Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Use

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It is no exaggeration to note that the long-term effects of cocaine use can be devastating. Every time a person uses this drug, they put their health at risk. Continuing to use cocaine can result in potentially irreversible physical, psychological, and social damage.

How Does Cocaine Affect the Body?

Before we address the long-term effects of cocaine use, it can be helpful to review the immediate impact that this powerful stimulant can have on a person.

When someone uses cocaine, the drug interferes with how dopamine functions within the central nervous system (CNS). Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) that is associated with pleasure, learning, motivation, and reward.

In a fully functional CNS, nerve cells (neurons) will release dopamine into the synapses, or small gaps, that separate them from neighboring neurons. Once the dopamine has delivered its message, proteins called dopamine transporters will return it to the originating neuron, so that it can be reabsorbed and reused when needed.

When cocaine binds to the dopamine transporters, it prevents the reabsorption process from occurring. This leads to a buildup of dopamine in the synapses, which amplifies its message. The physical and psychological effects of this amplified message can include:

  • Burst of additional energy
  • Increased confidence and motivation
  • Improved mood
  • Talkativeness
  • Greater sensitivity to light and sound

These effects are usually intense but brief, and they are often followed by a physical and emotional crash. To maintain cocaine’s positive effects and delay the crash, people often feel compelled to use the drug over and over again.

How Do People Use Cocaine? (And Does This Influence the Effects of Cocaine?)

Individuals who use cocaine in powder form typically ingest the drug by snorting it, or inhaling it through their nose. They may also dissolve the powder into a solution and injected. When the drug is baked into small crystals or rocks (a version commonly referred to as “crack”) it is usually smoked.

Regardless of how a person uses cocaine, the way the drug interacts with the central nervous system is basically the same. The primary differences among the various forms of cocaine ingestion are how quickly the drug’s effects set in and how long they last:

  • When someone snorts cocaine, it can take a few minutes to feel the effects. Once they begin, they may last as long as half an hour.
  • Smoking cocaine can cause an almost instantaneous onset of effects, but they don’t usually last more than 10 minutes.
  • If you inject cocaine, the drug’s effects will usually kick in within a minute or two, then dissipate after about 15 minutes.

Using cocaine even once can be dangerous. Continuing to use the drug over an extended period can put people at risk for a variety of disruptive long-term effects, which we will discuss in the next section.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Use?

The long-term effects of cocaine use can be influenced by several factors, such as:

  • How long a person has been using cocaine
  • How much cocaine they usually use
  • How they typically ingest the drug
  • If they are also abusing other substances
  • If they have any medical or mental health concerns

Depending on these and other relevant factors, a person’s cocaine use can lead to a wide range of physical, psychological, and social problems.

Physical Effects

From a physical or medical perspective, the potential long-term effects of cocaine use include:

  • Perforated septum
  • Loss of sense of smell
  • Respiratory problems
  • High blood pressure
  • Structural damage to the heart
  • Abnormal heart rate
  • Gastrointestinal perforations
  • Bleeding in the brain
  • Increased risk of stroke
  • Loss of appetite
  • Malnutrition
  • Overdose
  • Death

Psychological Effects

In terms of psychological damage, the long-term effects of cocaine use can include:

  • Addiction
  • Irritability and agitation
  • Restlessness
  • Paranoia
  • Panic attacks
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Psychosis
  • Dramatic mood swings
  • Outbursts of anger and violence
  • Suicidal thoughts

Social Effects

A person whose body and mind have been harmed by long-term cocaine use may also be at risk for social setbacks such as:

  • Diminished performance at work or in school
  • Problems finding and keeping a job
  • Conflicts with friends and family members
  • Legal problems, including being arrested and jailed
  • Financial difficulties
  • Social withdrawal and isolation
  • Homelessness

The best way to reduce your risk of these and other negative outcomes is to quit using cocaine immediately. Unfortunately, if you have become addicted to cocaine, this may be extremely difficult to do on your own.

The good news is that cocaine addiction is a treatable condition. When you get the type of care that aligns with your unique needs, you can stop using cocaine, begin to heal from any damage that you have already incurred, and start building a healthier and more hopeful life in recovery.

Find Detox for Cocaine Addiction in Atlanta

If the distress of withdrawal has been preventing you from ending your cocaine use, Peachtree Detox is here to help.

When you choose our cocaine detox center in Atlanta, Georgia, you will be cared for by a team of highly skilled professionals. Depending on the nature and severity of your withdrawal symptoms, these dedicated caregivers can provide both medical and therapeutic support to safeguard your health and keep you as comfortable as possible.

Once you have successfully completed cocaine detox, we can help you determine which type of follow-on treatment will best prepare you for long-term success.

The day you enroll in treatment at Peachtree Detox, you take a significant step toward the healthier future that you deserve. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.