Cocaine is often portrayed to be glamorous in movies like Scarface and Blow. Some would even argue that it looks fun. Cocaine is a white powder that might seem harmless during experimentation, but this drug can quickly evolve into a devastating addiction that leads to tremendous personal, financial, professional, and even legal consequences. By knowing how to spot the signs and symptoms of cocaine abuse, you will be able to better identify if you’re personally struggling with a cocaine addiction or if one of your loved ones are. 

The Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Abuse

If you’re using cocaine frequently and are unsure if you’re addicted, below are some symptoms to watch out for:

• You feel like no amount of cocaine will ever be enough
• You think about cocaine when you aren’t doing it
• You don’t see a point to socializing with friends if cocaine isn’t involved
• You find yourself lying to people if they approach you about your cocaine use
• Whenever you aren’t doing cocaine you feel ‘off’ or sick

If you suspect someone you know is abusing cocaine, there are a few signs and symptoms to look out for: 

• Frequent mydriasis – the medical term for dilated pupils
• They seem to be up at all hours of the night
• Weight loss
• Consistent runny nose
• Paranoia

Long-term cocaine abuse can lead to psychosis, causing the addict to hear or see things that aren’t actually present. Drug abuse as a whole can lead to irritability, depression, mood swings, financial problems, and legal issues. If you’re currently struggling with cocaine addiction, your substance abuse will impact the people around you. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms above, please don’t wait to reach out to Laguna View Detox for help. 

Long-Term Health Problems from Cocaine Abuse

The longer you use cocaine, the higher your tolerance will become. This means every time you use cocaine, you’ll have to increase your dose. You will be constantly chasing a high that you can no longer achieve. High blood pressure, which can damage the body’s blood vessels and organs over time, is one of the major side effects cocaine can have on your long-term health.

Because cocaine is most commonly ingested through the nose, you will eventually damage your nasal septum with frequent cocaine use. A tell-tale sign of a damaged nasal passage is frequent nose bleeds. Long-term cocaine abuse can also lead to dangerous heart arrhythmias, which could lead to heart attacks and strokes, which can have fatal consequences. 

Getting Help for Cocaine Abuse

If you or someone you know needs help with a cocaine addiction, Laguna View Detox is here for you. Our detoxification and residential inpatient program have helped many addicts start their journey to recovery, and we know we can help you too. When you reach out to us for help, we’ll collect information about your addiction and also take some time to get to know you. 

Then, during your intake, we’ll work with you to put together a truly individualized treatment plan. Our facility treats six clients at a time to ensure everyone receives the attention they deserve throughout their stay. Before you’re discharged from our facility, we put together a comprehensive aftercare plan to help you maintain your sobriety. The last thing we want is for all your hard work during treatment to go to waste. 

Let Us Help You

At Laguna View Detox, we are a luxury detox & drug rehab program located in the gorgeous area of Laguna Beach, CA. We’re confident we can provide you with the tools you need to stop using cocaine or any other substance. Call us today to get more information regarding our addiction treatment program. You deserve to live a happy, drug and alcohol-free life!