Recognising Cocaine Addiction Symptoms

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that is derived from the leaves of the coca plant that is indigenous to South America. It often takes the appearance of a fine, white powder, and one of the most common ways that people use cocaine is by snorting it up their noses. It can also be smoked, and this variant is called crack cocaine.

Cocaine often produces an intense rush of euphoria, but its effects are short-lived. The drug is also tightly controlled in most countries, and its possession, use, manufacture, and distribution are generally illegal and often come with the harshest consequences of any drug-related crime.

Despite these regulations, cocaine use is still somewhat prevalent in Australia. This use can lead to addiction, which can be hard to break.

Sivana Bali is a world-class treatment centre in Bali. We ensure that our guests receive the highest level of care in a tropical paradise.

Understanding Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine addiction is a condition wherein a person compulsively uses cocaine. The drug can often become an affected person’s highest priority, superseding everything else in their life. Many people who are addicted to cocaine will spend inordinate amounts of time either planning to get more cocaine or using it.

Signs of Cocaine Addiction

There are a number of signs that can indicate that a person is using cocaine. Some of the signs of cocaine use include:

Physical Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Use 

Using cocaine can produce immediate and noticeable physical signs. These signs include dilated pupils, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, restlessness, sweating, nausea, and tremors.

Behavioural Signs of Cocaine Use

Cocaine use can also affect a person’s behavioural health in a number of ways. First, many people can become more secretive as they may try to hide their cocaine habits from friends and family members.

Speaking of family and friends, people who use cocaine may often change their social circles and replace their friends with people who share in their drug use.

Their behaviour can also become more erratic. This can often manifest as mood swings and bouts of impulsivity, such as engaging in risky behaviours like driving recklessly. They may also become more hostile or aggressive towards other people.

Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Addiction

Snorting cocaine up the nose can perforate the septum, which can lead to the nose collapsing, making it resemble a saddle. This is a condition that will require surgical intervention to correct. Even if the nose doesn’t collapse, snorting cocaine can lead to frequent runny noses or nosebleeds.

Stimulants such as cocaine can also increase a person’s heart rate and blood pressure. Over time, this can lead to cardiovascular complications such as hypertension and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Relative to other drugs, cocaine is expensive. This means that long-term addiction can often drain a person’s monetary resources and put them in dire financial straits.

Long-term use of cocaine can also increase a person’s tolerance to cocaine, which means that the drug’s effects will be diminished. This can cause many users to use a larger amount of cocaine, which can increase the risk of an overdose. 

Treatment for Cocaine Addiction 

Treating an addiction to cocaine generally requires detoxing a person so that the cocaine is purged from their system. This can cause several withdrawal symptoms, such as fatigue, irritability, depression, anxiety, and muscle aches, among others.

These symptoms can vary in intensity depending on the severity of a person’s substance use disorder.

After detox, a person can receive intensive care and continuous support by checking into a specialised treatment facility to help them overcome long-term cocaine use. After treatment, they can join an aftercare programme to help them maintain their sobriety and prevent a relapse.

We Provide Addiction Treatment and Support at Sivana Bali

Cocaine is a powerful drug, and it is a highly addictive one. The use of cocaine can have devastating effects, not just on the user but also on the people around them.

However, addiction is a manageable condition. With the right care and support, a person can retake their life from addiction and live it on their own terms. 

At Sivana Rehab, we believe that anyone can overcome addiction, and our personalised treatment is designed to give people the help they need on their recovery journeys. Contact us now, and we can assist you with making that choice.