Seizures, chest pains, loss of consciousness, high body temperatures, difficulty in breathing – If you see someone who uses cocaine show these symptoms, call 911 ASAP!

When you overdose on cocaine, you are on the verge of losing your life. While a normal cocaine dose causes a euphoric high characterized by increased focus and motivation, cocaine overdose can lead to life-threatening complications, including:

• Heart attacks
• Stroke
• Psychosis
• Tremors

Unfortunately, most people confuse cocaine overdose with cocaine high, leading to deaths. Luckily, we are here to ensure that you or someone you know will not fall victim to this.

In this comprehensive guide, we will highlight everything you need to know about cocaine use, the symptoms of a cocaine overdose, the risks associated with cocaine use, and how to prevent cocaine addiction. Stick around to learn more!

Everything You Need to Know About Cocaine Addiction, Overdose, and Prevention

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First things first – let’s learn more about the origin of this infamous drug, the number of people who use cocaine, and the risks associated.

The Dangers of Cocaine Overdose

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant typically synthesized from the coca plant – a plant commonly grown in South America. It comes as a white powder that can be consumed by snorting or injecting through dissolving the powder in water.

According to statistics, cocaine is one of the most commonly abused drugs; it is estimated that around 22 million people around the globe use cocaine, with a high percentage of this number being Americans. Approximately 4.8 million people in the U.S.

Most people are dependent on cocaine powder due to its ability to bring feelings of euphoria and increased alertness to the user. But as much as this feels enticing, cocaine is highly addictive and is likely to put people at risk of overdose. Why, you may ask?

Unlike other drugs, which produce long-lasting effects, cocaine brings a euphoric high that only lasts for about 20-30 minutes. Due to this, individuals end up taking the drug many times or mixing it with other drugs to extend the feeling, which eventually leads to an overdose.

When an overdose occurs, your body experiences increased heart rates, blood pressure, and temperature – all of which are associated with the risk of stroke, heart attacks, or death.

While most people assume that using crack cocaine instead of powder cocaine will save them from an overdose, the mortality risks are much more significant. In fact, it remains the second biggest cause of drug-related deaths in the U.K.

Identifying the Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Overdose

Cocaine overdosing is very dangerous. In 2021, over 107,622 people died due to an overdose of cocaine and crack cocaine. That said, it is essential to watch out for the common signs of cocaine overdose and get the right help before things get out of hand. Below, we have highlighted the signs and symptoms of a person suffering from the cocaine overdose:

Physical Symptoms

• Chest pains
• high blood pressure
• Seizures
• Strokes
• Tremors
• Headaches
• Hyperthermia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle rigidity

Psychological Symptoms

• Agitation
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Irritability and aggressiveness

Risk Factors for Cocaine Overdose

If you take cocaine in high amounts or mix it with other drugs, there is a high possibility you will likely overdose. Below, we have highlighted the high risks of an overdose, suggesting why addicts must consider drug detox ASAP. In case you are battling with cocaine addiction, enrolling in a rehab center can help prevent these risks.

Polydrug Use

Polydrug use is mixing cocaine with other substances. If this is what you lean on to get that long-lasting euphoric high, you are at a greater risk of overdosing.

Let’s get technical here for a minute! The mere effect of cocaine alone is decisive. Mixing it with other drugs, including alcohol or opioids, automatically doubles the effects.

If you mix cocaine with another stimulant, it will intensify the high; the reverse will happen if you mix cocaine with a depressant like alcohol. It will lessen the intensity of the high.

Nevertheless, the effects of combining cocaine with other substances are both dangerous and unpredictable, posing long-term and short-term health risks to the user.

Potency and Purity of Cocaine

Frankly, cocaine is a distinctive drug that proves to be very hard to tell its purity just by sight alone. If you have been struggling with cocaine abuse for a very long time, there is a higher possibility you have consumed this powerful drug mixed with other toxic substances to increase its potency.

Most of the cocaine sold in the drug market is usually laced with fentanyl. A single dose of cocaine mixed with fentanyl is likely to lead to overdose. Unfortunately, most cocaine users may not be aware of this when purchasing the drug. This explains why there is such an increasing number of cocaine-related deaths in America. The only guarantee you have to stop overdosing is to avoid using cocaine completely.

Frequency and Method of Cocaine Consumption

While cocaine overdose occurs when you mix cocaine with other drugs, the number of times you take it and the method of consumption are also a contributing factor.

You see, the regular use of cocaine often leads to the development of tolerance. Over time, your body demands a higher amount to achieve the desired effects of cocaine. This escalation in dosage increases the risks of experiencing a cocaine overdose.

The same applies to binge users who take repeated doses in a short time frame. They are more likely to experience acute cocaine toxicity since repeated use prevents the body from metabolizing the drug properly.

Here is how each method of consumption leads to a higher risk of overdose.

• Snorting:  Snorting cocaine leads to slower absorption compared to other methods. Due to this, most people underestimate the effects of a normal dose, taking high amounts.
• Smoking:  Smoking crack cocaine allows the drug to reach the brain almost instantly, resulting in a rapid and intense high. Users who take multiple hits of this are also at a risk of overdosing.
• Injecting: Injecting cocaine introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, which makes it difficult to control the dose and onset of effects.

Health Status

If you are struggling with cocaine addiction and, on top of that, you have several health-related issues, you are more vulnerable to experiencing the dangerous effects of cocaine.

Health-related factors like heart disease, high blood pressure, psychosis, and other mental health-related issues can exacerbate the immediate effects of cocaine, including increased heart rate, making an overdose more likely and potentially more severe.

