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Search HIPusa.com Powered by Behavioral Health Options HIP Behavioral Health Services Mental Health Center Closings Mental Health Network Providers Common Psychiatric Disorders Information for members regarding Timothy's Law	Substance-Related Disorders Cocaine Important Facts Symptoms of Intoxication Detoxification/Withdrawal Symptoms Treatment Prenatal Effects Negative Consequences Warning Signs That Cocaine is a Problem For Parents: What to Look for For Parents: What to Listen for Important Facts Cocaine is a short-acting drug that creates rapid and powerful effects on the central nervous system. Cocaine may cause strong temporary feelings of elation, energy and limitless power. Cocaine has a very short half-life that creates a need for frequent dosing to maintain a high. It is common for dependence to develop after using cocaine for only a brief period of time. Cocaine is a stimulant but with chronic use it often creates depressant effects such as sadness, slowed heart rate, decreased blood pressure and decreased coordination. Cocaine can be smoked (crack), snorted or taken intravenously. Crack differs from other forms of cocaine because it is easily vaporized and inhaled. The effects have an extremely rapid onset. Cocaine is sometimes mixed with heroin yielding a drug combination known as a 'speedball." Approximately 12 percent of the population has used cocaine at least once. [ back to top ] Symptoms of Intoxication Anger/violence/agitation Anxiety/tension Changes in blood pressure Changes in heart rate and heart function Changes in mood and personality Confusion Difficulty breathing Enlarged pupils Euphoria (temporary feelings of elation, energy and limitless power) Fatigue Feeling jumpy or restlessness Grandiosity (acting in a pompous or boastful manner) Hallucinations and "coke bugs" – sensation that imaginary insects are crawling over the skin Headaches Hypervigilance (suspiciously watchful or alert) Impaired judgement which may lead to inappropriate or bizarre behavior (e.g., feeling no pain, feeling indestructible or poor decision making) Muscle weakness Nausea or vomiting Rambling speech Repeating the same actions over and over Sadness/withdrawal Seizures Severe intoxication may lead to coma Sweating or chills Talkativeness Tinnitus (ringing sound in the ears) Weight loss [ back to top ] Detoxification/Withdrawal Symptoms Depressed mood Fatigue Increased appetite Intensely sluggish Poor motor coordination or feeling jumpy and restless Sleep disturbance Strong drug cravings Thoughts of suicide Vivid and unpleasant dreams [ back to top ] Treatment Treatment may involve a variety of therapies including: Narcotics Anonymous or other program Individual therapy Family therapy Group therapy Vocational counseling Inpatient detoxification may be required if medical complications or possibility of self-harm exist [ back to top ] Prenatal Effects If cocaine is taken during pregnancy, the following may occur: The mother may have irregular blood flow to the placenta or premature labor and delivery. The baby may have low birth weight, birth defects, small head, genital and urinary tract deformities, heart defects, brain seizures and abnormal motor development. Babies born to mothers using cocaine tend to be irritable, difficult to soothe and overly reactive to environmental stimuli. School-aged children who were exposed to cocaine before birth tend to have learning disabilities and concentration, memory and social problems. [ back to top ] Negative Consequences Depression, panic attacks, social withdrawal and generalized anxiety. Financial problems. Neglecting important responsibilities, losing touch with reality, loss of interest in friends, family, sports or hobbies. Nose bleeds, sinusitis or perforated nasal septum if cocaine is “snorted” through nasal passages. Once addicted, may not be able to function sexually. Paranoia, delusions and hallucinations. Respiratory problems (bronchitis, pneumonia or inflammation of the respiratory track) if cocaine is smoked. Risk of coma. Risk of tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases if cocaine is injected. Seizures. Since cocaine use, in any of its forms, is incredibly addictive, people frequently engage in dangerous and illegal behaviors in order to fund their habit (e.g., stealing, dealing drugs or prostitution). Sudden heart attack or stroke even for first-time users. Those who use cocaine tend to be more promiscuous, which can lead to sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted or dangerous pregnancies. Traumatic injuries resulting from risky behaviors (drownings, car crashes, falls, burns, suicide, violent crimes). [ back to top ] Warning Signs That Cocaine is a Problem Altered perception of reality (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, and suspicious thoughts). Chasing the "first high" with continued and increased drug use. Continued use of cocaine despite significant problems related to use e.g., financial problems or neglecting responsibilities. Craving cocaine. Cutting back or stopping important social, occupational or recreational activities because of cocaine use. Finding it increasingly difficult to resist using cocaine when it is available. Minimizing use of cocaine consumption, including frequency and intensity. Spending a great deal of time in activities necessary to obtain cocaine. Unsuccessful attempts to control or cut down cocaine use. [ back to top ] For Parents: What to Look for Burned spoons Candles Changes in appetite and/or sleeping patterns Changes in mood and behaviors Hallucinations, delusions, or paranoid remarks Headaches Needle marks One very long fingernail Promiscuous or dangerous behavior Rambling speech Razor blades Redness of mucus membrane on nose. Small rock-like pieces, sometimes in glass vials or plastic packages. Small screens Spending time with "the wrong crowd" Stealing money or selling possessions White crystalline powder in a small plastic bag or in tin foil. [ back to top ] For Parents: What to Listen for Base, baseball Basuco Belushi Big bloke Blow C, C-dust, C-game Candy cane or candycaine Coke Crack Flake Freeze Goofball Junk Mojo Nose candy Pearl Peruvian flake Pimp's drug Rock Sandwich Scottie, beam me up Scottie Smoking gun Snow, snowball Speedball (heroin and cocaine) Toot White girl Yeyo [ back to top ]