Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that is widespread all over the world. Some experts have calculated that nearly 25 million people in the United States alone have used it at least once in their lifetime. It is usually snorted, but can also be injected or smoked; in any case, each of these methods involves specific risks and adverse effects. Learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug abuse can help you understand if your friend or loved one has this problem and determine a way to intervene.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Physical Signs
Step 1. Check if the pupils are dilated
The use of cocaine causes this phenomenon because it has stimulating effects.
- Be careful if the pupils (the black circles inside the irises) are large even in well-lit environments.
- Dilated pupils can also be accompanied (but not always) by red, bloodshot eyes.
Step 2. Check for signs of nasal problems
Since many drug addicts snort cocaine, nosebleeds are among the most obvious signs; in particular pay attention to:
- Rhinorrhea;
- Epistaxis;
- Damage to the inside of the nostrils
- Difficulty swallowing
- Reduction of the sense of smell;
- Traces of white powder around the nostrils.
Step 3. Check for tachycardia
Since this drug is a stimulant, one of the most common physical symptoms is accelerated heart rate, which in some cases can also lead to arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), hypertension and even cardiac death.
- The regular heart rhythm of an adult person should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
- However, keep in mind that frequency also depends on other non-drug related factors, such as physical activity, air temperature, body position, emotional state, and even some medications; for this reason, tachycardia alone does not necessarily have to be associated with drug use.
Step 4. Recognize the signs of crack use
Another way to consume the drug is to smoke it; in this case, crack is usually used, cocaine in solid and crystallized form that is obtained by mixing the drug with water and sodium bicarbonate.
Among the signs of consumption of this substance you can notice burns on fingers and lips caused by lighting and using a specific tool called a crack pipe
Step 5. Look for signs of intravenous cocaine use
Some addicts inject it using a syringe; this technique allows for immediate effects, but has several risks, including endocarditis (inflammation of the heart), cardiovascular disease, abscesses / infections and an increased risk of overdose. Intravenous consumption also greatly increases the likelihood of contagion of blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV.
The characteristic signs of this type of consumption are the puncture marks left by the needle, mainly present on the arms, and possible skin infections or allergic reactions due to the additives with which the cocaine is "cut"
Step 6. Beware of oral ingestion
This is another method of consuming cocaine, which leaves fewer external marks than smoking, snorting or injection, but which is known to cause severe gangrene in the abdomen and gastrointestinal tract due to reduced flow. blood and gastrointestinal drug sensitivity. In this case, the most visible signs are those typical of the stimulant, including:
- Agitation;
- Unusual excitement;
- Hyperactivity;
- Loss of appetite
- Paranoia;
- Hallucinations.
Part 2 of 3: Behavioral Symptoms
Step 1. Look for clues in conversations
Cocaine and other stimulant drugs often lead to overly energetic behaviors. Among the most common you can note:
- Excessive talkativeness;
- Quick talk;
- Tendency to jump from topic to topic during conversations.
Step 2. Check if the person engages in risky behaviors
Often this drug transmits to users a sense of omnipotence, which leads them to act in a dangerous way - for example by engaging in risky sexual activities - and tend to be violent (for example fights, domestic violence, homicides and suicide).
- Dangerous sexual activities can lead to pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and / or infections.
- Some very dangerous behaviors can end in legal problems, serious injury or even death.
Step 3. Watch for other behavioral changes
Regular users of this drug come to devote the greatest amount of their time and energy to obtaining it. They can also:
- Escape from responsibilities and obligations;
- Going away often, going to the bathroom or leaving the room to return in a different mood.
Step 4. Look for a noticeable change in mood
Since cocaine is a stimulant, it easily leads to a sudden change in mood. This means that the person may become irritable or be subject to a sudden rush of euphoria, indifference, or go from one extreme to another.
Step 5. Be careful if you isolate yourself from social life
This is a typical trait of drug addicts, which can manifest itself either by withdrawing into a solitary life or by only associating with other drug addicts.
While moving away from a group of friends can be caused by a variety of factors, such as anxiety or depression, it can also be an indication of drug use
Step 6. Notice a decline in interest
Many individuals who use any type of drug experience a reduction in the pleasure of engaging in certain activities or pursuing the interests they previously enjoyed, although this is a problem that mainly affects cocaine users. This is due to the fact that this particular drug damages the circuits in the brain responsible for the sense of pleasure.
If you are experiencing signs of depression and an apparent loss of satisfaction with everyday activities, you may consider them symptoms of prolonged use of cocaine
Part 3 of 3: Testing of Use
Step 1. Look for straws and tubes
Based on the method of administration, you may find a wide variety of accessories that are used to consume this drug. Since the most common technique is sniffing it, among the most used tools you might notice:
- Outer tube of the biro;
- Straws;
- Banknotes that have been rolled up or that have been visibly rolled up;
- Razor blades, credit cards or various badges, often with traces of dust on the edges.
Step 2. Locate the accessories for using the crack
Smoking cocaine usually involves the use of a pipe, which can be made of glass or made of aluminum foil. In particular, pay attention to:
- Small glass pipes;
- Tinfoil;
- Lighters;
- Empty plastic bags, including drug bags.
Step 3. Recognize the obvious signs of intravenous cocaine use
Although this is a less common method than snorting or smoking, it is still a common intake technique. Search for:
- Syringes;
- Tourniquets, belts and shoelaces included;
- Spoons, which may have burn marks on the bottom
- Lighters.
Advice
It can be difficult to talk to an addict about their drug problem; If you are concerned that a friend or loved one is using cocaine, see a doctor to find a safe way to help
Warnings
- None of the signs or symptoms described so far can be considered, on their own, as solid proof. A person may exhibit suspicious behavior, but that doesn't mean they are using drugs.
- Cocaine can cause addiction, aortic dissection (tear of the aorta), high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack or even death.
