Understanding the Risks and Dangers of Cocaine Misuse

Are You Concerned About Cocaine Misuse?

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Are you or someone you care about misusing cocaine and worried about addiction? Cocaine addiction can have serious consequences, affecting not only the person but also their loved ones. Here, we’ll explore the risks of cocaine misuse, its side effects, the dangers of mixing it with other drugs, and key signs that it’s time to seek help.

While cocaine addiction can be devastating, understanding the associated risks and dangers can empower you or your loved one to start the journey towards recovery.

What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca plant, which originates from South America. It primarily exists in two forms: powdered cocaine (hydrochloride salt) and crack cocaine (freebase). Powdered cocaine is consumed by snorting the drug, rubbing it onto the gums or dissolving it in water to be injected. In contrast, crack cocaine appears as solid rocks or chunks that are smoked, earning its name from the distinctive crackling sound produced when heated.

Cocaine is an addictive drug that activates reward and reinforcement processes within the brain. Cocaine use boosts dopamine levels, motivating you to use cocaine again to gain its pleasurable effects.¹

Effects of Cocaine Use

Cocaine use can produce feelings of intense happiness (euphoria), increased energy, and heightened alertness. The duration of these effects largely depends on the amount of cocaine used and how it was taken. When smoked, cocaine is absorbed into the bloodstream in seconds, leading to an immediate but short-lived high.’¹

When cocaine is snorted, its euphoric effects may be less intense and take longer to kick in since the drug builds up more gradually in the bloodstream. The high typically lasts longer, usually for around 15-30 minutes.

Injecting cocaine can result in the most intense effects but is particularly risky, not just because of the potential of cocaine overdose, but also because it can lead to blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis.^1,2

Recognising the Signs of Cocaine Misuse

Cocaine addiction, whether to crack or cocaine powder forms, can quickly lead to life-changing consequences. If you suspect that you or a loved one may be struggling with cocaine addiction, recognising the signs of misuse can be a crucial first step in seeking support.

Here are some key signs and symptoms to look out for:

• Taking higher amounts or using cocaine for longer than intended
• Having cravings for cocaine
• Difficulty cutting back or stopping cocaine use
• Investing lots of time in obtaining, using or recovering from cocaine
• Inability to manage usual responsibilities at work, home or school as a result of cocaine use
• Continuing to use cocaine despite relationship issues or health problems
• Withdrawing from important work, social or hobby activities due to cocaine use
• Requiring higher doses of cocaine to achieve the desired effects (tolerance)
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms that are alleviated by taking more cocaine

These signs and symptoms come from the ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition’ (DSM-5), a medical text used by healthcare professionals to diagnose substance use disorders, or addictions. These criteria can be helpful in recognising the signs of cocaine misuse or addiction. According to the DSM-5, if a person has two or more of these signs or symptoms, they are likely to be experiencing a cocaine use disorder.³

How Does Cocaine Misuse Affect the Body?

Cocaine misuse affects everyone differently, depending on individual factors and whether other substances are involved. Short-term effects reflect cocaine’s stimulant nature, which includes dilated pupils, increased heart rate, elevated body temperature and high blood pressure.¹

Prolonged use of cocaine can lead to severe health consequences, including:

• Chest pain, irregular heartbeat and increased risk of heart attack¹
• Smoking crack cocaine can cause respiratory problems and lung damage, leading to breathing difficulties and chest pain^1,4
• Repeated snorting of cocaine can cause damage to the nasal cavity, sinuses and surrounding structures. This can lead to nosebleeds, inflammation and infections and may impact a person’s sense of smell^1,4
• Headaches and increased risk of stroke, seizures and coma¹
• Gastrointestinal issues like abdominal pain and ulcerations¹
• Cognitive decline, including impaired memory, decision-making and attention^1,5

Cocaine misuse and addiction can often lead to noticeable changes in behaviour and personality. A person using cocaine may stay awake for long hours, skip meals and appear hyperactive or restless. In some cases, people can become aggressive or violent after taking cocaine.¹

With long-term use, cocaine can alter someone’s ability to focus on tasks, control impulses and make decisions. These behavioural changes can also be accompanied by psychological symptoms, such as^1,6:

• Mood swings: Extreme shifts from euphoria to depression.
• Paranoia: Irrational suspicion or distrust of others.
• Anxiety and panic attacks: Heightened feelings of nervousness and fear.
• Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.
• Worsening of existing mental health conditions: Cocaine misuse can contribute to the development of mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression, or exacerbate any existing conditions.

How Cocaine Misuse Impacts Others

Cocaine addiction can have devastating effects on close relationships, particularly with partners and children. Cocaine addiction often leads to secrecy, lack of job security, financial strain and prioritising drug use over spending time with loved ones. These behaviours can break trust and create emotional distance, which may cause relationships to become strained. Seeking help for cocaine addiction not only benefits your own health but can also help repair damaged relationships.⁷

Cocaine use during pregnancy is associated with complications and health risks for the mother and her unborn baby. Babies exposed to cocaine during pregnancy often face serious health challenges. They’re more likely to be born prematurely, with lower birth weights and smaller head sizes compared to unexposed babies. These early disadvantages can have lasting effects on their development and may lead to behaviour or learning difficulties. Seeking prompt treatment for cocaine misuse can be a helpful step in mitigating these risks.¹

Dangers of Using Cocaine With Other Drugs

As cocaine is an illicit drug, its production is not strictly regulated. This means that the quality of the drug can vary and its ingredients may be unpredictable for those using it.¹⁷

During production, cocaine is often cut with other substances, like baking soda and local anaesthetic agents, which dilutes its purity. In some cases, opioids like heroin or fentanyl, can be found in cocaine. This means that people taking cocaine may already be taking multiple drugs without being aware of it.

Whilst these additives can pose risks on their own, the danger escalates when cocaine is mixed with other drugs. Using cocaine alongside other substances, especially depressants like alcohol or opioids, can significantly increase the risk of severe health complications ⁸:

• Cocaine and Alcohol: When combined, the body produces a toxic compound called cocaethylene, which intensifies the effects of cocaine. This compound is more powerful than cocaine itself, so poses even greater health risks, including damage to the heart.⁹
• Cocaine and Opioids (“Speedballing”): This combination is particularly dangerous, as the stimulating effects of cocaine can mask the sedative effects of opioids. This increases the risk of a life-threatening opioid overdose as the effects of cocaine tend to wear off first.^1,8

The unpredictability of what cocaine is cut with, along with the added risks of other drug combinations, heightens the potential for overdose, organ damage and fatal outcomes.^1,8

It is important to avoid mixing drugs and seek help if you are experiencing any adverse effects following cocaine use.

• Extreme agitation or panic
• Severe paranoia or hallucinations
• Traumatic injuries
• Difficulty breathing
• Tremors or seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Symptoms of a heart attack (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath and sweating)¹¹
• Symptoms of a stroke (e.g., weakness in the face and/or arm and problems with speech)¹²

Next Steps

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