Evidence-based treatments help people address the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of addiction, providing them with the tools they need to stay sober long-term. This means that a person may need to use larger amounts of cocaine more frequently to feel the same short-term effects. Cocaine tolerance can increase a person’s risk of experiencing an overdose. If a person uses cocaine, it can have both short- and long-term effects on their brain. Some effects of cocaine are almost instantaneous and typically last from a few minutes to 1 hour. It can be fatal or cause long term damage, even on first use, especially to those with pre-existing heart conditions or high blood pressure.
Likewise, social influences (for example, peer pressure and cultural norms) can all lead to people starting taking cocaine and continuing cocaine use. The phrase “dope fiend” was originally coined many years ago to describe the negative side effects of constant cocaine use. As tolerance to the drug increases, it becomes necessary to take greater and greater quantities to get the same high. Though the intensity and duration may vary, cocaine has potent short-term and long-term effects on the body, some of which can be permanent with chronic use. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant.
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These effects occur within minutes of use, accompanied by physical changes such as an increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and constricted blood vessels. While users experience a sense of power and invincibility, they also face heightened risks, including anxiety, paranoia, and agitation. The immediate crash following the initial high involves feelings of exhaustion, irritability, and strong cravings for more of the drug, pushing the user into a cycle of repeated use. The short-term effects of cocaine use can be incredibly intense, both physically and mentally.
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However, even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn’t mean they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general. Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and check in about potential interactions with other supplements or medications. Naturally found in small amounts in red meat and seafood, creatine is also synthesized by the body and stored short and long-term health risks and effects of cocaine in muscles for energy use during high-intensity exercise.
Cardiovascular Complications
Cocaine abuse can shatter relationships, make it impossible to hold a job, and can put people in a state of mind that causes them to resort to desperate and dangerous acts to maintain their drug use. This means it stimulates the body’s central nervous system (CNS), which is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Cocaine can be snorted, smoked, injected, or rubbed onto the gums to achieve a rapid drug high. The onset of cocaine’s effects—which can be felt within seconds—may depend on the route of administration.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Long-term use can also cause a person’s cognitive functions to become impaired, affecting areas such as their attention span, impulse inhibition, decision making and motor skills. Cocaine can also age the brain, leading to long-term memory problems, while also impacting on a person’s mental health. Targeting the complex neurobiological aspects of addiction, treatment integrates behavioral interventions and pharmacotherapy for a scientifically informed and holistic approach to cocaine addiction. Genetic factors, environmental influences, and individual vulnerabilities contribute to the development of addiction.
- For example, ongoing cocaine abuse can cause structures within the brain to physically change.
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- This post breaks down the short- and long-term effects of cocaine use and explains why treatment can make a real difference.
- There have been reports of people experiencing a stroke, cardiac arrest, seizures, and psychosis after taking cocaine.
The initial crash period may cause either strong or reduced cravings for cocaine. The side effects of a crash typically last no more than a few hours, but may be followed by additional symptoms of withdrawal. Find rehab for yourself or a loved one by speaking with a treatment provider. Medical cocaine refers to the limited, controlled use of the substance in medical settings, primarily in the form of cocaine hydrochloride. Cocaine works by blocking nerve impulses, numbing the area where it is applied.
The withdrawal symptoms of cocaine are as follows:
The strain on your cardiovascular system can lead to a range of problems, including chest pain, heart attacks, and even sudden cardiac death. Long-term cocaine use can cause irreversible damage to the heart and blood vessels, leading to chronic cardiovascular disease. If you’re suffering from any of these conditions and still using cocaine regularly, you’re continuing to risk permanent damage to your organs or death. Cocaine affects the brain’s dopamine system, flooding the brain with this chemical, which results in feelings of euphoria, energy, and enhanced alertness. This increase in dopamine is why cocaine can be so addictive — users often seek to replicate the initial “high” repeatedly. However, repeated use increases the risk of dependence, long-term health issues, and severe addiction.
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- Like cocaine’s effects on the brain, these physical effects can also be felt very quickly.
- A person should contact a doctor if they are using cocaine to discuss the health effects of the substance and support to help stop using it.
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Over time, prolonged snorting of cocaine causes a deviated septum, where the cartilage in the nose shifts, making breathing more difficult. The damage worsens to the point of “saddle nose,” where the nose’s structure collapses due to the destruction of cartilage, leaving a noticeable depression. You should always avoid mixing cocaine with other drugs and alcohol, as this can be extremely dangerous and increase the risk of an overdose. If you’re seeing the signs of cocaine addiction and starting to worry, it’s okay to ask for help. The earlier someone gets support, the easier it is to break the cycle and start healing.
You may also exhibit erratic behaviour and impaired judgement – which means you may be more likely to do things that you wouldn’t do whilst sober. With chronic use, cocaine can lead to serious complications that affect a range of organs and systems, including the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and gastrointestinal system. In rare cases, sudden death can occur from the first use of cocaine or shortly after.12 Usually, this is caused by cardiac arrest or seizures, which are risks with any level of cocaine use.
Cocaine’s Side Effects After Prolonged Use
Cocaine addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition characterized by compulsive cocaine use despite harmful consequences. It occurs when a person develops a psychological and physical dependence on the drug, driven by the intense euphoric feelings that cocaine produces. These feelings are due to the drug’s effects on the brain’s reward system, particularly by increasing dopamine levels, which leads to reinforcing pleasurable sensations.