At Pacific Sands, our goal is to help people understand the effects of taking what happens after taking cocaine once side effects and safety any substance even one time. Today, we are going to discuss one of these potential side effects. Each program provides personalized therapy, medical support, and relapse prevention strategies. Seeking professional help at a Behavioral Health Treatment Center can provide the structure and support needed for long-term recovery.
Can you have a heart attack after taking cocaine?
Immediately contact emergency services if you suspect a cocaine overdose. Cocaine addiction can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. With the right support, treatment, and tools, lasting recovery is possible. At Lionheart Behavioral Health, we provide personalized addiction treatment tailored to each individual’s unique needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) are commonly used in cocaine rehab programs.
The Importance of Rehab and Recovery Centers
Taking cocaine can cause elevated blood pressure, angina, damage to heart tissue, heart infections, and arrhythmia. All these factors can contribute to a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or aneurysm. The good news is that most people who stop using drugs and alcohol regain energy, sometimes in as little as a few weeks. The “crash” is the intense exhaustion that people sometimes feel after using drugs, particularly those that are stimulating, such as cocaine, meth, and even high doses of caffeine. Understanding the rebound effect explains why certain drugs, particularly those that have a quick and intense effect on the nervous system, are very addictive.
The 6 Stages of Mental Health Recovery
Dr. Wakim enjoys golf, traveling and time spent with his two dogs, Lulu and Rayna. Infants born to mothers who use cocaine during pregnancy suffer from growth restrictions, cognitive deficits, and physical deformities. These children are also at higher risk for neurological problems, developmental delays, and long-term health complications. The development of ventricular hypertrophy due to cocaine use stems from the strain placed on the heart by the drug’s effects on blood pressure and vascular resistance.
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- This, in turn, increases the risk of atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries), heart attacks, and strokes.
- When these levels slowly decrease, the stimulating effects wear off, triggering low mood.
- However, the specific details of coverage may vary depending on the insurance plan and the individual’s specific situation.
- In more severe cases, cocaine overdose causes pulmonary edema, where fluid accumulates in the lungs, impairing oxygen exchange and leading to life-threatening respiratory distress.
What are the different types of personality disorders?
There are quite a few known interactions between cocaine and other substances, including over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications and other drugs. People use coke for its intense psychological effects, like euphoria and boosted confidence. But it can also produce some not-so-pleasant psychological and physical effects. List of physical signs that may indicate cocaine addiction, such as weight loss, frequent nosebleeds, dilated pupils, and tremors. Addiction to cocaine can happen very quickly, even after using cocaine for just a short time.
- While some people attempt home detox, it’s not recommended—especially for heavy or long-term users.
- You may need to stay in a rehabilitation center (also known as rehab) for intensive therapy and support.
- When snorted or gummed, coke needs to get through mucus, skin, and other tissues.
- The threshold for cocaine overdose varies based on factors like body weight, tolerance, frequency of use, and general health.
For example, large doses of cocaine may cause unpredictable or violent behavior. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 fatal overdoses involved cocaine in 2019. A 2021 animal study on mice suggests that even a single, small dose may lead to structural changes and tissue damage in the brain. Support groups such as 12-step self-help programs can be a great way to get encouragement, information, and resources that can help you on your journey to recovery. Distraction techniques, such as showering, mild exercise, and watching television, may take your mind off the symptoms, but they will not cure the hangover.
This means they may find it difficult to manage their use of cocaine and may experience addiction in the most severe cases of SUD. Using cocaine can cause changes to the brain, such as in the reward system, resulting in a buildup of dopamine and making it difficult for someone to stop using the substance. If you’re worried about your cocaine use, you can contact us to arrange a free addiction assessment and discuss possible treatment options for drug addiction. At Priory, we offer world-class treatment and detoxification for cocaine addiction at a network of UK hospitals and wellbeing centres. Aftercare is a huge part of staying on track in your recovery from cocaine addiction.
What can you expect from cocaine detox?
No matter where you are on your path, we’re ready to help you build a healthier, more fulfilling life—one step at a time. Chronic cocaine use leads to severe physical, mental, and emotional health consequences. Over time, addiction rewires the brain, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to function without the drug.
Because cocaine is a stimulant, it can have a variety of short- and long-term effects on both the body and the mind. The drug’sshort-term effectsoften start immediately after use and subside within a half-hour. Smoking or injecting cocaine leads to a fast, strong high that lasts for up to ten minutes. Conversely, snorting cocaine leads to a slower, weaker high that lasts for up to 30 minutes. Supporting someone addicted to cocaine involves encouraging them to seek evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Health Conditions
You should always avoid mixing cocaine with other drugs and alcohol, as this can be extremely dangerous and increase the risk of an overdose. It’s also important to note that co-occurring mental health conditions can worsen your addiction, affect the treatment outcomes and increase the risk of relapse. In this blog post, we will explore these risks, as well as the potential causes of cocaine abuse and addiction, and how to seek support for cocaine addiction. Even one use can cause serious health risks, especially if combined with alcohol or other substances.