Author: John Carter

Signs of Cocaine Use and Intoxication

If you believe someone close to you is using cocaine or is addicted to cocaine, consider talking to a medical or addiction specialists, because it can be dangerous or deadly. Professional treatment can help addicts cope with the symptoms of withdrawal and make a successful, lasting recovery. Depending on the individual, treatment can range from outpatient therapy and support groups to an inpatient rehabilitation center.

We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Cocaine is an addictive stimulant drug that can change lives and be life-threatening. Using cocaine may change how people’s brains work and increase their risk for many serious medical issues. Finding the next high may seem like the most important thing in their lives.

These provide the best opportunities for overcoming your crack addiction and sustaining a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Inpatient programs start with a drug detox, and include medical oversight, as well as behavioral therapy. Programs can range anywhere from 30 days to 90 days, with longer stays recommended for more severe addictions. Prolonged use of crack can cause a number of problems for one’s physical and mental health. Crack use can lead to addiction, which is a chronic, relapsing disease that can take over many aspects of your life.

Approximately 1.3 million people in the United States over the age of 12 have a cocaine use disorder, which means they use cocaine or crack. Once the effects of crack end, an unpleasant comedown or “crash” typically follows. This is due to the high concentration of the drug in the bloodstream. Crack is typically smoked in a crack pipe, and when a person is abusing the drug frequently they will have these pipes lying around their house or their personal space. If you recognize signs that someone is on crack, you should contact a medical professional or addiction specialist. People who are on crack for a long period of time are more likely to experience infections because of a compromised immune system.

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If that’s your situation, consider participating in a support group. Treatment options are available for people who are addicted to cocaine through The Recovery Village. Lack of judgement, excessive aggression, hallucinations and paranoia are signs of cocaine use. Symptoms include fatigue, unusual sleep patterns and intense cravings. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.

Since cocaine is a stimulant, it typically causes the person that uses it to be very talkative, energetic and confident. It also creates a sense of improved well-being, which can lead them to be social, excitable and even more sexual. They may also have a diminished appetite, dilated pupils and disrupted sleep in many instances. Behavioral signs of cocaine use include paranoia, excessive aggression, lack of judgment, delusional thoughts and hallucinations. Just as with any other illicit drug, cocaine can affect the body in a number of ways.

The longer you use crack, the higher the potential for crack addiction becomes, and the more severe the long-term effects become, too. Potential short-term side effects include overdose, addiction (cocaine use disorder) and withdrawal. Long-term side effects may include serious and potentially life-threatening medical issues like heart failure, stroke or infections. Cocaine is a highly addictive drug with widespread use around the world. The short-term effects of crack cocaine often appeal to users who enjoy feeling more energetic, confident, and social. Crack can make people feel extremely happy, motivated, and stimulated, but it can lead to aggression, irritability, and anxiety when used in high amounts.

Side Effects of Crack Addiction

So when a user gets high from the drug they may feel extremely happy and have a surplus of energy, but when the high wears off they will be extremely fatigued and sad. This willl results in a user have extreme highs and lows, which results in rapid mood swings. When someone is addicted to crack, they’re likely to engage in illegal or dangerous activities to keep getting the drug. This could include stealing, violence or dangerous sexual behaviors. They may stop attending school or work, paying bills or taking care of their family. Relationships will often suffer because crack is such an addictive and all-consuming drug.

1. Crack is created by combining cocaine with baking soda and water (often with other fillers).
2. A person may also overdose on crack cocaine, especially if they mix it with alcohol or heroin.
3. Since glass and metal pipes conduct heat, many users will experience blisters and sores on their lips and mouth area.
4. The reason, as mentioned, is the short amount of time the high lasts.
5. With some drugs, such as prescription medications, it can be difficult to determine when there’s abuse and an addiction and when use is normal.

Another serious concern is that crack can be contaminated with other drugs. The short-term effects of being high on crack are one reason why it’s highly addictive and abused. As people try to chase the high of initially smoking, they may take more and more crack, becoming obsessed with it. The only way to prevent cocaine intoxication and overdose is to avoid using cocaine altogether. If you or someone you know is struggling with a cocaine addiction, there are treatment options that can help. NIDA also notes that a cocaine overdose can be intentional or unintentional, and can occur even on the first occasion of use, or at any time thereafter.

How To Know If Someone Is on Cocaine

Anyone exhibiting these symptoms may meet the clinical definition of Crack Cocaine addiction. Considering how destructive the consequences of the drug are, the availability and widespread use of Crack can be surprising. Crack takes effect immediately with an intense and rapid euphoria called a “flash high.” This happens in less than 10 seconds and lasts about 3 to 5 minutes. Crack artificially depletes your body’s energy, reducing the need for food and sleep.

They may also have damage to organs, including the heart, liver and kidneys. If you suspect someone is abusing crack, look for the signs of addiction. For example, it affects the amount of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that sends messages between nerve cells in the brain. Long-term cocaine use dulls thinking processes and the ability to remember information. Cocaine use may make the brain’s stress receptors more sensitive to stress, so people react more strongly to stressful situations. When people take cocaine, their blood pressure goes up and their heart races.

What to do if Someone You Love is Abusing Crack

A person can overdose the first time they use crack cocaine, or any time thereafter. If you or someone you know is struggling with a crack addiction, help is available. Consider reaching out to a treatment facility or seeking support groups. Your loved one doesn’t have to navigate the journey to a drug-free recovery alone. Today, an estimated 1.5 million Americans over the age of 12 are regular cocaine users. Crack addiction can be safely and effectively treated using drug detox and other therapies aimed at helping people overcome psychological symptoms and causes of addiction.

Crack is a stimulant, and therefore a person who is using crack, and is high on crack, will increase their talking. When a person is high on crack they will talk more as well as increase their speed of talking. In addition, a person high on crack may jump from one subject to the next quickly, or may not make sense when they are speaking. Crack pipes are typically made of glass or metal with a thin cylindrical shape.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 24,000 people died from cocaine overdose in 2021. When you’re wondering how to tell if someone is on cocaine, you’ll more than likely first consider their behavior. There are treatment options for those who are addicted to cocaine, most of which involve dual diagnosis programs.