About Cocaine Effects

Welcome to 800-Cocaine.net where we discuss cocaine effects, addiction and treatment. For the six million people in the United States who sniff, snort, inject or smoke this highly addictive and illegal drug, addiction has become a dangerous problem that can lead to adverse short-term physical effects, as well as irreversible long-term effects on the body.

Cocaine Effects

Classified as a stimulant, cocaine affects the entire body, including the brain, heart, lungs, and the whole central nervous system. Due to its extremely addictive nature, it comes as no surprise that the majority of drug treatment sought in the United States is for cocaine addiction.

In experiments done with lab animals, the animal will use until it kills itself when allowed unlimited access to cocaine. With humans, like lab animals, the desire for the drug will cause them to do whatever it takes to obtain more. Since cocaine hinders the way the brain absorbs dopamine, people who use the drug have increasing urges to use again and again. Once someone starts using it, it is highly likely that they will want to use it repeatedly.

Cocaine is not alleged to cause severe withdrawal symptoms and because of this, scientists had previously believed that it was not a dependence-inducing drug. But it has been determined that with sustained cocaine use, withdrawal tends to be more psychological with users experiencing cravings, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, fatigue and increased appetite. Nevertheless, these symptoms are not automatically evident in everyone and some may suffer no symptoms at all.

Regardless of form, powder or crack cocaine, the intense euphoric feelings caused by its use are felt almost immediately and are enjoyable for the user.  This makes for a powerful reinforcement to use again, increasing the risk for addiction, toxicity and a host of health problems. At first glance, some of these short-term effects do not seem that negative but keep in mind that the effects wear off rapidly. Short-term cocaine effects include:

  • Increase In Energy & Alertness
  • Decrease In Appetite
  • Elevated Body Temperature
  • Higher Heart Rate
  • Higher Blood Pressure
  • Dilated Pupils
  • Anxiety In Some

Continual use can lead to the following long-term cocaine effects which can also be experienced by occasional and recreational users as well:

  • Paranoia  & Hallucinations
  • Mental Disturbances
  • Extreme Anxiety
  • Mood Swings
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Persistent Runny Nose
  • Malnutrition Caused By Decreased Appetite
  • Nausea & Digestive Ailments
  • Respiratory Ailments & Arrest
  • Seizures
  • Strokes
  • Cardiac Arrest & Failure

Heavy use of cocaine can lead to severe stimulation of the central nervous system, which may lead to convulsions, respiratory arrest or cardiac arrest. In extreme cases, the drug can even trigger ventricular fibrillation which leads to sudden cardiac failure. This happens when the Vargas nerve controlling the heartbeat can’t function properly which leads to a wild, erratic heartbeat.

This extreme cardiac event has been experienced by users who suffer an allergic response while injecting cocaine, whether it’s to the drug alone or an additive used to cut it. An amphetamine overdose is comparable to this reaction, but with cocaine, it is much more difficult to accurately determine what a lethal amount of the drug is. This is because there are reported deaths as a result of first time use, while on average it requires larger and larger doses of the drug to reach the desired effect.

Although snorting cocaine can cause a chronic, irritated runny nose, this side effect is mild compared to what happens with sustained use, such as increased irritability, restlessness, paranoia and auditory hallucinations. In a number of cases, full paranoid psychosis takes place as the user totally loses their grip on reality, contributing to violent behavior. Still, as the drug exits their system, most people will recover their senses, but some of the physical damage will remain.

As you have read, the short and long-term effects of cocaine abuse and addiction can lead to irreversible and lethal consequences to the body, making it crucial for cocaine addicts to get help right away. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can be even harsher than the addiction itself, indicating that medical supervision may be required to make certain that detox can take place safely. Registering in treatment program could mean the difference between life and death.

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