Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug that can be snorted, smoked, or injected. It causes an intense, short-lived high that triggers a compulsion to keep using the drug. The desire to continue the high can ultimately lead to an overdose.
If you or a loved one is using cocaine, the cocaine detox center at Promises can help. Our knowledgeable and compassionate staff will work with you to create a customized treatment plan that meets your unique needs. Call us today at 844.875.5609 to learn how to live a cocaine-free life.
The Allure of Cocaine
Cocaine is made from the leaves of the coca plant, which is native to South America. For centuries, indigenous people have chewed on the coca leaves for energy and to ward off hunger. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that cocaine was extracted from the coca leaves and used as a medical treatment for various ailments. However, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Cocaine triggers a flood of dopamine in the brain, providing a rush of pleasure or euphoria. The effects are short-lived, typically lasting only about 30 minutes. The urge to experience that feeling again can quickly lead to addiction.
The drug is a potent central nervous system stimulant. In small doses, it can make a person feel more energetic, alert, and happy. But cocaine’s effects are also very dangerous. It creates an intense compulsion to obtain another dose. If you use cocaine habitually, you will find that over time, it takes a higher dose to attain the same effect as time passes. This can cause you to keep increasing the amount you are using, and you may end up using dangerous amounts of this powerful substance, leading to a cocaine overdose.
The Dangers of Cocaine Use
Using cocaine is not safe. It can wreak havoc on both your body and your mind. Cocaine can cause a person to:
- Become anxious, panicked, and paranoid
- Get hostile, aggressive, and even violent
- Have high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat
- Experience chest pain and even heart attacks
- Experience a seizure, stroke, or coma
- Not eat because of the loss of appetite
- Suffer from nasal damage if snorting
- Suffer from lung damage if smoking
Signs of Cocaine Overdose
Cocaine is especially dangerous because it’s easy to overdose on the drug. When too much cocaine enters the body, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. Cocaine overdose can happen if you use a toxic amount of the substance. The amount that is toxic can vary from one person to another, Overdose can occur the very first time you use it, or it can happen after you have been using it for months or years. Signs of cocaine overdose include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Elevated heart rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Shaking
- Nausea
- Severe agitation
- Seizures
The most dangerous impact on your body involves the effect of cocaine on the heart and blood vessels. An irregular heartbeat can lead to a heart attack or stroke, or you may develop nerve damage that can lead to seizures. Frequent use of cocaine increases the risk that you will eventually cause permanent damage to the blood vessels of the brain, heart, or respiratory system, which could lead to sudden death.
Find Help for Your Cocaine Use at Promises
Now that you know what happens to your body when you overdose on cocaine, it’s time to consider getting help. The first step is to reach out to a cocaine detox center like Promises. Our knowledgeable and compassionate staff will work with you to create a customized treatment plan that meets your needs. Call us today at 844.875.5609 to learn how to live a healthy life.