Signs Someone is on Coke
If you’re worried about somebody and their drug habits, you might want to understand the signs someone is on coke, this will help you better understand what to look for especially if you’re concerned that they might be hiding their addiction to cocaine.
Find what to look out for here and more information on the drug itself, it can be hard to empathise when you don’t understand the sheer weight of cocaine addiction. So, read here to educate yourself some more on the addiction itself and what you should be looking out for when it comes to people using.
What Is Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine is a Class A drug that is extremely addictive. Many people wrongly assume that you can’t become addicted after one-time use, but this behaviour can become a misuse pattern, leading to harmful cocaine addiction.
It’s important to note that recreational drug use can most certainly lead to addiction development, particularly when it comes to cocaine use. This is because any effects of cocaine are typically short-lived, thus, as individuals seek to recreate the high from cocaine, the chase is on to find the initial high they once experienced; the issue is, it is impossible to reach.
This results in the user taking more cocaine to try to fulfil this goal, but it only results in greater use of cocaine and then, addiction.
This is known as tolerance, as your body and brain become used to cocaine and you need to take more in order to feel high.
Just like any other addiction, cocaine addiction can have a severe impact on various aspects of someone’s life, including the most important aspects such as health, relationships, career and finances.
Cocaine also seriously affects the brain as it increases the natural production of dopamine, the body’s feel-good chemical. When someone is addicted, their brain will be depleted of dopamine and, in time, will require cocaine to produce normal levels.
If you’re struggling to see the physical signs of someone on coke there and then, cocaine addiction can present itself in other, more detrimental, ways.
Cocaine has the potential to cause serious side effects on the brain and body, including damage to the brain’s structure, abnormal heart rhythms, inflammation of the heart, breathing problems, damage to the digestive system, and lower immunity.
So, if you’re already sceptical of somebody and their drug use, seeing these symptoms may be among the signs someone is on coke.
Common Signs of a Coke Addict
It’s important to remember that the signs of drug addiction can vary from person to person. Nonetheless, these are the ways how to tell if someone has taken drugs, in this instance, cocaine in particular.
#1 Changes In Appearance
Cocaine addiction can result in someone prioritising their drug use over anything, and this includes taking priority over their appearance.
Cocaine use can cause huge impact on appearance, it can cause:
- Acne breakouts
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Sores and scars
- Nosebleeds
Regular drug use can also impact someone’s sleeping schedule, which can affect appearances, and when someone is under the influence. They may also be more likely to fall over, leading to cuts and bruises and just generally looking uneasy on their feet.
A change in appearance is probably one of the biggest physical signs of someone on coke, it is something that is very difficult to hide and will only worsen with persistent cocaine use no matter how it is taken.
#2 Rapid Weight Loss
Another common symptom of cocaine addiction is weight loss, and this is because cocaine can suppress hunger and also cause several digestive concerns, like diarrhoea for example.
As the addiction spirals, it’s not uncommon for individuals to prioritise their drug use over eating too, so the loss of appetite is also something to be looking out for. Ultimately, this relates to the aforementioned trait of prioritising cocaine use over anything, even including needs like food intake and lifestyle commitments.
#3 Personality Changes
Cocaine is a potent drug that changes the way the brain functions. This can have a direct impact on someone’s mood, and individuals may become aggressive, deceitful and secretive.
Some of the most common signs someone is on coke in terms of personality and behavioural changes include, but aren’t limited to:
- Increased Energy and Euphoria: Cocaine, no matter the way it is taken causes a “high” that includes feelings of euphoria, increased energy, talkativeness, and overconfidence. People on cocaine might seem unusually animated, or over excitable.
- Decreased Need for Sleep and Food: As we mentioned, cocaine addiction can take priority over basic lifestyle needs, which is why often, cocaine users feel a decreased need for sleep and food, which can lead to unhealthy patterns and eventual physical health issues.
- Impulsive Behaviour: Cocaine can decrease judgement and increase impulsivity, leading to risky behaviour; seeing this pattern of behaviour is one of the telling signs of a coke addict.
- Mood Swings: After the effects of cocaine wear off, people often experience a “crash” that includes fatigue, depression, and anxiety. This cycle can lead to severe mood swings – especially if there is no more cocaine to reignite the high.
#4 Reckless Behaviour
A change in personality and mood can lead to more reckless behaviour, not to mention that when someone is under the influence, they may behave in ways that they wouldn’t usually do.
This includes lying to friends and family, fighting, or finding themselves in dangerous situations.
The reason why cocaine induces reckless behaviour relates to the aforementioned effects on the brain’s reward system. Cocaine increases levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, in the brain circuits. This surge in intense feelings of pleasure and euphoria disrupts the brain’s ability to perceive risk and reward accurately.
Over time, the brain becomes conditioned to seek the intense pleasure of the cocaine high, even in the face of serious negative consequences. This can lead to persistent and reckless behaviour as the individual prioritises drug use over their safety and well-being and that of others too.
#5 Anxiety
Anxiety can be both one of the signs someone is on coke, as well as a sign that they are addicted; that being said, these are the most common triggers for anxiety when it comes to cocaine abuse.
- Heightened Awareness and Paranoia: Cocaine is a powerful stimulant. It heightens users’ senses and makes them more alert. In some cases, this heightened state can escalate to feelings of paranoia or hypervigilance, which can contribute to the feeling and development of anxiety.
- Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Cocaine raises heart rate and blood pressure, this goes for when it is being used in the moment and even after use which can cause physical discomfort and feelings of panic or dread in some users, manifesting as anxiety.
- Sleep Disruption: Regular cocaine use can lead to sleep disruptions or insomnia, this lack of sleep can exacerbate feelings of anxiety.
- Long-Term Brain Changes: As you now know, with chronic use, cocaine can alter brain chemistry and structure Over time, these changes can lead to mood disorders, including anxiety.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Anxiety can also be a symptom of cocaine withdrawal, or any kind of substance withdrawal for that matter. After cessation or reduction in prolonged cocaine use, withdrawal symptoms can occur, including agitation, restlessness, and anxiety.
Physical Signs of Someone on Coke
As well as the psychological side effects associated with cocaine use and addiction, there are several physical symptoms to be aware of. What’s more, if left untreated, these can become very serious. The most common include:
- Increased heart rate
- Dilated pupils
- Restlessness
- Malnutrition
- Nosebleeds
- High body temperature and blood pressure
- Excessive sweating
- Bursts of energy
- Loss of appetite
- Liver and kidney damage
- Insomnia
Cocaine addiction can present itself in several ways, so it is important to take notice of both the physical and psychological symptoms.
How To Help Someone With Cocaine Addiction
If you’re worried that someone you love suffers from a cocaine use disorder, you must get them cocaine addiction treatment sooner rather than later.
The consequences of cocaine addiction can be life-threatening, so if you or someone you care for is presenting the aforementioned symptoms, contact the team at Asana Lodge.
We are experts in cocaine addiction help and can get you the support and treatment, and we can also help you navigate any essential conversations you need with friends and family and help you weigh up your options.
Addiction can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be this way forever, you can get your life back on track with a team like Asana Lodge by calling us today on 01908 489 421