Cocaine overdose is a serious risk in Australia, potentially leading to severe side effects or death. This article discusses the signs of overdose, associated risks, and emergency response actions.
Cocaine addiction is the chronic use of the drug cocaine despite increasingly negative consequences to a person’s physical, mental, familial, professional, and social health. In other words, it’s regularly using the drug despite it causing major problems, and not being able to stop even though you want to.
If you or a loved one are struggling with cocaine use disorder (CUD), there’s help. We know what you’re going through. Addiction can feel hopeless, and like there’s no way to break the cycle. But you can…
We’ve helped countless Australians heal their dependence and go on to live better lives in sobriety than they ever dreamed of in active addiction.
Understanding the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for cocaine use disorder is the first step in making a full recovery. So, that’s what we’re going to cover in this guide.
We just want you to recognise the signs and find treatment immediately. If it’s not with us, that’s totally fine. We just want you to get help.
And remember: You are NOT alone in this struggle. CUD is one of the most common disorders we treat here at The Cabin in Sydney and our luxury treatment centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Read on to learn the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatments for cocaine addiction from our team of addiction specialists.
What is Cocaine?
Cocaine, also known as coke or blow, is a dangerous stimulant drug that often comes in powder form. It produces dangerous, perhaps even life-threatening effects. Some of the effects of cocaine include:
Short-term effects
- Euphoria
- Alertness
- Energy
- Dilated pupils
- Reduced appetite
- Grandiosity or a feeling of invincibility
Long-term effects
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive issues
- Nasal injuries
- Addiction
But the long-term effects go even further than this. When people use coke, they can get violent – both with themselves and others. Some even experience what is known as cocaine psychosis. If you or someone you know is struggling, please get help before it spirals out of control. It’s not a matter of IF but WHEN.
Cocaine is both highly addictive and highly illegal in Australia. But that doesn’t stop people from using it regularly.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s page “Illicit Drug Use” from July 2024, in 2022-2023, 4.5% of Australians aged 14 and over had used the drug in the previous 12 months.
And it’s not just for “drug addicts on the streets”, either. That is a harmful stereotype. Abuse is running rampant across Australia. According to the National Institutes of Health, cocaine abuse increased 63% among working Australians from 2016-2019.
Why is Cocaine so Addictive?
Cocaine is extremely addictive due to the effects it has on your brain and body, particularly neurotransmitters like dopamine that make up your “reward system”.
When you take the substance, it causes a surge of dopamine in your brain that makes you feel invincible. You enjoy everything. You have infinite energy. You are quite literally on top of the world (in your own mind). That’s why some addicts say it’s like speeding down an empty highway in a sports car: The world is yours.
But the effects wear off quickly, and your body rapidly builds a tolerance to it. So now you’ve got a problem: You’ll do ANYTHING to get that feeling back again, but you’ll need MORE of it to get that same effect.
You’re now caught in cocaine’s trap, so your use keeps escalating and escalating until it becomes a problem.
After chronic abuse, cocaine eventually alters your brain chemistry. Since your brain is so used to the rush of dopamine it gets from coke, it no longer produces enough “feel good” chemicals naturally. This makes it nearly impossible to enjoy life without the drug. This is where dependence sets in. It really is an ingenious trap.
Don’t Lose Hope: Cocaine destroys your brain’s natural ability to produce dopamine, but it’s not permanent. Through abstinence, the brain can begin to heal itself and get to pre-addiction levels. A 2001 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience entitled “Loss of Dopamine Transporters in Methamphetamine Abusers Recovers with Protracted Abstinence” by Volkow, Nora D., et al., found that he brains of drug addicts repaired their own dopamine system and showed significant improvement after about one year.
What Are The Signs of Cocaine Addiction?
The telltale signs of cocaine addiction include dilated pupils, mood swings, lying or hiding usage, taking increased amounts or using more frequently, sudden weight loss, a decrease in appetite, and social withdrawal.
Keep in mind that some people are able to hide their condition surprisingly well. On the surface, it looks like they have totally normal lives. They are successful, have a loving family, have a nice car and home, and do all the normal stuff that normal people do.
