Signs of Cocaine Addiction: A Quick Read
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that causes feelings of euphoria for a short period of time in its users. While there are plenty of signs of cocaine addiction, there are no physical withdrawal symptoms from cocaine, it is the feeling of bliss the drug induces that makes its users come back or start using higher dosages. However, the drug is still highly addictive.
Just because there is no physical cocaine withdrawal does not mean that the drug is not dangerously addictive or that its users become any less dependent on it than other illegal substances. Ask any family that has dealt with a cocaine problem and they will tell you how addicting it is and how problematic it is. Our drug rehab centre is a proven solution for overcoming this torment. Cocaine addiction symptoms can take on many forms, from the effects on the users, to behavioural signs that others observe.
Signs of Cocaine Addiction
- Dilated Eyes
- Agitated Behaviour
- Needle marks
- Powder residue around nostrils
- Sudden changes in behaviour
Cocaine Addiction Symptoms
- You regularly take cocaine
- Cocaine use has affected your job or family negatively
- You’re constantly thinking about taking cocaine or when you’ll get your next high
- Feelings of hopelessness or depression when the high wears off– an inability to deal with normal life and events
- Using more of the drug and more often, or in higher dosages
- Difficulty stopping use even when you realize that is effecting your life in negative ways
In addition to these symptoms or signs of cocaine use and addiction, cocaine has dangerous and prolonged effects on the body. It causes stresses to users’ heart, nervous system, has severe and long term mental effects, as well as damaging fetal tissues in women.
Cocaine’s Mental Effects
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Violent Behaviours
- Suicidal or Homicidal Thoughts
Psychosis is so common in heavy abusers that the break from reality and descent into mental illness is actually called a “Cocaine Psychosis.”
One of the most common mental side effects among all cocaine users is heightened paranoia that can lead to violent and aggressive out bursts towards family, friends, and co-workers.According to a paper published by the National Library of Medicine, up to 84% of cocaine users report paranoia, and violent behaviours manifest in up to “…55% of patients with cocaine-induced psychiatric symptoms.”Cocaine’s Physical Effects
- Increased risk of cardiac problems including cardiac arrest and arrhythmias
- Seizures
- Increased risk of contracting HIV and Hepatitis
- Increased risk of acute liver injury
- Risk of sudden renal failure
- Cocaine users are more likely to die suddenly from unknown causes than non-users of comparable age.
- Babies exposed to cocaine in the womb have a higher risk to be stillborn, have cardiac problems, and developmental delays than other children of comparable age.
For example, of the people incarcerated in the United States (our neighbour) as of January 2014, 50% of them are there for drug related offences. 22% of those drug offences included powder cocaine and another 11% were crack cocaine offences.
Cocaine addiction symptoms are detrimental to the individual user mentally and physically and can cause the user to inflict harm on themselves, their family, and the people they come in contact with. Many treatment options are available for cocaine abusers who are looking to stop their cycle of addiction.
Are you reading this for yourself or a loved one? Don't keep it to yourself. This is a great first step you took. Now take the most important next step, and talk to someone.
