Cocaine can be consumed in many forms, such as snorting a powdery substance or turning it into crack-cocaine and smoking it. 

It induces feelings of intense euphoria and gives the mind a temporary surge of unyielding energy. Users feel unusually confident and able to put aside their fears and apprehensions. 

This momentary surge of confidence and energy quickly becomes a habit, transforming into an addictive consumption pattern with grave consequences.

COCAINE INDUCES THE FOLLOWING EFFECTS:

• Restlessness
• Heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or touch
• Energetic and confident
• Irritability
• Paranoia

Cocaine is one of the most dangerous and highly addictive substances, and frequent consumption has grave physical and mental health consequences.

The dangers of cocaine use range from sleep disturbances and insomnia to organ failure and brain damage.

Regular cocaine use causes the blood vessels to constrict dangerously, resulting in haywire blood pressure levels and slow blood circulation. 

Snorting the substance runs the risk of damaging the septum or the nasal cavity.

Cocaine makes its users feel elated, confident, more alert, and able to channel their extroverted side to socialize better. It reduces the need to sleep, which triggers a vast host of complications because quality sleep is crucial for the body’s self-repair functions.

Here are the early physical symptoms of regular use:

• The pupils become alarmingly dilated
• High blood pressure levels
• Feverishness
• Faster heart rate
• Signs of erratic behavior
• Loss of appetite and cravings

The body and mind develop a dependence on any illicit substance, be it heroin or cocaine, demanding the user to continue using. Persistence use despite experiencing the symptoms mentioned above can lead to a cocaine use disorder.

The signs of a cocaine use disorder are as follows:

• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Insomnia
• Inability to maintain a healthy hygiene
• Repetitive lying to family and loved ones
• Engaging in risk/deviant behaviors
• Intense bouts of paranoia
• Frequent mood swings
• Being overly secretive
• Lack of interest in hobbies and activities
• Financial and legal challenges

Experts observe that people with cocaine use disorder experience frequent mood swings, fluctuating from manic euphoria to depression and irritability. 

If you notice these signs in your behavior or a loved one’s, it’s crucial to start exploring reputable rehabilitation facilities. 

Cocaine use disorder treatments are quite similar to alcohol abuse treatment programs, involving medically-assisted detoxification and 12-steps of self-change. We’ll discuss the treatments in more detail below.

Medical practitioners strongly advise against quitting a highly addictive substance like cocaine as the body develops a physical and mental dependence on addictive stimulants.

The effects of cocaine addiction are visible in every sphere of the user’s life, from physical and mental well-being to personal and professional lives.

Habitual users might be unable to adequately monitor their hygiene, fulfill domestic and professional obligations, or maintain healthy relationships.

Cocaine addiction is an expensive habit, and users are bound to encounter financial and legal challenges. 

Simply quitting alone for most with a history of regular use because cocaine withdrawal accompanies debilitating symptoms.

The signs of cocaine withdrawal include:

• Uncontrollable cravings for the substance
• Persistent fever
• Irritability
• Depression
• Suicide ideation

The long-term effects of cocaine addiction can lead to brain damage, organ failure, respiratory infections, and complete loss of smell.

Patients with cocaine use disorder experience recurrent nosebleeds, with a higher risk for asthma and infections, including HIV and pneumonia.

Research suggests that long-term cocaine use can damage the heart and heighten heart failure risk factors. 

Clinical studies have linked chronic cocaine use with myocardial damage, hypertension, and other risk factors for heart attacks.

Cocaine use also induces brain damage, making users vulnerable to multiple complications, including depression, suicide ideation, mood disturbances, and dementia.