Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Use
Do you think you see signs of drug use but you are not sure what drug is being used or how bad it is? If you suspect cocaine abuse by someone you care about, here are the signs of cocaine use you should watch for.
If a person is abusing powdered cocaine and they don’t want you to know, they may disappear to use the drug and then return in a very different mood. They may seem excited and act more confident and exhibit a greater sense of well-being. They may be more excited sexually and talkative. Their energy will be pumped up and they probably will not have very much appetite for food and will not have a normal sleep pattern.
Traces of white powder around a person’s nose are also a sign of cocaine use. While many people snort the drug (thus leaving the powder), some will dissolve and inject it. A few will ingest it, which can lead to severe intestinal damage.
Dilated pupils and eyes that are overly sensitive to light are symptoms of cocaine use that you can watch for. Other symptoms of cocaine use include runny noses and after long use, nosebleeds and damage to the inside of the nose. A cocaine user may also dissolve and inject the drug, in which case you might find needle marks on arms, legs, hands, feet or neck and discarded syringes left around the place cocaine is consumed.
As powder cocaine’s effects only last an hour or less, the user may leave periodically so he or she can use more of the drug.
Signs of Cocaine Use
Appearance:
Dilated pupils
Runny nose (snorting)
Nosebleeds (snorting)
Track marks (injecting)
Burned lips or fingers (smoking)
Heart:
Fast heart rate
Constricted blood vessels
Enlarged Heart
Heart attacks
Cardiac arrest
Mental state:
Euphoria
Overconfidence
Unusual excitement
Aggressiveness
Paranoia
Poor judgment
Delusions
Hallucinations
After long use or a binge:
Depression
Agitation
Intense cravings
Need for higher doses
Apathy
Exhaustion
Long periods of sleep
Crack Cocaine Causes Many of Same Signs and Symptoms
Crack cocaine is smoked. You may find small glass pipes and tiny plastic bags left behind after a person smokes crack. A crack high is similar to a powder cocaine high but it does not last as long. A crack user may go off to use more of the drug after just 10 or 15 minutes. A crack user may have burns on lips and fingers as a sign of cocaine use, because of burns from the crack pipes.
When high doses are used or the drug is used in binges, symptoms of cocaine use often include disorientation, delusions, paranoia, antisocial behavior and aggressiveness. A person who has become addicted will be driven to use more of the drug and this will become his or her priority in life over family, career, work or health.
Long-Term Signs of Cocaine Use
When a person has been using cocaine over a long time period, they are likely to suffer physical and mental deterioration. Symptoms of long-term cocaine abuse can include depression, agitation, nervousness, tiredness but unable to sleep. The person may feel seriously distressed about life without good reason. They will have strong cravings for the drug. When use has continued for a long time, tolerance for the drug increases and more of the drug is required to create an effect similar to earlier use.
If they try to discontinue use, they will experience intense cravings for the drug. They may experience a “crash” consisting of depressed moods, anxiety, irritability, apathy and long periods of sleep.
Article from: www.narcanon.org