But below the surface, they have a severe problem.
Here are some of the signs to look for in a person to tell if they have cocaine addiction:
Dilated Pupils
Cocaine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which causes the user’s eyes to dilate. This is sometimes called “cocaine eyes”. Check to see if the person’s eyes are larger than normal.
Mood Swings And Paranoia
Cocaine addicts often suffer from severe mood swings, so keep note of the individual’s mood (or your own!). Remember, this stimulant causes extreme euphoria, but eventually leads to a crash that leaves the brain craving more. This leads to agitation and irritability, seemingly for no reason at all.
It can even lead to paranoia. Paranoia is one of the most common side effects of cocaine abuse. The flood of dopamine in the brain can trigger hyperactivity. In fact, paranoia is extremely common among addicts.
Severe Weight Loss And Reduced Appetite
Rapid weight loss and a reduced desire to eat are two hallmark signs of cocaine addiction that are easy to spot.
Have you or someone you know lost a lot of weight for unknown reasons? Do they seem to never want to eat or always have an excuse as to why they aren’t eating at the dinner table?
Cocaine is a dangerous stimulant that attacks weight on two fronts. For one, it increases wakefulness, energy, and physical activity, while at the same time suppressing appetite. So, not only is the person doing more physical activity, they don’t even notice they’re hungry.
This is because your body is in its fight or flight state that it evolved in order to run away from predators. It doesn’t think it has time to eat.
Now, on top of that, cocaine can also result in long-term changes to your metabolism and the way your body stores fat, according to a study from the University of Cambridge called The Skinny on Cocaine.
Lying About or Hiding Their Cocaine Use
People struggling with addiction often lie or hide their drug use out of shame, guilt, or fear of being judged. They’d rather just sit in their room and get high without the eyes of others on them.
They may downplay how often they use, hide paraphernalia, or make excuses for missing money or odd behaviour.
Watch for inconsistencies in their stories, social withdrawal (more on this next), secretive habits, or unexplained changes in spending. If you notice your loved one becoming defensive or evasive when asked simple questions, it could be a sign they’re hiding cocaine use.
Social Withdrawal or Loss of Interest
When you’re addicted to a substance, getting high is your number one priority. Nothing is more important than getting your next bag. This leads to social withdrawal, where the addict wants to be alone, either to use out of sight of others or to deal with withdrawal symptoms.
Loss of interest is another common sign of a cocaine problem. It becomes impossible to enjoy anything in life without cocaine. This leads addicts to lose interest in things they used to enjoy before they became addicted.
Financial Issues
Substance use disorders usually create financial issues that lead to signs of addiction like borrowing money, missing payments, or getting evicted.
Cocaine is not cheap here in Australia, and it definitely is not easy to work when you’re dealing with a comedown.
This creates a “burning the candle at both ends” syndrome that has catastrophic effects on the addict’s finances. They spend all their money on coke, and in the times they aren’t using, they’re missing work, leaving early, or not getting anything done.
If you notice yourself or someone in your life borrowing money unexpectedly or dealing with unexplained financial difficulties, it could be because they’ve spent all their money on drugs.
Want
to Quit Cocaine
but Can’t
What Are The Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine addiction is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition that causes a range of negative physical, mental, and behavioural health symptoms. These symptoms of addiction can range from nose bleeds and mood swings to risky behaviours such as theft in order to get money for drugs.
Let’s cover the symptoms of cocaine addiction in further detail by dividing them into categories:
Physical symptoms
Cocaine causes a burst of energy and euphoria that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world. This often leads to physical symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, increased energy and restlessness, and difficulties sleeping.
Cocaine use may cause the following physical symptoms:
- Nose bleeds
- Cardiovascular issues such as heart palpitations
- Limitless energy
- Tremors or shakes
- Insomnia
- Lack of appetite
Mental Symptoms
Someone who is struggling with cocaine addiction may notice the following mental health issues:
- Extreme confidence
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Paranoia
- Obsessive behaviour
Behavioural Symptoms
Drug addiction often causes strange or unsettling behaviours that are not characteristic of the addict normally. These include a preoccupation with cocaine, risky behaviours such as unprotected sex, and criminal behaviours such as theft.
