Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction: Be Aware, Be Warned
Cocaine and Meth come under the class of drugs called stimulants. Both these are schedule II drugs meaning they carry a grave risk of addiction and dependency.
As a Central Nervous System Stimulant, cocaine is used primarily for recreational reasons. Like Meth, it results in a flood of dopamines. The user experiences intense feelings, and heightened sexual arousal, but loses touch with reality.
Statistics: Opioids and cocaine are a deadly combination
The number of people using cocaine in America is staggeringly high. In 2019, there were 2 million Americans belonging to different ethnicities, races, and age groups who said that they had used cocaine in the past month. 5.5 million said that they had used cocaine in the past year. This makes cocaine addiction a major health problem in America. The ones who are most at risk are the young adults aged 18 to 25 years as per a NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) report.
It is also increasingly being seen that the drug is used in combination with other psychoactive drugs. In fact, Cocaine is that psychoactive substance that is readily partnered with others – depressants, opioids like heroin and fentanyl, benzos, and party drugs like ecstasy and meth.
While cocaine and opioids are deadly alone, when these are combined the impact is more fatal. And that more people are consuming the two together in the span of a decade is evident from a CDC report that states that the rate of drug casualties (overdosing) from cocaine and opioids increased more drastically (2011- 2021) than the rate of overdose deaths involving cocaine without opioids.
Cause and risk factors:
As countries like Switzerland consider legalizing cocaine for recreational use, let us delve into the causes and risk factors.
While it is easy to spot the cocaine symptoms or the signs of a cocaine addict, it is necessary to understand the causes and risk factors that result in someone turning into an addict.
As with other drugs, the cause of cocaine addiction is not hard to figure out – as it is the environment, genetics, psychological makeup, and genetics that are responsible. For example, if there is too much pressure on the child to succeed, then as an act of rebellion or to release the pressure of high hopes, the child might start doing cocaine.
Though Adolescents are less likely to use cocaine compared to the kids in the 1990s; however, irrespective of race or ethnic identity there has been an increase in overall cocaine use in the last couple of years. Therefore it is important to be aware and be warned. Once you are certain of the signs of cocaine addiction in someone you love, you must check out the nearest residential center (despite the protests) before it is too late.
The next section profiles the symptoms of cocaine use.
Signs of a cocaine addict:
You would know that a person is on cocaine because the physical symptoms are so apparent. They appear unnaturally excited or agitated. They are more energized than usual. Also, if you check their heart rate it would be faster than normal. There would also be increased perspiration and dilated pupils. High BP and temperature result when higher dosages of the drug are consumed. When cocaine is consumed with other psychoactive substances like ecstasy and meth, heroin, and benzos, its potential to cause harm is increased manifold. However, not many people abusing the drug are aware of this and they end up unintentionally using the drug as a bridge between other varieties of substances.
Effect of cocaine addiction: Loss of purpose, dependency, overdosing, and death
The “high” cocaine causes are momentary, but the damage it results in the brain is ever-lasting. It impacts other organs and causes cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and sexual problems.
As the user could be snorting, smoking, or injecting the drug, they are at a heightened risk of developing permanent lung damage, perforation of nasal cavities, ulcers and perforation in the stomach, contracting HIV/AIDs and hepatitis, and developing skin infections all of which would require consistent care.
Once dependency develops, overdosing and heightened risks of heart attacks, strokes, and seizures are common. Addiction makes it difficult to focus on studies, relationships, or holding on to the job. As life goes for a toss, there is depression and anxiety, and addiction takes a tenacious hold. However, one can break free, by making the right decision and deciding to abstain completely. There have been many success stories of abstinence, but the first step is always checking out the residential center.
Identifying comorbid conditions: Crucial for complete recovery
Substance abuse, gambling, PTSD, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety are the most likely disorders existing with cocaine addiction, which heightens the risk. Therefore once one has identified the signs of cocaine addiction, it is just as necessary to identify comorbid disorders and therefore, one must check out at the nearest residential center at the earliest.
Withdrawal and overdosing: Knowing the risks
Overdosing is one of the common risks associated with cocaine abuse. The signs of cocaine abuse could range from nausea, and vomiting, to seizures, heart attack, and stroke.
When it comes to recovery from cocaine abuse, one must check out at a center without fail. Going cold turkey is never advisable because you might face painful withdrawal that only heightens the risk of relapse and overdose.
While you might experience all the withdrawal pangs at a center – the anxiety, agitation, intense cravings, dry mouth, increased heartbeat, vomiting, and nausea, the skilled medical staff will have better experience handling the physical and psychological impact of withdrawal with supervised detoxification, medication, therapy and other support measures in a compassionate, safe, and comfortable environment. Whether it is you or someone or a close family member, reach out to thereahabsupport.com at the earliest or call us at 949.325.7994
