What You Need To Know About Cocaine Overdose

Cocaine is a potent drug derived from the coca plant, native to South America and is commonly used recreationally for its euphoric effects, increased energy, and heightened alertness. 

Cocaine can be snorted, smoked, or injected, leading to rapid addiction due to its intense and short-lived high. It poses serious health risks, including heart attacks, strokes, respiratory failure and nasal damage. Chronic use can result in severe psychological and physical dependence, with long-term consequences such as cognitive impairment and mental health disorders. But the most troubling effect is an overdose.

Many people in Australia use or have used cocaine. At Sivana Bali, we make it our mission to help people across Australia with their drug and alcohol misuse. 

What to Do When Someone Overdoses on Cocaine

A cocaine overdose may be distressing, and being in the presence of one as it happens can be stressful. That said, there are several things that you can do if someone you know overdoses on cocaine. 

If someone were to suffer a cocaine overdose, the most important thing that you can do is to remain calm. If you panic, your thoughts will race in a hundred different directions, and you’ll be unable to do anything because you’ll be overwhelmed.

When someone overdoses on cocaine, it’s crucial to get immediate help to stabilise them. First, an overdose is a medical emergency, and you need to contact emergency services right away. While waiting for help, try to keep the person calm and still, as agitation can worsen their condition. 

Make sure they are in a safe position. Ideally, they should be lying on their side to prevent choking if they vomit. Keep track of their breathing and heart rate; if they stop breathing or lose their pulse, begin CPR if you’ve been trained to do so. 

Avoid giving them any food, drink, or other substances, as this can complicate their condition. If the person is conscious, keep them awake and support them until medical professionals arrive. Gather any and all information about the amount and type of drug(s) they’ve taken to inform the healthcare providers. Quick, calm, and informed responses can significantly improve the chances of recovery and reduce the risk of long-term damage.

Symptoms and Dangers of a Cocaine Overdose

Detecting the signs of a cocaine overdose can be somewhat difficult, especially for the untrained eye. However, recognising the signs and symptoms can prevent the worst possible outcome.

Some of the symptoms of a cocaine overdose include:

Physical Signs

Physical symptoms of a cocaine overdose can include hyperthermia (high body temperature), chest pains or pressure, irregular heartbeats, respiratory distress, nausea, headaches, seizures, and tremors.

Psychological Symptoms

An overdose of cocaine can also lead to symptoms such as agitation, extreme anxiety, paranoia, confusion, and even delusion.

Neurological Symptoms

Overdosing on cocaine can also cause a person to lose coordination, become dizzy or lightheaded, lose consciousness and slip into a coma.

How to Prevent a Cocaine Overdose

Preventing a cocaine overdose is possible. The easiest way to prevent an overdose is to avoid taking cocaine at all. However, for many people who are addicted to cocaine, the notion of not using cocaine is much easier said than done. A person who has a cocaine addiction is physically and psychologically dependent on the drug and can suffer the effects of cocaine withdrawal if they try to stop. These withdrawal symptoms can have adverse effects.

A slightly more manageable way to prevent an overdose is to limit cocaine intake. 

Education campaigns can be helpful, as making sure that people understand the effects of cocaine can help dissuade individuals from trying it in the first place.

How Much Cocaine Does it Take to Overdose?

The risk of overdose is always present when a person uses drugs. When it comes to cocaine or any other substance, the amount that it can take to overdose can vary from one person to another. A major factor that can contribute to overdosing on cocaine is a person’s behaviour.

If a person keeps themself in optimal health by exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and getting good sleep, then their metabolism will function at its peak, and they’ll be able to metabolise cocaine more efficiently, reducing the risk of a cocaine overdose.

Another habit that can influence the risk of a cocaine overdose is the length of the addiction. Long-term cocaine users can develop a tolerance for the drug. The more tolerant a person is, the more they have to take to get the high they want. This can lead to them taking too much cocaine at once and overdosing.

Yet another behaviour is polydrug. If a person were to mix cocaine with another drug, then the drugs could potentially react to each other in unexpected ways and increase the risk of an overdose.

The cocaine itself may also play a factor in the overdose. Sometimes, cocaine may be laced with something else, a filler substance, to increase its volume. This substance may be toxic and increase the overdose risk. On the other hand, cocaine that’s not laced with anything is purer and more potent, which can also increase the chances of an overdose occurring. 

Another behaviour that can influence the risk of a cocaine addiction is how a person takes it. Most people who use cocaine likely snort cocaine up their noses, which can lead to major facial deformities. Some users, however, may inject cocaine. This is highly dangerous as injecting the drug requires the least amount of cocaine to cause an overdose.

Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine addiction is a treatable condition. Inpatient rehab can be a powerful tool in helping a person kick their cocaine habit. It can put a person in a controlled environment where they have no access to drugs other than what the team deems medically necessary. 

Therapy, especially cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), can be vital. CBT is particularly helpful for changing a person’s thought patterns and behaviour, which makes it a versatile tool for overcoming addiction.

Holistic treatments, which focus on overall wellness, can also be an important tool in helping someone recover as they can help people manage stress, a major trigger for drug use, in a healthy manner.

We Can Help You Get Your Cocaine Use Under Control

The urge to use cocaine can be all-consuming for some people. The compulsion can eat away at a person’s thoughts at all hours of the day, like a voice constantly whispering or even yelling into their ear. The only way to quiet that voice for a moment is to use cocaine.

With the right treatment, a person can learn to ignore that voice, no matter how loud it gets. At Sivana Bali, we want to help people by giving them the treatment that they need to ignore that voice. Contact us now, and we can help you begin your recovery together.