In today’s new era Cocaine has become the drug of choice and can be viewed as a hip, glamorous drug. Although some use it for recreation, it is an overwhelming problem whether snorted, eaten, injected or smoked, and the consequences are devastating. The effects of cocaine use can have long-term physical and mental effects, and also can be potentially deadly. While some prefer to inject cocaine, the vast majority of users like to smoke it or snort it, and the characteristics usually exhibit similar behaviors. A true addict’s main focus is how to score their next fix. They are not interested in Rehab due to denial, or lack of health insurance or money. Be it everyday users or binge users, they are unaware how their behavior impacts their family, friends, and loved ones. Many may not be aware of a true addict’s addiction, and usually are left wondering and trying to identify the problem. Signs of cocaine use go unrecognized because it is significantly hard to pinpoint the source of the problem since most users are good at pretending to live a sober life. They are very manipulative and are quick to blame others for their actions.
Here are some ways to recognize cocaine addiction.
1. Mood Swings: An addict experiences a rush when high on cocaine, and then suddenly the high gives way to powerful low, characterized by erratic behavior, mood swings, irritability and depression.
2. Anxiety: Chronic abuse of cocaine can cause paranoia and anxiety, and at times users may present violent outburst.
3. Erectile Dysfunction: Cocaine users often report heightened libido, but cocaine abuse also causes erectile dysfunction and impotence.
4. Teeth Grinding: Grinding teeth is a common consequence of smoking cocaine.
5. Weight loss: Cocaine acts as an appetite suppressant, to such an extent that some addicts rarely eat and ultimately suffer from malnutrition.
6. Excessive Spending Habits: Most addicts spend at least $150-$300 per day on cocaine. Some withdraw money excessively until their bank accounts is completely depleted.
7. Vanishing/Disappearing: Most addicts are unstable and have difficulty living in normal environments. They disappear for weeks at a time, cut off all communication and then resurface completely broke.
8. Frequenting Drug Areas: Most addicts usually frequent neighborhoods and establishments where drugs are plentiful and accessible.
9. Hot and cold flashes: Cocaine abuse compromises our ability to regulate body temperature and causes hot flashes most times.
10. Sortness of Breath: Users often feel shortness of breath because cocaine raises your heart rate due to lung damage from the smoke.
11. Isomnia: Cocaine addiction can lead to sleeping problems including insomnia or oversleeping.
12. Runny Nose: People who snort cocaine often have an uncontrollably runny nose. In addition they often suffer nosebleeds or lose their sense of smell.
13. Needle tracks: Cocaine addicts who use drugs intravenously have visible needle pricks called “tracks” on their forearms, legs, etc..anywhere there is a vein. Most often they wear long-sleeved shirts even on hot days in effort to hide evidence of cocaine addiction.
Some common side effects of cocaine use are: constricted blood vessels which can cause seizures, rhinitis, (inflammation of the sinus membranes), heart attack and stroke. This is a common side-effect and can drastically and immediately elevate a user’s heart rate and have an enormous burden on the cardiovascular system. A recovered addict is more at risk to face a heart attack seven times greater than the average person. In addition, cocaine can cause respiratory failure, kidney damage and failure, serious infection or contraction of HIV/AIDS from contaminated needles.
Now you are aware of some of the effects of cocaine. These observable characteristics do not necessarily indicate addiction to cocaine, but where several of the observations can be made, cocaine addiction is a distinct possibility. It’s important to understand the signs of drug abuse, and once recognized the first step is too identify the problem and encourage the addict to seek help.
http://www.howtodothings.com/health-and-fitness/a4687-how-to-recognize-cocaine-addiction.html