Behavioural symptoms of cocaine use disorder include:
- Increased lying and secrecy
- Increased risk-taking
- Neglecting professional or familial responsibilities
- Financial difficulties
- Social withdrawal
- Frequent bathroom trips
- Impulsive behaviour
- Erratic behaviour (e.g, emotional outbursts)
What Are The Long-Term Risks of Cocaine Addiction?
Chronic cocaine abuse poses severe long-term health risks to the nose, heart, lungs, stomach, and brain. The addict is at risk of developing severe breathing issues, heart disease, blood clots, a collapsed pallet or nose, stomach ulcers, and cognitive issues such as psychosis and severe depression.
In other words: Cocaine is DESTRUCTIVE. It wreaks havoc on your body.
Here are the long-term health risks of abusing cocaine to the different systems of your body:
Nasal Problems
Chronic snorting of cocaine can damage the nasal passages, causing frequent nosebleeds, chronic congestion, and loss of smell. Over time, it can erode the nasal septum and lead to a condition called septal perforation. Severe cases can even result in facial deformities or permanent nasal collapse.
Heart Issues
Cocaine significantly increases the risk of serious problems like heart attacks, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy. It constricts blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and speeds up the heart rate, making the heart work harder. Over time, this can lead to permanent damage to the heart muscle or even sudden cardiac death, even in young and otherwise healthy individuals.
Digestive Issues
Cocaine addicts often suffer from abdominal pain, ulcers, and even life-threatening bowel perforations. Chronic users may also experience appetite suppression and weight loss, which lead to malnutrition and weakened immune function. These issues occur because the substance disrupts normal blood circulation and digestion.
Respiratory Issues
Smoking cocaine (“crack”) can lead to severe lung damage, including chronic bronchitis, asthma-like symptoms, and scarring in the lungs. The drug irritates the respiratory tract, causing coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Over time, it can also increase the risk of serious infections like pneumonia.
Cognitive Issues
Long-term cocaine use can cause anxiety disorders, depression, and even psychosis. In fact, psychosis is one of the most common side effects of chronic cocaine abuse. This happens because it disrupts normal cognitive function in the brain, damaging areas responsible for learning and emotional regulation. Over time, the brain struggles to feel pleasure from normal activities, which makes it even harder to break the cycle of addiction.
Can Cocaine Dependence be Deadly?
Yes, absolutely. While the physical withdrawal symptoms of cocaine might not be as bad as other drugs, the user’s behaviour can be more erratic and even violent.
One study in the National Library of Medicine entitled “Forensic aspects of drug-induced violence” by Ander, Peter D., and Bokor, Gyula, from 2012 explicitly states “Drugs can cause aggression by altering the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and serotonin. Specific drugs associated with aggression include alcohol, anabolic steroids, cocaine, amphetamines, sedatives, opiates, and hallucinogens”
Another study done on 9,000 subjects from 2014 published in the National Library of Medicine entitled “Cocaine use and the likelihood of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality: data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Mortality Follow-up Study” found that cocaine use was highly correlated with increased mortality.
It’s a fact: The more cocaine you do, the more likely you are to die young. It’s sad, but it’s true. There’s also a strong risk of an overdose.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you must get help immediately.
What Are The Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction?
Treatment options for cocaine addiction include medical detox, inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), drug counselling, and support groups.
Cocaine use disorder is a treatable condition. If the addict receives the proper treatment in the right settings, they can quit cocaine for good and lead a happy, drug-free life. Over time, their brain will even return to its pre-addiction state, meaning they’ll feel just as good or even better than they did BEFORE they became addicted.
Let’s cover some treatment options in more detail:
Medical Detox
Medical detox is where you go to a hospital or medical facility for 24/7 supervision while recovering from CUD. It’s a safe way to start recovery from severe addiction, especially if the addict is in a poor state of mental and physical health (or dealing with withdrawal symptoms).
