Cocaine side effects:
Cocaine abuse and psychosis
Cocaine users are known to be at increased risk of developing psychosis. More than half of cocaine users reported experiencing at least one of the symptoms of cocaine psychosis after taking the drug. Cocaine-related psychosis is often significantly more persistent than that caused by other drugs. It can last weeks or even months after the last dose of cocaine. As a general rule, the longer a person takes a drug, and the higher its dose, the more likely he is to develop some form of psychosis, and the higher the likelihood and persistence of psychosis.
Some symptoms of cocaine psychosis include:
- lack of emotional response
deep lethargy
Incoherent thought and behavior
disorganized speech
Wrong and sometimes violent behavior
Visual and auditory hallucinations
delirium
illusions
Paranoia
worry
Thoughts of suicide or murder
Treatment of cocaine-induced psychosis is usually characterized by supportive care during the phases: maintaining acceptable levels of body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, hydration, and keeping the affected individual as calm as possible, possibly with the use of sedatives. Antipsychotic medications have been shown to be helpful during the early stages of treatment. However, abstaining from all medications and all substances of abuse during the subsequent treatment phase is the preferred approach. Get discreet help now.
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Disorders associated with cocaine use (damages of cocaine)
When a substance use disorder such as cocaine addiction coincides with another mental health disorder, this phenomenon is known as a double diagnosis. Dual diagnosis is relatively common in cases of cocaine addiction, where cocaine abuse can result from and cause mental health problems. People with poor mental health may turn to cocaine as a means of escape from reality or self-treatment, while cocaine abuse can in turn lead to various mental health problems, both as a result of the drug’s effect on the brain and due to the deteriorating life conditions that normally follow the addiction.
Treating a dual diagnosis is usually much more complex than treating either condition independently, as patients with mental health disorders may struggle to engage in treatment or remain in treatment altogether, and some medications that might otherwise be prescribed may interact dangerously with substances narcotic; . As a result, addicts with a dual diagnosis typically require specialized care, often in dedicated facilities.
Short-term side effects of cocaine use
Besides the desired high, cocaine abuse may produce several short-term side effects, including:
Increased heart rate
Also increased blood pressure
Increased body temperature
vasoconstriction
nausea
Anorexia
excessive
aggression
Volatile and potentially violent behavior
hallucinations
very anxious
Paranoia
psychosis
An overdose may result in death
Long-term side effects of cocaine use
In the long term, cocaine abuse can have a number of unwanted side effects, including:
addicted
permanent neurological damage
blood vessel damage
Organ damage including the liver, lungs, and kidneys
hallucinations
Nose damage from snoring
Abscesses and diseases from intravenous injection
respiratory failure
Tooth decay and gum disease
psychosis
Profound mood disorders including depression
confusion
impotence
infertility
Effects of cocaine on the nervous system
Taking cocaine increases the amount of dopamine (and other chemicals) that is released at the synapses between nerve cells in the brain, creating pleasurable sensations that are transmitted throughout the body by the central nervous system (CNS). It also inhibits the enzyme that reabsorbs dopamine, causing dopamine to build up in very large amounts, resulting in the euphoric “peak” and persistent positive sensations associated with cocaine use.
In the long term, cocaine can damage the receptors it affects, making dopamine less effective and thus affecting the user’s ability to experience pleasure. This in turn leads to depression and anhedonia that can have a very detrimental effect on the life of a cocaine user even long after the drug has been discontinued.
The effects of cocaine on people’s lives
Cocaine abuse can have disastrous effects on the user’s life. Cocaine use poses short- and long-term risks to physical and mental health, including the risk of death from overdose and permanent neurological damage from prolonged use. Because of the illegal cocaine situation, involvement in the drug can lead to a permanent criminal record, and possibly imprisonment. The presence of the effects of the drug in the body can lead to loss of function and exclusion from certain occupations and activities, including professional sports, with permanent repercussions on the user’s professional life.
The stigma associated with drug use means that being a known cocaine user can have severe reputational consequences. It can also lead to the breakdown of relationships and problems with custody and/or visitation rights in cases of family break-up.
Addiction to cocaine can lead to huge debts and even financial destitution, with some users spending hundreds of pounds a day on the drug. Substance abuse is a major factor in homelessness across the UK. Addiction can also have lifelong repercussions on life circumstances and prospects, as well as on physical and mental health, self-esteem and worldview.
Withdrawal symptoms from cocaine addiction
Individuals who become addicted to cocaine typically experience withdrawal when they stop using. Some of the initial symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include:
Cravings
fatigue
weakness
Insomnia
Concentration problems
Increased appetite and weight gain
worry
anhedonia
exhaustion
Insomnia
nightmares
Mood Swings
depression
suicidal ideation
Cocaine treatment options
One corollary of the prevalence of drug abuse and addiction, including cocaine addiction, across the UK is the emergence of many high quality treatment facilities operating across the country. Various options, both public and private, now exist for the treatment of cocaine addiction.
