15 SYMPTOMS OF COCAINE USE - ARTE - 2025

The symptoms of cocaine use are divided between those specific to cocaine and those common to other drugs. Common ones are red eyes, changes in mood and behavior, problems with employment and family, and deterioration in general health.

Cocaine is a drug obtained from the leaves of the coca plant, known as Erythroxylon coca. The countries that have the largest plantations of this shrub are in South America and are: Peru, Bolivia and Colombia. In fact, in the 1990s, Colombia was the country with the highest production of this drug.

Originally, coca leaves have been used in herbal teas and as a medicinal herb. Another of the uses for which it is also well known is to combat altitude sickness suffered by peasants due to its anesthetic and analgesic properties, as well as its cardiotonic function (as an oxygen regulating element) and, in this way, contributes to improving blood circulation.

To obtain cocaine, the coca leaves follow a manufacturing process. There are different preparations and, also, they require the use of certain chemical components that will end up influencing the degree of purity.

Cocaine use

Despite being an illegal drug, its consumption is widespread globally and is a major problem in today's society, affecting the people who consume it, their families and other support networks in different areas.

It is highly addictive due to its action on the mesolimbic reward system. Also, it is important that we know that cocaine can be ingested by different routes: nasal (that is, snorted), oral, intravenous and pulmonary.

Coca has, also, can be used legally. In this case, the use of pure cocaine, taking advantage of its anesthetic effect in eye, ear and throat operations is controlled and regulated in the health field.

In 1985, different products containing coca and cocaine were marketed, which represented a cheaper alternative for the consumption of this drug. In fact, one of those products we continue to consume today is Coca-Cola. This soft drink until 1903, contained up to 60 mg of cocaine.

Another historical fact is that Sigmund Freud (father of psychoanalysis) wrote an essay Uber Coca (On coca) in which he detailed the multiple properties of this drug. He stated them like this: "I have tried a dozen times on myself (the) effect of coca that prevents hunger, sleep and fatigue and strengthens the intellect."

Specific symptoms of cocaine use

Tight muscles, dry mouth, excessive sweating

In the first place and after ingesting cocaine, a series of physiological changes take place. These symptoms are common after having consumed a not very high dose of cocaine and will appear 15-20 after ingesting it.

In the event that the dose ingestion is not repeated, they will begin to remit within the hour. All of them are the result of the excitement and activation that the drug produces in the central nervous system and that ends up activating the rest of the system.

The muscles tense and muscle stiffness occurs. Also, it is common for these people to suffer from tachycardia (increased heart rate) and blood vessels to constrict due to activation. In addition, it will also lead to increased blood pressure and dilated pupils.

To these first symptoms, we must add dryness in the mouth and, sometimes, excessive sweating.

If taken once in isolation, symptoms are not usually more severe. If consumption is repeated in a short period of time, all these symptoms can culminate in a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Also, a cerebrovascular accident can occur.

Euphoria

After consumption, people begin to experience a feeling of euphoria. They are happy and talkative. For this reason, cocaine is a drug commonly used in social contexts in which disinhibition is sought.

Lack of sleep

The alertness and activation produced by cocaine will contribute to them not being sleepy and having difficulties falling asleep.

They are very likely to have insomnia problems if consumption is frequent. For this reason, and to be able to sleep, habitual cocaine users may resort to drugs and alcohol to fall asleep.

Lack of appetite

Also, they may experience a lack of appetite. In cases in which the loss of appetite becomes chronic, a state of malnutrition will occur.

Mania or aggressive behavior

As I pointed out earlier, people who consume some type of drug will experience a different mood than normal. In the case of cocaine, there are a series of signs that we can be alert to:

• That the person laugh more often and for no apparent reason.
• People are very aggressive or their behavior is impulsive. Also, they may suffer from hallucinations that are pseudo-perceptions due to the absence of an external stimulus. They are classified into different types: experiencing sensations through the body, hearing sounds or voices, seeing lights or objects and perceiving smells.
• Experience hyperactivity, this behavior is present when the use of the drug has been recent and is one of the first symptoms that disappear.

Cocaine, being the drug that causes the greatest mental dependence, will contribute, in a negative way, to the person creating an addiction. This fact is very likely to occur during the first days that the person consumes it.