During detox, doctors and nurses keep an eye on the addict’s health to make sure they’re safe and comfortable while the drug leaves their system. They might administer meds like benzodiazepines or antidepressants to help with things like anxiety or exhaustion.
Detox can be tough at first, but by the end, most people feel more clear-headed, stable, and ready to move forward. It’s a solid first step to getting your life back on track.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a long-term approach to treating CUD that combines medication with therapy. This dual approach helps the addict reduce the negative physical and mental side effects of cocaine abuse, while still getting the counselling they need to make positive life changes.
It’s different from detox, which is a short-term solution for severe addiction that’s designed to get the drug out of the addict’s system. MAT is a bit less severe and focused on long-term sobriety.
Doctors may use medications like antidepressants or anticonvulsants to stabilize mood, reduce cravings, or address underlying mental health issues. This is combined with therapy to help individuals build coping skills and healthier habits.
We’ve helped countless Australians quit cocaine, and the vast majority of them use some combination of medication with therapy like cognitive behavioural or group therapy. Contact us today for your free medical evaluation, and we can explain your treatment options.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a treatment for cocaine addiction that helps by teaching addicts to recognize and change negative thought patterns that lead to drug use. This helps the addict build healthier habits and better coping strategies.
CBT is one of the most effective and widely-used treatments for addiction because it’s backed by years of research showing its success. It’s our most popular treatment for addiction here at our clinic in Sydney.
For example, an addict might learn to identify triggers like stress or social pressure and replace the urge to use cocaine with a healthier action, like exercising or reaching out for support. Over time, these changes make staying sober more manageable.
Group or Family Therapy
Group and family therapy is a treatment for cocaine addiction where the addict joins with other addicts and professional counsellors or their family members in order to discuss issues, identify triggers, and learn coping mechanisms. It also creates a safe space to share their story and listen to others without fear of judgment.
Ongoing Support Groups
The opposite of addiction is connection, and recovering addicts who join ongoing support groups have much lower rates of relapse than those who don’t.
We’ve seen it time and time again – cocaine addicts who join groups like Cocaine Anonymous or our aftercare support groups (that meet online) stay sober and help others stay sober. These groups not only help reduce cravings and keep you focused, but they give the addict a sense of purpose and belonging that they never felt in active addiction.
Seeking
Support
for
Loved One?
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
When you quit cocaine, you may deal with some uncomfortable physical and mental cocaine withdrawal symptoms for a few days.
The good news is that cocaine withdrawals do not come with the physical risks of other drugs such as heroin. You should be through the worst of it in just a few days’ time.
Some cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:
- Intense cravings for cocaine.
- Extreme fatigue or exhaustion.
- Depression, sadness, or feelings of hopelessness.
- Anxiety, restlessness, or irritability.
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly.
- Increased appetite and weight gain.
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or excessive sleeping.
- Vivid, unpleasant dreams or nightmares.
- Physical aches, pains, or discomfort.
- Slowed movements or lack of energy (psychomotor retardation).
These symptoms can vary in intensity and duration, depending on the severity of the addiction and how long the drug was used.
How Can The Cabin Sydney Help You Quit Cocaine For Good?
Cocaine addiction wreaks havoc on countless Australians. It wrecks homes, destroys lives, and hurts communities.
But you can break the negative cycle of addiction. Things CAN be normal again just like they were before addiction took hold. You just need to get help. Many of our patients kick the habit relatively quickly, and they’re surprised that they don’t even want to use anymore.
We’ve helped countless cocaine addicts put an end to their substance abuse issues, make full recoveries, and go on to live happy, healthy lives full of joy. If they can do it, you can do too.
We offer inpatient rehabilitation services at our centre in Sydney and outpatient rehabilitation online on your schedule. We even offer residential rehab services in Chiang Mai, Thailand for a fraction of the cost you’d pay Down Under.
You might not even have to leave home to get care and your government insurance may cover some or all of the costs. We can’t know until you contact us.
It’s time to end the cycle of insanity and start living a normal life. Contact us now for more information and your free intake evaluation.
ARE YOU READY TO QUIT COCAINE FOR GOOD?
Choose Recovery & Take Back Control of Your Life Today!