Can You Overdose on Cocaine?

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that can be highly addictive due to the euphoric effects it produces, which leads to individuals using the drug frequently to chase that high. Frequent cocaine abuse can result in cocaine use disorder, also known as a cocaine addiction, where individuals have developed a dependence upon the substance and experience symptoms of cocaine withdrawal when the drug begins to exit their bloodstream. 

There are different forms of cocaine, including cocaine powder and crack cocaine. Cocaine powder is typically snorted or rubbed on the gums,with effects beginning 1 to 3 minutes after the ingestion and lasting around 15 to 30 minutes. With crack, individuals will either inject or smoke cocaine to produce the effects within seconds, and this high will typically last for around 10 to 20 minutes after the initial cocaine use.

Side effects for frequent cocaine users can include depression and anxiety, mood swings, intense euphoria, increased energy and alertness, an increase in risky behaviors, restlessness, lying about drug use, financial problems, withdrawing from family and friends, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, damage to nasal passages, dilated pupils, constriction of blood vessels, loss of sense of smell, difficulty swallowing, chronic runny nose, irritability, delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia.

This form of substance abuse can also cause symptoms of cocaine withdrawal as the drug is exiting the bloodstream. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can include both physical symptoms and mental symptoms, such as exhaustion and fatigue, difficulty concentrating, depression and anxiety, cravings for the substance, body aches and pains, tremors and shakiness, chills, and suicidal thoughts.

Short-term effects of using cocaine include increased energy and alertness and a euphoric high that is caused by increased dopamine levels. These feelings can cause the user to ingest more of the substance to chase that high, and once they have developed a tolerance, they must take more of the drug over time to feel the same effects. This dangerous cycle can lead to cocaine overdose in individuals struggling with substance abuse.

Signs of a cocaine overdose include extreme anxiety or agitation, high blood pressure, sweating, an increase in body temperature, and hallucinations. Severe complications of this overdose may result in irregular heart rhythms, difficulty breathing, seizures, heart attack, and stroke. Call 911 immediately if you believe someone may be suffering from a cocaine overdose.

If you are struggling with cocaine abuse and are suffering from withdrawal symptoms when the drug is exiting your bloodstream, then you should consider receiving addiction treatment. At Fusion Recovery, we offer programs such as medical detox and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in addition to our counseling and behavioral therapies. While ending your cocaine dependency can be a struggle, it’s not one you have to go through alone.

To begin treatment at Fusion Recovery, contact our admissions counselors by sending a message on our website or calling our phone number to get started. We believe that everybody deserves high-quality and compassionate care, as well as an effective treatment plan to help overcome substance use disorder.