Warning Signs of Cocaine Overdose

In 2020, there were approximately 21.5 million people worldwide that used cocaine at least once per year, which represents 0.4 % of the global population that is 15-64 years old. 

Cocaine is a type of stimulant that is made from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca). It is classified as a Schedule II drug, which means that the drug has a high potential for misuse. However, a doctor can administer the drug for medical use, including local anaesthesia for some surgeries for the eyes, ears, and throat. 

There are two types of chemical cocaine, which are the base or the water-insoluble cocaine base and the water-soluble hydrochloride salt. The drug is typically taken intranasally, orally, intravenously, or by inhalation. 

In this blog, we will talk about several aspects, such as possible signs and symptoms, the risks of overdose, and what treatment options are available. 

Why Do People Use Cocaine?

It may be difficult to understand the real reason why people end up finding comfort in cocaine use to the point that the amount of cocaine ingested becomes a precedent for adverse effects. Usually, like any other substance, people engage with it because they want to use it as a gateway to escape reality through the effects of the substance. 

However, there is always a deeper reason for the urge to use cocaine. The struggle with mental health conditions that people are experiencing all around the world commonly ends in people trying to self-medicate or avoid the harsh reality caused by the condition they have. People could also resort to mixing cocaine with other substances to counteract the effects of an opposing drug, such as opioids. 

Another significant factor is peer pressure or the wonders of experimentation, especially when you are in a group setting. People tend to easily cave in when they are in a group in order not to feel left out or curious based on how they are seeing the effects on other people. 

Can People Who Take Cocaine Control How Much Cocaine They Consume?

Consistent intake of cocaine can progress into addiction. The brain will slowly become dependent on the presence of cocaine in the system. Once you consistently ingest cocaine, you will experience craving it to continue your day-to-day life. Therefore, it will be difficult to control the amount being consumed. 

What Can Go Wrong When Cocaine Becomes Addictive?

Once cocaine has become addictive for the person taking the drug, it can progress into a broad range of harmful physical, psychological, and social consequences. It is generally associated with consistent energy, talkativeness, and euphoria that progress into paranoia and cognitive decline, as well as difficulty in reducing the amount being taken.

What is a Cocaine Overdose?

A cocaine overdose may develop once a person consumes a lethal amount of cocaine through a single dose or consistently smaller doses that will cause toxic effects in the body, which could affect the body beyond its capability to cope. Cocaine is known to be a powerful stimulant that directly affects the central nervous system by increasing the level of dopamine in the brain. Once the body cannot handle the overstimulation caused by the drug, it can result in serious physiological responses.

Symptoms Of a Cocaine Overdose

People who are at risk of an overdose experience different symptoms based on several factors. However, here are some examples of common symptoms that you can look out for:

• Irregular heart rhythm
• Heart attacks
• Seizures
• Stroke
• Difficulty breathing
• High blood pressure
• Hallucinations
• Extreme anxiety 
• Agitation

Dangers Of a Cocaine Overdose

Some of the dangers of a cocaine overdose are:

• Severe psychological issues such as hallucinations, paranoia, and features of acute psychotic episodes.
• Bizarre and potentially violent behaviour that can harm both the cocaine users and the people around them. 
• Vasospasm or infarction because of gastrointestinal tract injury.
• Cardiovascular instances such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrhythmia that could be fatal.
• Seizures and the aftermath of strokes.
• Death from cardiac arrests or neurological events.

Who is at Risk of Overdosing on Cocaine?

Anyone who uses cocaine is generally already at risk of progressing into cocaine overdose. Several factors can result in a possibly fatal overdose, including:

• Polysubstance use or combining cocaine with other drugs can potentially cause overdose. 
• Frequency and amount of use play a significant factor because someone who consumes a large amount or small, consistent amounts is at risk due to the potential buildup or development of tolerance, which will push the person to need more to achieve the desired effect. 
• Tolerance and physical condition are other factors because people with pre-existing cardiovascular problems, respiratory conditions, or neurological diseases are more affected because cocaine poses a significant strain to both the heart and the brain. It can worsen a lot of symptoms. People who have a low tolerance can also be overwhelmed with a normal dose, which can eventually turn into an overdose.
• People who take cocaine intravenously are also at risk of progressing into an overdose.  

How Much Cocaine Does It Take to Overdose?

The normal dosage of cocaine is around 30-70 mg however, as the people who use the drug develop a level of tolerance, the dosage normally increases by 1g. The minimal amount of cocaine that could be deadly is around 1.2 g. On the other hand, when you factor in the hypersensitivity of the body, people experience deadly overdoses with as little as 30mg. There are some instances where people have developed exceptionally high tolerance levels to the point where they are consuming at least 5g daily, but this could be fatal for others. 

Action To Take on Recognising Signs of a Cocaine Overdose

Witnessing an overdose may be overwhelming, but it is important to remain calm and take the necessary steps to keep the person safe. It is important to call emergency services and an immediate family member, partner, or spouse of the person experiencing the overdose. 

It is important not to force them to eat or drink anything in an attempt to sober them up. Another crucial factor is not to let them sleep. Encourage the person to fight to stay awake. Check the heart rate and monitor the breathing as well. At some point, you would have to perform CPR until the help is not available yet. If the person is unconscious, it is best to position them safely and avoid putting them on their back. 

Can Cocaine Overdose Symptoms Be Prevented?

The only way to avoid an overdose is to avoid using cocaine, but that is not always possible. However, there are some steps that you can consider to possibly prevent an overdose, such as: 

• Do not take the drug when you are alone
• Do not share supplies with anyone else. 
• Using clean needles and supplies is a must.
• Avoid using cocaine mixed with other substances. Taking alcohol with cocaine increases the risk of an overdose. 
• Do not start bingeing cocaine. 
• Use fentanyl test strips. 

How Is Cocaine Overdose Treated?

The medical intervention associated with cocaine overdose is directed at treating or managing the principal symptoms of the overdose. Usually, in a hospital setting, the patient will be given a sedative such as benzodiazepines to lower the blood pressure and the heart rate. These medications also lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke. 

What Happens to Someone Who Has Recovered from Overdose?

Immediate treatment or intervention is required upon arrival at a hospital to stabilise the condition of the patient. However, the aftermath of an overdose can cause a wide range of physical, psychological, and emotional effects. The person who experienced the overdose of cocaine may go through physical withdrawal symptoms, psychological trauma, and a long and tedious path to recovery. Overcoming an overdose means facing both the underlying addiction and the acute consequences. It often requires addiction treatment and all the love and support they can get.

Treatment Options Available for Cocaine Addiction

Generally, like any other substance use disorder, the first step is detoxification. The body needs to recover from all of the cocaine toxicity to prepare itself for the next steps of the treatment process. There are addiction treatment options available for cocaine addiction, such as residential or inpatient treatment, partial hospitalisation, intensive outpatient treatment, and transitional or sober living programs. 

Additional support, such as therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy, contingency management, and motivational interviewing, is beneficial alongside support groups for the patient to feel safe to express the things that they have been going through in a safe and supportive environment.

We Are Here to Help If You Seek Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

The effects of an overdose can be detrimental in almost every aspect of life. In a sense, a lot of times, an overdose can be unintentional because a lot of people who are struggling with cocaine addiction or any other substance use disorder at this point are also suffering from mental health concerns. 

Sometimes, we cannot entirely blame everything on the substance itself. But everybody deserves a chance to experience life away from the shackles of addiction and live a life with awareness of how to take care of their mental health. These are some of the things that we strive for here at Kembali. Contact us today to learn more about our programme.