The Short and Long Term Effects Of Cocaine On Your Health

Cocaine is an illicit substance in the UK – but it is commonly used and abused all around the country. Around 5.1% of 16 to 24-year-olds in the UK take or have taken cocaine.

Despite the prevalence of cocaine use, it can have devastating effects on your body and mind. From the immediate side effects of cocaine to the long-term implications on your physical and mental health, cocaine abuse can pose serious risks.

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.

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine, commonly referred to as coke, is a powerful central nervous system stimulant that comes from the leaves of the coca plant.

In its pure form, cocaine appears as a fine white powder, which can be snorted, injected, or smoked as crack cocaine. It enters the bloodstream quickly – cocaine users may feel the effects within minutes.

In the UK, cocaine is a Class A drug. This means that it is illegal to take, carry or distribute this drug. However, if you abuse cocaine, it’s not just legal consequences you could face – it could cost you your life.

The Causes and Risk Factors For Cocaine Addiction

Let’s start by saying that addiction, whether it be cocaine, alcohol or gambling, has no single cause. Instead, it’s a combination of the following factors that can lead to addiction:

• Genetic
• Environmental
• Psychological factors

Genetic predisposition, trauma, stress, and co-occurring mental health disorders can all contribute to the development of addiction. Likewise, social influences (for example, peer pressure and cultural norms) can all lead to people starting taking cocaine and continuing cocaine use.

The Short-Term Effects of Cocaine

Cocaine is known for its immediate effects. Most people feel the effects of cocaine within 5 to 30 minutes, and these effects can last for around 40 minutes. Let’s explore some of these effects:

Immediate Euphoria and Energy Boost

One of the most immediate effects of cocaine is the euphoria and energy boost. When you take cocaine, it quickly crosses the blood-brain barrier. This leads to a huge surge in dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.

This ultimately leads to the intense feelings of pleasure, increased energy levels and heightened alertness. While this may feel good in the short term, the effects don’t last long – and you may quickly begin to feel the opposite.

Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

Cocaine affects your cardiovascular system, raising your heart rate and blood pressure. This can cause immediate strain on your heart – potentially leading to:

• Chest pain
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Heart attacks

These effects are much more likely if you have pre-existing heart conditions.

Constricted Blood Vessels

Cocaine can also narrow your blood vessels throughout your body. This can impact circulation, ultimately reducing the supply of oxygen to your vital organs. This lack of oxygen can lead to tissue damage, ischemia, and in severe cases, organ failure.

Paranoia and Agitation

As well as its stimulant effects, cocaine can also leave you feeling paranoid, agitated and hostile. After taking cocaine, you may notice that you have increased anxiety – you may begin feeling restless. You may also exhibit erratic behaviour and impaired judgement – which means you may be more likely to do things that you wouldn’t do whilst sober.

The Long-Term Effects of Cocaine

Now we’ve established the more immediate effects of cocaine, let’s explore how cocaine can damage your health in the long term.

Cardiovascular Complications

Cocaine damages your heart in the long term as well as the short term. As you consume cocaine over time, it can lead to high blood pressure and increase the chance of heart attack, stroke and hypertension.

It can also narrow your arteries and restrict blood flow to your vital organs. Ultimately, cocaine abuse can be deadly.

Respiratory Dysfunction

Smoking crack cocaine exposes your lungs to a range of toxic chemicals. This can increase the risk of:

• Respiratory infections
• Chronic bronchitis
• Pulmonary edema

The more you inhale cocaine smoke, the more your lungs get damaged. Over time, this can lead to irreversible lung damage and worsen any pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Neurological Impairment

Cocaine affects how your brain functions over time. Its neurotoxic effects can affect neuronal communication, and ultimately impair your cognitive function.

This means that the more you take cocaine over time, you run the risk of:

• Memory loss
• Mood changes
• Attention deficit

This can worsen the cycle of dependence and psychological distress. You may experience these negative effects and continue to take cocaine for temporary relief. The good news is that you can break this cycle – we are here for you at The Online Rehab.

Nasal Septum Perforation

Snorting cocaine can destroy your septum. This is the thin wall in the middle of your nose that separates the two nasal passages. The continuous irritation that cocaine causes can wear your septum away, resulting in total septal perforation.

It can also lead to nasal congestion and chronic nosebleeds. If you don’t stop taking cocaine and seek the support you need, the only resolution may be surgery.

Psychiatric Disorders

Cocaine abuse is strongly associated with a range of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis. This means the more you abuse cocaine, the higher the risk of developing mental health issues or worsening existing mental health disorders.

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.

Can You Mix Cocaine With Other Drugs or Alcohol?

In short – no – you can not mix cocaine with other drugs and alcohol. You should always avoid mixing cocaine with other drugs and alcohol, as this can be extremely dangerous and increase the risk of an overdose.

Note that cocaine interacts with central nervous system depressants, such as:

• Opioids
• Benzodiazepines

This means that mixing cocaine with these drugs can increase the risk of coma and respiratory depression. Alcohol can also increase the toxicity associated with cocaine, which can be life-threatening.

What to Expect From Recovery for Cocaine Addiction

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to cocaine addiction recovery – but working with an addiction specialist can determine the best approach for you.

Likewise, there is no ‘magical cure’ for cocaine addiction – it requires hard work, comprehensive support, therapy, and lifestyle changes.

The key stages of cocaine addiction treatment involve:

• Detoxification
• Therapy (e.g medication-assisted therapy, psychotherapy, or group therapy)
• Ongoing support (e.g support groups and counselling sessions)

Begin Your Recovery With The Online Rehab

We’re here to help you overcome your cocaine addiction for good. We bring to you a convenient and accessible platform, where you can access evidence-based treatment with the click of a button.

With The Online Rehab, you can recover from addiction from the comfort of your own home – this flexibility is ideal if you lead a busy life.

After all, residential treatment isn’t for everyone and can be tough to incorporate into your routine. And what better way to recover from addiction than the environment in which you became addicted in the first place?

Allow our team of professionals, including therapists and addiction specialists, to give you the lasting treatment you desire. We’ll begin the process by creating a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs, preferences and circumstances.

To get started on your cocaine recovery today, simply fill out an online consultation.