Many people who use cocaine like to ignore the health issues that come with the use of the drug. Others think that they will be done with the drug before it gets to that stage. The health implications of addiction to cocaine can be fatal. Moreover, the drug affects one’s social life and is more likely to break relationships and cause abdication of responsibilities. Before looking at some of the diseases and complications one can develop due to addiction to cocaine, the following are its signs and symptoms. Contact the Port Saint Lucie treatment center to get advice and guidance if you or someone you know has an addiction.
Signs and symptoms that one is abusing cocaine
Some indications can tell you that someone is using cocaine. Such signs are easy to spot on anyone. They include:
- Runny nose
- Excessive anxiety
- Overly talkative
- Restlessness
- Easily distracted
- Feelings of superiority
Also, the cocaine addiction symptoms can vary from physical to behavioral thereby, affecting the person’s everyday life. They include the following:
- Less sleep
- Increased need to have money
- Sexual dysfunction
- Anxiety
- Not interested in activities once loved
- Depression
- Weight loss
- Health complications caused by addiction to cocaine
Heart attack
Blood vessels become narrow with the use of cocaine. This forces the blood to flow at a higher pressure and at a faster rate. The effect this has is on the heart since it might not get sufficient oxygen for its operations. This oxygen deprivation leads to chest pains, also known as angina, which can cause a heart attack or a fatal stroke if it lasts long.
Sexual dysfunction
While cocaine is considered an aphrodisiac, prolonged use of the drug can lead to the impairment of an individual’s sexual performance. Men find it difficult to maintain an erection and ejaculate and this may end up affecting their marriages. Women addicts may have a hard time reaching an orgasm, rendering sex less pleasurable than it was before.
Damage to the heart muscles
The heart is made up of muscles that contract and expand when pumping blood. Prolonged use of cocaine has been found to affect these muscles and may result in permanent damage. This effect is painless in many instances, and the individual may not realize the danger they are in until they have a stroke or a heart attack.
Mental issues
Since cocaine works in the brain, it interferes with the proper functioning of the brain cells by stimulating the production of chemicals. In the long run, the individual is likely to develop psychological disorders that maybe disruptive to their day-to-day life including their social life. Among the complications include insomnia, depression, anxiety, and irritability among others. These are the signs and symptoms of anyone using the drug.
Respiratory problems
Another type of disorders that the use of cocaine can have on an individual is the respiratory issues. Among them include respiratory seizures that can be fatal if not attended to immediately. Also, the use of the drug has been found to be the cause of death of cells in the nose. This may lead to the creation of a hole between the two nostrils, a condition known as perforation.
