Symptoms of Cocaine Use
The symptoms of cocaine use will show up almost directly after the first dose. These effects can last for minutes or hours, depending on many factors. There are many different symptoms of cocaine use, all dependent on different conditions and people. Cocaine can have both short term and long term effects on the user, as the drug is a stimulant and can cause changes in many ways.
Short Term Symptoms Cocaine can alter a person’s mood in a variety of different ways. Typically, cocaine use symptoms increase the feelings of happiness and alertness. Many users report that they can get more physical tasks done, more quickly, after cocaine use. Feelings of euphoria are also increased. Users may become more talkative and mentally alert, and can be sensitive to sights, sounds, and touch. Cocaine use can also lead to higher feelings of sexual awareness in some people.
Cocaine use will almost always decrease the user’s need for food. Most will not be able to sleep for a while after using this drug. Cocaine also has a numbing effect on the parts of the body it touches. Some users report they develop nausea and bowel problems during the use of the drug, as well as headaches and dry eyes.
Cocaine causes physical effects, as well. The pupils can become extremely dilated, heart rate increases, and blood pressure can rise. Those who ingest a large amount of cocaine can experience more violent and disturbing effects. These can include tremors, dizziness, twitching, anxiety, and anger. Some users report feeling extreme nervousness and paranoia. There have been rare instances that cocaine has caused death after the very first dose. Cocaine-related deaths can occur by cardiac arrest and seizures.
Long Term Symptoms Cocaine use can quickly lead to an all-out addiction. It is an extremely powerful and addictive drug, both physiologically and physically. The more a person uses cocaine, the more they will need to produce the same high. Long term symptoms of cocaine use may be irritability, mood changes and mood swings, increased paranoia, anger, and auditory hallucinations.
There are many medical complications that are associated with cocaine use. The most frequent are the cardiovascular effects it can cause. These can include a heart attack, chest pains, respiratory failures, strokes, and seizures.
While there are no cut and dried physical symptoms of cocaine use, some users can be identified by increased sniffling as if they have a cold, shaking, nervousness, and dilated eyes.