Signs of a Cocaine Overdose: Symptoms and Treatment

cocaine overdose

Cocaine, one of the world’s most notorious drugs,  is a potent and dangerous stimulant. It can create euphoric feelings, heightened sensitivity and increased alertness, but it is also extremely addictive. While cocaine use has negative short- and long-term effects, overdose is the most immediate risk. What causes a cocaine overdose, and how do you recognize and respond to this issue?

Why Do People Overdose on Cocaine?

Drug overdoses occur when someone uses more of a substance than their body can handle, which causes various physical and psychological reactions. Even small amounts of cocaine can be toxic, but according to the University of Arizona, toxicity might not be dosage-specific. Some users have experienced a cocaine overdose after taking a few hundred milligrams, while others can ingest several grams of cocaine without overdosing. Cocaine’s potency can vary widely from one dose to another, since dealers often blend the drug with additives or fillers to increase their profits.

Signs of a Cocaine Overdose

Even a casual or first-time cocaine user can experience health problems after taking this drug, especially when combining it with other substances like alcohol or opioids. Cocaine’s long-term effects can also be severe. As a substance use disorder progresses, increased tolerance and changes in brain chemistry mean someone will need to consume larger quantities of cocaine to achieve the same effects.

Cocaine use causes symptoms including elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, chest pains, tremors and a rise in body temperature. Psychological side effects include panic attacks, paranoia, delirium and anxiety.

Since a cocaine overdose can lead to potentially fatal complications like heart attacks, strokes and seizures, it’s crucial to recognize these warning signs of a cocaine overdose and know how to respond. Time is of the essence. If you suspect a cocaine overdose, call 911 immediately, since this issue requires a trained medical response. If the person is having a seizure, remove any objects that might injure them due to their uncontrolled body movements.

Qualified Cocaine Abuse Treatment

If someone you care about has survived a cocaine overdose, persuading her to seek professional treatment can save her life. A comprehensive, accredited substance abuse program can provide a wide range of opportunities such as behavioral counseling, experiential therapy, 12-step programming, life skills training and mental health treatment in a recovery-focused setting.

Learning how to cope with circumstances, emotions, situations or people that could trigger a relapse is also an essential part of the journey toward holistic health and wellness. Inpatient addiction treatment provides an immersive environment that allows women with an addiction to cocaine or other drugs to fully focus on their well-being, happiness and newfound purpose. Recovering in a single-gender environment can also remove stressors and distractions. To learn more about qualified women’s-only substance abuse treatment in Prescott, Arizona, contact us at Canyon Crossing today.

Benefits of Residential AddictionTreatment

You cannot heal in the same environment that made you sick. This is the philosophy behind our residential addiction treatment program. At Canyon Crossing, women learn to live life on life’s terms while staying in a safe, substance-free setting. This gives our clients the space and peace needed for lasting recovery.
Our residential program combines high-accountability sober living arrangements with first-rate clinical care. While staying in our homes, clients participate in process groups, one-on-one counseling sessions, and hands-on learning opportunities. They also receive ongoing training; in these meetings, life skills like financial management and conflict resolution are imparted. All of this happens with 24/7 encouragement, guidance, and supervision from our clinical team.
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