What Are the Effects of Cocaine Addiction on the Body?
What Are the Effects of Cocaine Addiction on the Body?
The effects of cocaine addiction are not necessarily the same on every person. Cocaine addiction affects people of all vocations, social standing, race, gender, and age. Customarily topping the list of illicit drugs, cocaine is a frequently abused and vastly addictive substance. In the United States alone, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) approximates that in 2013 there were 1.5 million cocaine users aged 12 and older in the month prior to the survey (that’s 0.6 percent of the population). From this population of current cocaine users, 359,000 were current crack users.
Notably, users usually snort cocaine in powder form. However, users can also transform the substance into a liquid and inject it into their veins. Other times, the substance can turn into a rock (crack) to smoke. Immediately after using the drug, cocaine users normally experience a sense of elation. This blissful or euphoric sensation makes users want to do the drug repeatedly, leading to addiction and abuse. Signs and symptoms of cocaine misuse or addiction differ based on the method of ingestion.
Recognizing the Effects of Cocaine Addiction
Perhaps the most flagrant indications of cocaine abuse are a deep urge or amplified need for the drug. Many users will think about the drug unrelentingly. They will go to extreme lengths to obtain the drug, and even then, no amounts of regular ingestion of the drug will seem to satisfy their cravings. This is the most dangerous of the effects of cocaine addiction.
Other effects of cocaine addiction occur when the drug starts to have a damaging influence on the user’s life. Use of the drug can begin to interfere with the user’s job and may even lead to unemployment as the user begins to manifest erratic or unreliable conduct, such as constant lateness, inattentiveness, heightened moodiness, and waning productivity. This also refers to other settings such as school and home. Other effects of cocaine addiction are problems maintaining or building good relationships.
Signs of Snorting Cocaine
Among the various ingestion methods, cocaine snorting is most prevalent.
- Loss of sensitivity to smells
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Chronically runny nose and constant sniffling
- Sore throats
- Difficulty swallowing
Other Effects of Cocaine Addiction on the Body
Although people of all ages live with the effects of cocaine addiction, a 2008 study found that adults 18 to 25 years old have a greater rate of present cocaine use than any other age group. The study also revealed that overall, men reported higher instances of cocaine use than did women. The impact on the body can also differ from person to person. Some users may manifest a host of symptoms, while others may exhibit only a few symptoms.
Generally, the frequency with which you abuse cocaine, your physical health, and the concentration or potency of the drug all contribute to how your body will respond to it.
- Dilated pupils
- Increased body temperature
- Headaches
- Psychiatric issues
- Severe paranoia
- Tightening of blood vessels
- Raised heart rate
- Malnourishment
- Elevated heart rate
Cocaine users also tend to become lethargic after long cocaine binges. After using cocaine for an extended period, many users will sleep excessively for days. Cocaine addiction can occur even if usage is inconsistent. In certain cases, critical health problems such as stroke, seizure, heart attack, and even sudden death can also happen after ingesting cocaine. These grave issues can occur even if you are using the drug for the first time.
Primary Benefits of Using an Inpatient Facility
- Patients enjoy the benefits of 24-hour care. This supervision is instrumental during the detoxification process and can deter patients from forsaking their treatment prematurely or impulsively.
- Inpatient addiction treatment programs also have the benefit of removing people and places that serve as triggers or enablers to the drug addiction. By eliminating such distractions, the facility enables patients to concentrate solely on recovery.
- The availability of medical care on the facility grounds is also a key advantage for patients who opt for inpatient facilities. Medical staff can respond promptly and resourcefully to any of the common medical issues or difficulties that arise from the detoxification process.
If you are using drugs or suspect that a friend or family member is using a drug, treatment is available to help you or your loved one get healthy and in control. Contact an inpatient recovery facility today.