Age and Body Composition

Yes, your age and body composition can place you at risk of overdosing. Here is how: Older adults usually have a slower metabolism, reduced liver and kidney function, and increased prevalence of chronic conditions, all of which can lead to prolonged cocaine system and heightened toxicity. It’s not surprising to find that most cocaine-related deaths occur in older people.

Body composition is indiscriminate of age. Individuals with higher body fat, whether young or old, are more likely to store cocaine longer, leading to delayed but prolonged effects. Unfortunately, such individuals may underestimate the dose and take higher amounts, leading to an overdose.

Immediate Steps to Take in Case of Cocaine Overdose

If you see someone experiencing a cocaine overdose, based on the signs and symptoms we have provided, here is what you should do to avoid death:

Call Emergency Services

If you notice the first few signs of a cocaine overdose in someone, call 911 immediately. Most deaths involving cocaine usually occur because the victim didn’t get immediate medical attention. Watch out for;

• Loss of consciousness
• Difficulty in breathing
• High body temperatures
• increased sweating

Monitor Vital Signs

In some scenarios, it may take a while before a trained professional arrives. When this is the case, you have the time to monitor the vital signs. Are they breathing? What’s their body temperature? How about the heart rate?

If you are wondering how to monitor breathing and heart rate, check for regular deep breaths and count their respiration per minute. When it comes to heart rate, simply measure the pulse on the wrist or neck. Now, it is important to note any irregularities, as they may be helpful to trained professionals.

Gather Information to Give to Emergency Responders

It’s important to share details about the victim’s level of drug abuse. Did they ingest several grams of cocaine? Was it a mixture of cocaine and alcohol? How many times did they use the drug? Providing such information about their level of usage can go a long way in preventing cocaine overdose deaths.

Lay Them on the Side

One of the effects of an overdose involves difficulty in breathing and vomiting. Now, if the victim is not lying in the right posture, they are vulnerable to choking due to lack of air or passage for the vomit. That said, it is always essential to keep the victim lying on the side. This posture ensures they have an open airway to prevent choking. Instruct the person to be placed in the recovery position to ensure they keep an open airway and to avoid choking.

Use Cold Compresses

High amounts of cocaine may also cause sweating and high body temperatures. If the medical professional is yet to arrive, use the time to manage some of the physical symptoms. For example, you can use a cold compress to help normalize the body temperature. While it may seem meaningless at the time, doing this can help minimize the effects of a cocaine overdose as well as increase survival chances.

Avoid Inducing Vomiting

As mentioned above, an overdose of cocaine causes nausea and vomiting. Should the victim feel nauseated, at no point should they force themselves to throw up. It has to be involuntary! Inducing vomiting can be dangerous, leading to choking.

Avoid Stimulants

Cocaine, by itself, is a very powerful stimulant drug that speeds up brain processing, increasing focus and motivation. Combining cocaine with other stimulants like caffeine can exacerbate both the physical and psychological symptoms, which can eventually lead to death.

How Much Cocaine Does It Take to Overdose

Frankly, there is no right amount for safe consumption. Even first-time users can experience an overdose or, even worse, sudden death. However, certain factors can significantly increase the chances of an overdose, from the purity of the cocaine, method of use, tolerance, and age to concurrent substance use.

If you or your loved one is struggling with drug abuse, it is essential to invest in cocaine addiction treatment to help manage the addiction.

Why Recognizing Symptoms Early Matters

To help those struggling with cocaine use, it is essential to recognize the cocaine overdose symptoms and signs mentioned above.

Taking cocaine intravenously or long-term cocaine use can lead to dangerous side effects. If these symptoms are not identified earlier, the victim could die. Now, an overdose can manifest physiologically or physically, and in worst-case scenarios lead to death. It is essential to watch out for all the signs, including changes in behavior to ensure you/your loved one can prevent unfortunate events and seek medical assistance on time.

Preventing Cocaine Overdose

You have probably heard this time and again, but the safest way to prevent cocaine overdose is to stop using cocaine. However, if you must use cocaine, here are a few tips to avoid the risk of an overdose:

• Never use cocaine while alone
• Avoid sharing cocaine supplements like needles and straws
• Always use clean and sterile needles
• Do not mix cocaine with alcohol or other substances of abuse
• Offer strategies for prevention, including avoiding drug use
• Never take large amounts of cocaine within a short timeframe

Detoxing Treatment after a Cocaine Overdose

Whether you have been using cocaine for the past few weeks or five years, it’s never too late to take a cocaine detox and enroll in a cocaine addiction treatment plan.

So, how does the process begin? Medical detox typically involves getting the drug out of your system. The withdrawal symptoms are without doubt severe, but with regular medical supervision, individuals can overcome them.

After the drug detox phase is a treatment plan to help treat the root causes of addiction. This stage involves a combination of medication and evidence-based therapies.

Lastly, the final part of recovery technically involves helping individuals acquire a balanced addiction recovery process. During this step, individuals can enroll in an outpatient program or join support groups like Cocaine Anonymous to help overcome the challenges of life after rehab and prevent relapse.

If you are ready to start your recovery journey, Harmony Junction Recovery is the best place to be. We specialize in providing professional medical detox, outpatient, and inpatient treatment plans.

Need to Beat Cocaine Addiction? We Are Here to Help!

If you or a loved one is struggling with cocaine addiction, know that help is available. We are a dedicated facility offering comprehensive treatment plans tailored to your needs.

Remember, recovery is possible, and taking the first step toward help is a courageous and life-changing decision. Reach out to Harmony Junction Recovery at 1-855-906-4088 for safe drug detox assistance.