Cocaine: Side Effects and Long-term Effects

by Beth McHugh | More from this Blogger

03 Dec 2007 04:31 PM

This is our second article on cocaine and looks at the common short-term side effects and long-term effects of regular usage. The effect of cocaine on the body is determined by a number of factors including how much is ingested, the purity of the supply, your weight and height, your general health, your mood at the time of ingesting the drug, your past experiences with cocaine and whether or not other drugs such as alcohol, are taken simultaneously.

The immediate effects of cocaine ingestion are a feeling of confidence and wellbeing, a sensation of being excited, a propensity to take risks, loss of appetite, a feeling of increased alertness and energy, aggression and a desire to have sex.

The body will also react to this stimulant drug by displaying an increase in heart rate and respiration, a rise in body temperature, dilated pupils, and rapid body movements. Larger doses result in headaches (from increased blood pressure) , dizziness, restlessness, increased aggression, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in sex, chest pain, heart attack, fitting, and experiencing a psychotic episode where the person hears or sees things that aren't really there, and nervousness, agitation and panic.

The long-term effects of cocaine usage include dependence on the drug for normal everyday functioning, poor interpersonal relationships due to aggression, work, money and housing problems. Other physical effects include nosebleeds, collapse of the nasal septum due to repeated snorting of a corrosive substance, increased likelihood of infection with hepatitis C, B or HIV, blood poisoning, and skin abscesses. Users may also pick at their skin to such an extent that skin grafts are required.

Smoking crack cocaine can cause breathing difficulties, a long-term cough, chest pain and lung damage.

Overdose of cocaine results in one or more of the following: fast, irregular or weak heartbeat, breathing problems, heart failure, rupture of blood vessels in the brain and death.

Next blog, tolerance and dependence on cocaine and withdrawal effects

Contact Beth McHugh for further assistance regarding this issue.

Related Articles:

Cocaine: Effects and Uses

Amphetamines: What Do Thay Do?

Diagnostic Criteria for Amphetamine or Related Substances

Stimulant Drugs: How Much Do You Know?

Street Drugs and Mental Health

Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Dependence

Is It Really Substance Abuse?

The link between IQ, binge drinking, and hangovers

Childhood behavioral problems and binge drinking

When Usage Becomes Abusage: Recreational Drugs

When Substance Abuse becomes Substance Dependence

Learn more about Beth McHugh

Beth McHugh began her career as a geologist and worked both in industry and as a university researcher.

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timada (31) 12 May 2008 01:54 AM

My friend has sadly become addicted to cocaine claiming it takes away his depression and is a drug treatment ( http://www.natural-treatment-guide.com/ ) that works for him. It hasn’t seemed to destroy his life yet and he insists he is careful but can’t help but worry what he is doing to his health.

timada (31) 12 May 2008 01:54 AM

My friend has sadly become addicted to cocaine claiming it takes away his depression and is a drug treatment ( http://www.natural-treatment-guide.com/ ) that works for him. It hasn’t seemed to destroy his life yet and he insists he is careful but can’t help but worry what he is doing to his health.

Beth McHugh (13186) 12 May 2008 03:28 AM

There are better treatments for depression than cocaine. He has unwittingly given himself two problems to sort out, I hope he can get the help he needs and come through this. I can appreciate that you are worried, I would be worried if he were my friend too.

thecomish (6) 03 Jul 2008 07:16 AM

Many of our friends have found that testing you family and employees will result in a lower risk of drug abuse. In addition the benefits include less heartbreak in the home and reduced absense in the workplace. testing will allow you to know right away if you have a problem

These instant tests can be purchased on the internet and the cost is normally less than $5 to $10 a test. It goes without saying that by testing you have inspected what you expect from your family and employees.

Beth McHugh (13186) 03 Jul 2008 04:30 PM

Drug testing is now quite common in the workplace, it's a pity it's come to this but it's important for public safety. Not sure about routinely testing my family for drugs. That could backfire badly under the wrong circumstances.