Tolerance: need for more quantity

In the event of addiction, the person will develop tolerance to the drug. This means that the person will need a greater amount of the drug and consume it more frequently to be able to experience the positive effects and the same feeling of euphoria that they felt in their first consumption.

Addiction has an organic explanation and that is that, in the brain, dopamine receptors, an important neurotransmitter, in the synaptic space are altered. In this case, the cocaine molecules surround the dopamine transporter and block the path through which this neurotransmitter would enter.

Thus, dopamine accumulates in the synaptic space and continues to stimulate the recipient cell. In this way, the gratification pathway becomes less sensitive to natural reinforcers and to the drug itself. Therefore, the addicted person needs more doses and of greater quantity.

Another aspect related to tolerance is that these people experience a process of sensitization to anxiety, seizures and other effects of cocaine.

Intense desires to consume

The "craving" is the desire to use the drug again. This desire is very intense and is aimed at experiencing, again, a very specific sensation.

Changes in behavior when not consuming

While addicted people are not using, they begin to become more reserved, and they also neglect their relationships and obligations.

Fatigue, discomfort or anxiety when not consuming

While they are not using the drug or under its influence, they feel: fatigue, anxiety, intense discomfort, uncontrollable fears, panic, etc. This fact is known as withdrawal and is a physiological reaction.

Loss of smell and nosebleeds (sniffed)

If the person snorts it, there will be a loss of smell and nosebleeds. Also, it will cause problems when swallowing, hoarseness and irritation of the nasal septum.

If we think that a friend or relative of ours is consuming it, we can also be alerted in case there is any white powder near the nostrils and if they scratch their nose a lot. Even nosebleeds can occur.

Punctures in the arms

In the case of being ingested, one of the most visible signs are the punctures in the arms (known as tracks). They are a very common warning sign. In this case, they can lead to severe gangrene in the intestines due to reduced blood flow.

Allergic reactions

People who consume it intravenously may experience allergic reactions to cocaine or the additives it contains. In extreme cases, it will produce death.

Loss of attention

Also, people who consume it will suffer loss of attention. This fact reverses, for example, when drug use is mixed with driving and, despite experiencing a false sense of attention, these people are likely to experience the loss of real control of the vehicle.

Psychosis

Psychosis derived from cocaine use (known as cocaine psychosis) is one of the major complications related to acute use of the drug.

A high percentage of people, it is estimated that between 65-70% of compulsive cocaine users may present paranoid symptoms. This will disappear between 24 and 48 hours after consumption.

Cocaine psychosis is normally preceded by a period of suspicion and suspicion in which compulsive behaviors and dysphoric mood are common, that is; sad, anxious and irritable. In addition, it has a high component of aggressiveness and agitation.

Within this psychosis, paranoid delusions with prejudicial and celotypic content (delusions of jealousy) are also common. These delusions are related to its consumption. That is, they think that someone wants to steal the drug they are going to consume, that they talk about it in the media regarding its use, etc.

The hallucinations that I noted earlier are more present in a case of psychosis. In the case of auditory ones, they are the most common, for example: someone who follows them. With respect to visual and tactile they are less common.

Sometimes they feel like they have a parasite under their skin, called kinesthetic hallucinations of formication. To check, they pinch their skin.

Depression

After the state of euphoria and the good humor that is experienced when consuming cocaine, chronic cocaine use produces depression, in addition to irritability and general exhaustion.

These people can be diagnosed as a major depressive episode or dysthymia. In cases where depressive symptoms are mild, but are chronic and severe episodes occur, it is called mild depression.

Psychomotor retardation

With regard to motor, when consumption is prolonged, psychomotor retardation occurs, as well as muscle weakness.

They can often present motor stereotypies in which they make some nonsensical gestures or appear to be performing tasks. In them, it is common for them to go around or rummage through the furniture, hoping to find drugs.

If you want to continue reading and learning more about cocaine and its consequences, take a look at our entry (link).

References

1. RONCERO, J.; RAMOS, JA; COLLAZOS, F.; CASAS, M. Psychotic complications of cocaine use.
2. Crack-Cocaine. Gravity. NARCOCON.
3. All about cocaine. APROVON Valencia.
4. What are the short-term effects of cocaine use? National Institute on Drug Abuse.
5. LIZASOAIN, I.; MORO, MA; LORENZO, P. Cocaine: pharmacological aspects.