Cocaine Side Effects: The Many Dangers

​Cocaine is a very addictive drug.  It is a stimulant which increases one's alertness, attention, and energy while having ample side effects. It comes from the coca plant native to South America and has many other names such as coke, crack, rock, snow, and others.  It comes in different forms such as a fine, white powder or solid rock crystal.  It is illegal in the United States
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Cocaine Side Effects

There are different ways to take cocaine. One can snort the white powder into their nose, rub it into the gums, or dissolve it in water to inject it through a needle.  Other times, the rock crystal is heated to breathe the smoke.

After inhaling or consuming cocaine, the drug will significantly elevate dopamine, which is a natural chemical neurotransmitter in the brain controlling pleasure. This is what causes intense feelings of alertness and energy, feeling high, which is fairly addictive. 

Cocaine effects people differently. Some report feeling a sense of intense euphoria. Others report feeling anxiety, pain, or even hallucinations. 

The buildup of dopamine is the reason why people misuse cocaine to the point of abuse and/or dependence. The brain is wired to fulfill the craving for that dopamine. Cocaine changes the neurochemistry, which leads to a substance use disorder. The brain does become sensitized to cocaine which results in diminished spikes of dopamine.  People addicted to cocaine will continue to search for that high that can't be replicated.  

While you might think the higher levels of dopamine is a great feeling, this is only a short-term effect. The "high" feeling is intense, but once you are "back to normal", you may end up feeling the exact opposite. This high will generally deteriorate with long-term use which amplifies the side effects. One may experience intense depression, lack of sleep, low appetite, increased heart rate, convulsions, and muscle spasms. 

Cocaine users might also feel angry, anxious, hostile, and/or paranoid, even when they aren't using the drug at that time. It leaves them wanting more as an attempt to evade such negative feelings and emotions
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​Short-term Cocaine Side Effects

• Loss of appetite and sleep
• Increased body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate
• Contracted blood vessels
• Increased breathing rate
• Hyperstimulation
• Erratic or violent behavior
• Hallucinations or hyperexcitability
• Nausea
• Anxiety, depression, panic, paranoia, or psychosis
• Convulsions, seizures, or even sudden death after an overdose

​Long-term Cocaine Side Effects

• Permanent damage to blood vessels
• Organ damage including the kidney, liver, and lungs
• High blood pressure
• Respiratory failure if cocaine was smoked
• Destruction of nose tissue if cocaine was sniffed
• Infectious diseases and/or abscesses if cocaine was injected
• Weight loss and malnutrition
• Tooth decay
• Sexual problems and infertility
• Experiencing hallucination, delirium, depression, or psychosis

This is just the start to the list of the side effects. Continual usage and increasing to higher doses of cocaine can lead to a cocaine overdose, heart attacks, or other life-threatening medical emergencies. If you or someone know you exhibits these side effects and are regular cocaine users, they should seek treatment immediately.

If you or someone you know struggles with a cocaine addiction, then do reach out to a medical professional for help and intervention immediately.