Cocaine is a dangerous drug that can have many serious side effects. These side effects can be experienced from even a small amount of the substance. In this blog, we’re looking into all you need to know about a cocaine overdose.
What is cocaine?
Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug. As with other drugs, taking cocaine speeds up the rate at which messages are transferred between the brain and the rest of the body.
Cocaine can come in different forms and is an illegal drug. It may be referred to as ‘crack cocaine’. It can have very serious side effects when it is misused. Some of these side effects can be so serious that they require emergency medical attention.
It’s absolutely crucial that you make yourself aware of the dangers of taking stimulant drugs. You should also take time to look into any common signs that something might be wrong. This allows you to spot these dangers in other people too.
Can you overdose on cocaine?
Yes, it is possible to overdose on cocaine. When this happens, the body can become overwhelmed and, therefore, struggle to carry out its usual processes. In some cases, this can lead to life-threatening issues. Substance abuse is much better off avoided to keep you safe.
It’s common for people to take cocaine when they have also been using other substances, such as alcohol. Unfortunately, this can increase all of the risks, putting you in even more danger.
Cocaine overdose signs
It’s absolutely vital that you gain a good understanding of these signs of a cocaine overdose. Without this understanding, you or someone you love could end up in a very serious condition as a result of drug abuse.
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Increased/high blood pressure
- Increased or irregular heart rate
- Chest pains
- Severe headache
- Difficulty breathing
- Dilated pupils
- Restlessness
If you notice any of these signs of a cocaine overdose, it’s crucial that you seek professional support.
Once the initial cocaine overdose has been handled, you should look into more long-term support. At Acquiesce, we provide several rehab programmes to help you overcome your cocaine addiction and other substances. We can help you work through withdrawal symptoms with expert care. Read our blog on how to clean out cocaine from your system.
Cocaine overdose symptoms
When a cocaine overdose has occurred, these are some of the symptoms that you may be able to identify.
- High body temperature
- Skin flushing
- Increased sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Seizures
- Fast breathing
- Tremors
- Chest pain
Some people may also begin to feel the mental and psychological side effects of cocaine overdoses. Some of these symptoms can include feeling confused, agitated, becoming aggressive, feeling paranoid and hallucinating.
What affects cocaine intake?
There are many things that can affect your tolerance to drugs. It’s also important to remember that just because you felt fine one time does not necessarily mean that you will be fine the next time.
Unfortunately, many people purchase street drugs from people with little research. This means that cocaine users usually have no idea where the drugs came from or what they really contain. This in itself can cause many issues for people and can make it more complicated if hospital treatment is required.
Tolerance levels
Everyone is different, and we all have different tolerance levels to substances. You should have a good understanding of your tolerance levels, but also be aware that these can vary. Things like how tired you are, how much you’ve eaten or how hydrated you are can also have a significant impact on your tolerance levels and how much cocaine you may be able to take.
The drug in question
As we mentioned earlier, it’s not uncommon for drugs to be made up of lots of different ingredients. This means that no two batches of cocaine are the same and opens the door to more issues after taking it. There is no sure way of knowing exactly what ingredients have been used, which means you’re better off avoiding the substance.
One batch of cocaine might be weaker and, therefore, feel like it has less of an effect on your body, and another might be much stronger, meaning that you face the difficulties from taking it much sooner. Even just taking cocaine once could lead to a medical emergency or fatal overdose.
The method of drug-taking
Cocaine is a drug that can come in various forms, which can introduce different methods of consumption. Some people consume cocaine by snorting it, rubbing it into the gums or injecting it. Some of these methods cause the drug to enter the bloodstream much faster, meaning you feel the effects faster too.
Those who snort the drug usually find that it takes longer for the body to absorb the drug. This means that you may have longer to identify the signs of a cocaine overdose, which means you can act faster and may be able to reduce the risk of further issues.
Mixing cocaine with other drugs
It’s not a good idea to mix different drugs in one session or to mix them with alcohol. The use of other drugs can cause your tolerance levels to change drastically. This is partly due to not knowing how the drugs will react with one another.
Mixing cocaine with other drugs can become even more complicated when you consider the fact that you don’t know exactly which ingredients have been used in the cocaine. This will open the door to many other risk factors.
General health
In the same way that we have different tolerance levels, our health and fitness are different too. Some people may be at a higher risk of experiencing negative side effects due to certain underlying health conditions, such as those affecting the cardiovascular system. You may have an increased risk of a heart attack, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest and more. These can all cause permanent damage to your body.
Additionally, it is not a good idea to partake in drug taking when you are dealing with mental health issues. Drugs can make you feel much worse and vulnerable, and they may lead to risky behaviours which can negatively impact you or others. Read our blog on what is coke jaw and why does it happen?
Support with cocaine abuse from Acquiesce
We understand how difficult it can be to deal with a cocaine addiction, whether it’s yourself or someone you love. At Acquiesce, we offer quality and comprehensive services comprising therapy and aftercare support within our cocaine rehabilitation services.
By choosing to work with us, you’ll be supported in every way, and we’ll teach you the tools and techniques to get your life back on track. Read our blog on personal stories of recovery from cocaine addiction.
We hope this blog on cocaine overdoses has been helpful. It’s very important that you identify the signs and symptoms of a cocaine overdose and get help as soon as you can.
Are you looking for support for yourself or someone you love who is dealing with a cocaine addiction? Look no further. Contact us to find out more about our rehab centre in Bolton.
Our rehabilitation centre has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC, and we have an excellent reputation for supporting patients. We’re ready to help you live a healthier and happier life without addiction.
