Signs of Cocaine Abuse
There are many signs of cocaine abuse to look for if you suspect someone you care about is using the drug. An individual can become dependent on cocaine after using it for only a short time. As the individual continues to use cocaine, it becomes harder and harder for them to resist the urges and cravings for the drug. Cocaine users quickly build up a tolerance to the drug. They require higher doses and more frequent use to get the same “high” feeling that they felt the first time from using the drug. With increased use of cocaine, addicts quickly spend large amounts of money to buy the drug. They may even start stealing, selling sex, or dealing drugs to obtain money to buy more cocaine.
The following are signs of cocaine abuse:
- Being easily angered, having mood swings, or threatening to hurt other people
- Chest pain
- Convulsions (seizures) if you use large amounts
- Dilated (large) pupils
- Extremely talkative; fast speech
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling "high," excited, or having lots of energy
- Feeling of unhappiness with life
- Feeling that you are the center of everyone's attention
- Fighting with friends or losing friends
- Having a headache, or hearing ringing in your ears.
- Hearing or feeling things that you know are not there ("coke bugs")
- Heart attack
- Heart problems
- High blood pressure
- Hyper-alertness
- Inability to decrease cocaine use
- Inability to focus on one thing
- Inability to stop using cocaine despite adverse effects
- Irregular heartbeat
- Lack of fatigue/sleeplessness
- Loss of sex drive
- Mirrors and razor blades used for making lines
- Missing work
- Nervousness
- Nose bleeds
- Not enjoying the things you used to enjoy
- Overdosing
- Panic and/or heightened anxiety response
- Paranoia, (This is when you think that everyone is "out to get you")
- Rapid rise in body temperature
- Restlessness
- Rolled money bills used for snorting
- Runny nose
- Scared that people are following you
- Sleeping problems
- Small bottles with screw on lids for storing the drug
- Small plastic packets with white residue
- Small spoon-like items used for snorting
- Stroke
- Thinking about, planning to, or trying to kill yourself
- Trouble thinking or paying attention
- Use of cocaine throughout the day