Medicines that may aid your efforts to recover from cocaine addiction
At present, there is no pharmaceutical “cure” for cocaine addiction. However, some medications may be prescribed to aid cocaine withdrawal and return to normal life after prolonged cocaine use. For example, gabapentin can be used to increase levels of the neurotransmitter GABA, which has a calming effect and can reduce the effect of anxiety, while modafinil can help stabilize dopamine levels and return to normal sleep patterns. Meanwhile, many antipsychotics can be prescribed for psychosis, while antidepressants can treat depression that appears during and after cocaine withdrawal. Get discreet help now.
Call our 24-hour admissions line for assistance. 00201029275503
Use of medicines in treatment facilities
Those who choose a credible, CQC-controlled facility for cocaine treatment will receive a comprehensive treatment plan after evaluation, which may include the use of medications. This medicine will be prescribed by experienced doctors at times and in doses appropriate to each individual case. Medical professionals will be on hand to provide complementary medicines if needed.
Self-medication is extremely dangerous in any addiction, especially cocaine addiction, and at no time should you use any medication – in particular, drugs bought online – that has not been prescribed by a doctor.
cocaine addiction treatment
If you have made the decision to enroll in rehab for cocaine addiction, the first step will be a complete physical and psychological evaluation, after which you will be provided with an addiction treatment plan, possibly followed by an immediate prescription to address any medication. Initial symptoms of withdrawal. The next stage will be the detox, which will be monitored and managed by trained professionals, during which withdrawal is likely to appear. Some symptoms can be relieved, at least in part, by medication. Residential rehabilitation stays usually last 30 to 90 days. After detoxing.
You’ll go into treatment to uncover and treat the psychological causes of addiction and address the behavioral problems that led to your current condition. During this period, you will adhere to your addiction treatment plan, which will also include fitness schedules, a detailed diet and possibly a range of other items that vary by facility. At the conclusion of your treatment program, you will leave the facility equipped with various psychological defense mechanisms against relapse and new tools for dealing with life after Take drugs. High-quality rehabilitation will provide free care for up to a year to help you readjust to the wider world, and to improve your chances of avoiding relapse.
cocaine use stats
- In 2017/2018, around 875,000 people in England and Wales alone used powdered cocaine, according to Home Office statistics.
Crack cocaine is used by between 0.1% and 0.2% of the UK population.
More than 6% of people between the ages of 16 and 24 use cocaine each year.
Cocaine abuse is more common in families who win.
At least 4.2% of students have used cocaine in the past 12 months.
Are you ready to get help?
If you suffer from cocaine addiction, your condition can seriously harm your mental and physical health. In the long run, cocaine use can have serious consequences for your physical and mental health. However, if you are ready to get help, that help is available: Talk to your doctor and/or addiction specialist about coping with your condition.
Get help today
Every day that passes, when you work under the burden of addiction is another lost day and another day full of dangers. Don’t waste any more time: Pick up the phone today to your GP and/or addiction specialist and take steps that can change your life and even save your life.
Take control of your life – start on the road to recovery
Understandably, you may feel like your addiction has taken over your life – but you can take back that control with the help of a professional Get started on treatment today, and embark on a journey of recovery that will lead you back to a healthy, happy and successful life.
Related FAQ
- Is there a safe dose of cocaine?Even a small amount of cocaine can cause serious allergic reactions and other adverse health consequences. Possession of any amount is illegal. Cocaine is not a safe drug and should not be considered one.
Does addiction develop the same way in everyone?
No: Everyone experiences substance abuse and addiction differently, although the psychological and neurological mechanisms of driving may be similar.
Are there health effects from exposure to second-hand smoke of cocaine?
Although various experiments have failed to show any demonstrable health consequences of exposure to second-hand smoke of cocaine, some surveys have shown that it may result in positive cocaine test results for exposed individuals. This may have very serious consequences for work and life prospects in general. If you are in any way concerned that your life could be affected by a positive drug test, it is essential that you stay away from anyone who smokes cocaine in any form.
Why is it so hard to get rid of cocaine addiction?
Cocaine is highly psychologically addictive and can result in an extremely intense and long-lasting desire to re-experience its effects. Many people are unable to resist the temptation to abuse cocaine that these cravings and desires represent. Moreover, in some professions and circles, cocaine use is very widespread and it is very difficult to avoid exposure to cocaine, which greatly increases the likelihood of relapse in individual users.
Are there different forms of cocaine?
Cocaine most commonly comes as a white powder. However, in rare cases, it can also be found in the form of a solution for injection. Cocaine can also be converted into smokeable crack cocaine, which is found in small white or white “rocks”.