treatment or looking for answers, feel free to contact our inpatient rehab in Los Angeles. We have a 24/7 helpline where you can get help for yourself or your loved one. With us, a sober life starts with just one call.
