Addiction Drug Use Cocaine Signs of Cocaine Use and Intoxication By Sanjana Gupta Sanjana Gupta Sanjana is a health writer and editor. Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 19, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. He is the medical director at Alcohol Recovery Medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Igor Ustynskyy / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is Cocaine? Signs of Cocaine Use Signs of Cocaine Intoxication What Is Cocaine? Cocaine Cocaine is a stimulant drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant which is native to South America. According to a 2022 study, close to 25 million people around the world use cocaine. The powdered form of cocaine (also known as coke, coca, blow, snow, or flake), is snorted through the nose, rubbed into the gums, or injected via a needle; whereas the rock form (known as crack), is smoked through a cigarette or pipe. Cocaine is an addictive substance that triggers the brain to release a chemical called dopamine, which produces a euphoric high. This high can be addictive, causing people to consume more and more of the substance in order to achieve it. Recreational use of cocaine is illegal because it is dangerous and can lead to severe health consequences, including stroke, heart attack, and overdose. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 100,000 people in the United States died in 2021 as a result of drug overdose. This article lists the physical, behavioral, and psychological signs of cocaine use, as well as the symptoms of cocaine intoxication. It’s important to be aware of these signs, symptoms, and health effects of cocaine use, in order to break the habit and get treatment for it, if needed. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Signs of Cocaine Use Listed below are some of the physical, behavioral, and psychological signs of cocaine use. Physical Signs These are some of the physical signs of cocaine use: Bloodshot eyes Dilated pupils Rapid heart rate Rapid or rambling speech Nausea or vomiting Muscle tremors or twitches Raised body temperature Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch Changes in appetite Insomnia or unusual sleep patterns Altered physical appearance Neglected personal hygiene Psychological Signs These are some of the psychological signs of cocaine use: Excitement, euphoria and excessive confidence while using the drug Increased energy and alertness while using the drug Depression after the high wears off Fear, anxiety, or paranoia Unexplained changes in attitude and personality Irritability or restlessness Sudden mood swings or angry outbursts Impaired judgment Behavioral Signs These are some of the behavioral signs of cocaine use: Neglected responsibilities Poor attendance and performance at work or school Changes in routine, hobbies, acquaintances, and hangout spots Risky or unsafe behavior Secretive or suspicious behavior Bizarre or unpredictable behavior Aggressive or violent behavior Trouble with the authorities for activities like driving under the influence or disorderly conduct Long-Term Effects In the long-run, cocaine use can lead to health issues such as: Malnourishment and weight loss, since people who use cocaine generally have a reduced appetite Movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, which are caused by dopamine irregularities in the brain Impaired cognitive functioning, which can cause difficulties with attention, memory, decision making, impulse inhibition, and motor tasks Psychosis, which is a mental condition characterized by hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that aren’t real) and delusions (believing things that aren’t real) Pregnancy complications, such as premature delivery, low birth weight at delivery, and issues with concentration and self-regulation in the child Some of the long-term effects of cocaine can vary depending on the way it is consumed: Snorting cocaine can cause nosebleeds, lack of smell, runny nose, nasal damage, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing Smoking crack cocaine can cause asthma, cough, breathing difficulties, lung damage, and increased risk of respiratory infections like pneumonia Injecting cocaine can cause scarring in the arms or collapsed veins, and increased risk of hepatitis C, HIV, skin infections, soft tissue injuries, and bloodborne diseases Consuming cocaine orally can cause severe bowel issues Signs of Cocaine Intoxication Cocaine intoxication is a state where someone is not just high on cocaine but also develops other physical symptoms that make them ill. Cocaine intoxication can occur as a result of: Consuming too much cocaine Taking an overly concentrated form of cocaine Doing cocaine in extremely hot weather, as dehydration can exacerbate the side effects of the drug Mixing cocaine with alcohol Mixing cocaine with other drugs, such as heroin Consuming an adulterated form of cocaine, which means the cocaine has been mixed with other substances, contaminants, or drugs These are some of the signs and symptoms of cocaine intoxication: Euphoria and excitement Jumbled speech, sometimes about bad things that might happen Extreme confusion and anxiety Restlessness and agitation Muscle tremors, often in the face and fingers Dilated pupils that don’t contract even when a light is shined into the eyes Rapid or irregular heartbeat Increased blood pressure Pallor or bluish-colored skin Lightheadedness Nausea and vomiting Fever Sweating Lack of awareness of surroundings Loss of bladder control Rapid or restricted breathing Severe cocaine intoxication can cause permanent damage that leads to: Seizures, stroke, or paralysis Severe mental health disorders like anxiety or psychosis Reduced cognitive ability and mental functioning Reduced heart function and other heart problems Kidney failure, which may require dialysis Muscular atrophy, which may require amputation Death According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), cocaine overdose occurs when a person consumes enough of the drug to cause serious adverse effects, life-threatening symptoms, or even death. NIDA also notes that a cocaine overdose can be intentional or unintentional, and can occur even on the first occasion of use, or at any time thereafter. A Word From Verywell Cocaine use affects the brain and body in several ways beyond just the high it provides. If you are using cocaine, or if you suspect a loved one is, it can be helpful to recognize the signs, symptoms, and health effects in order to stop using the substance and seek treatment, if required. What to Know About Cocaine Use 11 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Drake LR, Scott PJH. Dark classics in chemical neuroscience: Cocaine. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2018;9(10):2358-2372. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00117 Cenci D, Carbone MG, Callegari C, Maremmani I. Psychomotor symptoms in chronic cocaine users: an interpretative model. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1897. doi:10.3390/ijerph19031897 National Institute on Drug Abuse. Cocaine drug facts. National Institute on Drug Abuse. What are the long-term effects of cocaine use? National Library of Medicine. Cocaine. Medline Plus. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. top 100,000 annually. Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Tennessee. Warning signs of drug abuse. Indiana Department of Health. Signs and symptoms of drug misuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Commonly used drugs. National Library of Medicine. Cocaine intoxication. Medline Plus. Mount Sinai. Cocaine intoxication. By Sanjana Gupta Sanjana is a health writer and editor. Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness. 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