How Bad Is Cocaine for You?

Powder cocaine is the second most commonly used illegal drug in the UK, after cannabis. There is a common perception that cocaine is a ‘high-functioning’ or relatively harmless drug and it is more socially acceptable than other substances in some circles.

In reality, cocaine can affect almost every major system in the body, even in people who don’t consider themselves addicted.

Here we will look at the potential short- and longer-term consequences of cocaine use and consider how bad cocaine actually is for your physical and mental health…

How Bad Is Cocaine for You?

So just how bad is cocaine for you? The short answer is that it can have serious impacts on both physical and mental health.

As a powerful stimulant, it puts strain on the cardiovascular system and can cause issues like raised blood pressure, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and even heart attacks and stroke. It can also impact the respiratory system. A cocaine overdose can be very serious and potentially fatal.

Cocaine use is also linked to psychological issues such as anxiety and mood swings. It can cause insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns. Some lesser-known potential effects include impotence and malnutrition due to repressed appetite.

There can also be risks related to the way the drug is taken. Snorting cocaine can cause soft tissue damage to the nose and throat. Smoking can damage the lungs, and injecting can damage the veins and increase the risk of infections.

Finally, cocaine is extremely addictive, which can bring its own psychological and physical complications. The risks increase the more cocaine is used, but it is easy to slip from occasional to regular and chronic or dependent use.

What Happens to Your Body When You Take Cocaine?

Cocaine is a powerful but relatively short-lived central nervous stimulant. It can cause a range of effects that people seek out, including:

• Increased energy
• Euphoria
• Confidence
• Talkativeness

However, it can also cause less pleasant side effects, including:

• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Restlessness
• Nausea

Inside the body, it can also raise your temperature and increase your heart rate. Cocaine will typically start to work within 5-30 minutes and wears off after 15-40 minutes. This can lead to a comedown, which can involve an energy crash, anxiety, mood swings and muscle tremors.

Can Cocaine Harm You After Just One Use?

The risks can build up over time and usage, but cocaine can harm the user the first time they try it. There is always a potential for cardiovascular damage and other harmful effects and it is also possible to overdose on cocaine. This can lead to dangerously high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and death.

Other potential symptoms of cocaine toxicity or overdose include:

• Headache
• Paranoia
• Hyperthermia (raised body temperature)
• Severe agitation or confusion
• Blurred or loss of vision
• Diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain
• Delirium

As the NHS points out, mixing alcohol and cocaine produces a toxic chemical called cocaethylene, which affects the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of overdose.

The Hidden Risks People Don’t Always Consider

Purity issues can affect in a couple of different ways. Cocaine that is purer or stronger than the user is used to could have a more powerful effect, potentially increasing the risk of overdose. Other batches of cocaine may be cut or contaminated with other substances. Users often have little idea what they are actually taking.

How Does Cocaine Affect Your Mental Health?

Cocaine can cause anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia and mood changes in the short term. Regular or chronic use can also have longer-term impacts on mental health, including causing or exacerbating a range of psychiatric symptoms and conditions.

These can include:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Cocaine-related psychosis
• Bipolar disorder
• Dependence/addiction

What Does Long-Term Cocaine Use Do to the Body?

Regular use of cocaine can have a serious impact on the cardiovascular system and heart, weakening the heart muscle and putting extreme stress on the whole system. This can increase the risk of heart attacks and other serious conditions. Reduced blood flow to the digestive tract can cause stomach pain, tears, and ulcers and a buildup of toxicity can Reduced blood flow to the digestive tract can cause stomach pain, tears, and ulcers. The toxicity can also lead to liver and kidney damage.

The way you take the drug can also cause damage to the nasal passages and sinuses (from snorting), lungs (smoking) and veins (if injecting).

Long-term cocaine use can cause neurological damage, with constricted blood vessels in the brain increasing the risk of strokes, seizures and aneurysms.

Chronic use can also affect appearance, sleep, energy levels and overall quality of life.

Why Is Cocaine So Addictive?

Cocaine essentially lights up the brain’s reward system, causing the euphoria that people seek out. The short duration of the effects often leads to people using the drug again to chase that high. Over time, the user will develop a tolerance as the brain adjusts to the drug, meaning they need to use more and more for the same effect.

At the same time, users may experience crashes and withdrawal symptoms when they do not use the drug. All this can lead to a cycle of repeated usage, dependency and addiction.

What Are the Signs Cocaine Use Is Becoming a Problem?

Signs that cocaine use is becoming a problem could include:

• Increased or regular usage
• Getting less noticeable effects from the same usage
• Cravings
• Anxiety or agitation when you don’t have access to the drug
• Trying and failing to quit or cut down
• Using more than you can afford
• Using it in inappropriate situations, such as at work or when looking after children
• Neglecting other responsibilities and activities
• Continuing to use despite negative consequences

What Happens When You Stop Using Cocaine?

Some damage from cocaine use can be permanent, but some issues may start to improve after you quit. This can be easier said than done, however. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms tend to be more psychological than physical, but can include energy crashes and fatigue, strong cravings, anxiety and mood swings.

Some people may also experience emotional numbness or lack of pleasure, agitation and extreme suspicion or paranoia.

Treatment and Recovery from Cocaine Addiction

It can be extremely difficult to quit cocaine without professional help, but that help is always available for anyone who reaches out. Treatments for cocaine addiction can involve supervised cocaine detox, a range of therapies, relapse prevention sessions and aftercare support. A holistic cocaine rehab programme is generally the most effective way to help someone struggling with this issue to make a full and long-lasting recovery.

If cocaine use is affecting your health, relationships or daily life, seeking professional help might be one of the most important steps you ever take.