Signs of a Cocaine User

What is cocaine and how is it ingested?

The drug cocaine is a strong stimulant of the central nervous system which typically interferes with a re-absorption of dopamine, a chemical messenger that is normally associated with movement and pleasure. The brain releases dopamine as a part of the reward system and is also involved in the euphoric affect or high that is characteristic of cocaine abuse, addiction, or dependence.

Depending on the way in which cocaine is administered and ingested, this will usually influence the duration of the high that results. Putting it simply, the faster cocaine is absorbed into the system, the more intense that the high will be. Conversely, the faster the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream, the shorter its duration of action will be. The immediate euphoric effects include hyper-stimulation, mental clarity, and reduced fatigue. Increased use of cocaine will negatively impact the period of stimulation that is realized.

The high that results from smoking cocaine in crack form typically peaks within 5 to 10 minutes. On the other hand, snorting the drug results in a high that may last from 15 minutes to a half hour. As you can see, the route of administration that the individual uses when they are abusing, addicted to, or dependent upon cocaine will determine the effectiveness of the drug.

An overview of cocaine use

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive substance that is responsible for thousands of admissions into addiction treatment and recovery centers throughout the US as well as many deaths due to overdose every year. Along with amphetamines, club drugs or hallucinogens, heroin, marijuana, and prescription painkillers, cocaine is one of the primary drug threats in the US today according to the DEA and other law enforcement agencies. It is also viewed as a serious public health threat according to numerous healthcare and medical professionals.

There have been numerous animal research studies which have proven that different lab animals will press a bar 10,000 times or more and work very hard to get more of the drug even after they have been injected with it. There were also numerous instances where they chose cocaine over food and water once addiction to the drug had taken place. Even when they were punished for their behavior, they still wanted more. It was also revealed that the amount of cocaine had to be limited in order to prevent them from overdosing on the drug.

Some of the primary ways in which cocaine users administer or ingest the drug include inhaling or snorting, injecting, or smoking the drug in crack form which is also referred to as freebasing. Injecting cocaine involves releasing it into one’s blood stream using a needle and syringe. Smoking it in crack form involves inhaling the smoke or vapor into the lungs at which point it enters the bloodstream as rapidly as when the drug is injected. Snorting results in the drug being absorbed through the nasal tissue into the person’s bloodstream.

The signs that indicate a person is using cocaine

With cocaine use as well as other addictive substances such as amphetamines or heroin, there are numerous warning signs of a cocaine user which are paraphernalia used in administering the drug as well as the physical symptoms. Examples of paraphernalia usually involve the following:

• empty, small plastic bags or packets that have a white powder residue
• mirrors or razor blades that are used for lining out cocaine to be snorted
• rolled up currency which are used to snort cocaine
• small bottles sealed with screw on caps for storing the drug
• small spoon-like objects that are used for snorting cocaine

The most common red flags or warning signs that indicate an individual is using cocaine include the following:

• anxiety or panic attacks
• bad reaction to the drug due to purity issues
• continually runny nose
• excessive talking or fast speech
• hyper-alertness
• increased blood pressure or heart rate
• increased body temperature
• irritability
• lack of feeling fatigued or sleeplessness
• nosebleeds
• peripheral blood vessels that are constricted
• pupil dilation
• restlessness
• seizures resulting from high doses
• white powder on the person’s clothing or face

As the tolerance to cocaine use builds up, the person needs to ingest increasingly larger amounts of the drug in order to achieve the desired effect or high that they are hoping to experience. Many cocaine abusershave reported that they oftentimes fail to achieve the high that they are looking for. Research has also proven how the reinforcement qualities of the powerful neuropsychological characteristics of cocaine are responsible for the person to continue using cocaine regardless of the harmful physiological and social consequences.

Although the occurrences of it are rare, fatalities will occur. This is usually due to the fact that when the tolerance build-up occurs, the individual has to consume larger doses of the drug in order to feel the high that they felt the first time they tried cocaine. Ironically, there is no way in which to determine which individuals are prone to overdose or sudden death from cocaine and which ones are not.

Getting professional help when you are a cocaine user

It is extremely important when you feel that you or a loved one is suffering from cocaine abuse, addiction, or dependency that you get professional help immediately in order to avoid a potentially life-threatening situation. It is also the main reason why we would like to speak with you about our Strength to Change addiction treatment and recovery program. This program is one of the most effective ones in the US with one of the highest recovery success rates possible.

This is a professional addiction rehab program that has drawn from a comprehensive curriculum and a variety of treatment and recovery options that will address your clinical and personal needs. If you would like to know more about this program and the Delray Recovery Center, please contact us today at the toll-free phone number that is listed above at the top of this page.