On the other hand, anxiety and cocaine use frequently co-occur, and symptoms cocaine overdose: symptoms and prevention of anxiety may present themselves in between uses, during an overdose, or during withdrawal from the substance. Therefore, it is imperative to help them seek the treatment they need to avoid serious complications and even death. Treatment options for cocaine overdose include medically supervised detoxification, mental health services, and 12-step programs. Your personalized treatment plan will typically depend on the length and severity of drug use, its effects on you, and the level of care that you require. Despite the increase in drug overdose deaths among adolescents in recent years, their use of drugs and alcohol has slightly declined (Figure 3).

• Antipsychotics like haloperidol may also be used along with benzodiazepines for the treatment of extreme anxiety and agitation.
• These variations might alter the intensity of drug effects or increase the likelihood of severe outcomes.
• Cocaine intoxication occurs when a person consumes too much cocaine, either in a single instance or over time, leading to toxic levels in the body.
• While people generally consider 1.2 grams a lethal dose of cocaine, other users have suffered from fatal overdoses after consuming as little as 30 milligrams.

Health Conditions

Cocaine toxicity refers to adverse events that occur in the setting of cocaine use. These events, which can occur in combination or isolation, include hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, dysrhythmia, ischemia, intracranial hemorrhage, agitation, psychosis, and seizures. While crack cocaine can be addictive and dangerous for anyone, gender may influence patterns of use and overdose risk. Biological, social, and cultural elements all play roles in shaping men’s and women’s experiences with the drug. Recent federal efforts, including proposed bipartisan legislation, aim to strengthen youth substance use prevention programs in schools. Further, the Biden-Harris administration’s Safer Communities Act facilitated expansions of behavioral health services in schools through Medicaid resources.

Sweating and high temperature

Lastly, the bursts of energy and talkativeness caused by cocaine use make it a popular drug of choice for parties. Cocaine is often used in social settings because of its sought-after effects on people who want to feel more confident and alert in social situations, which makes it one of the leading causes of cocaine addiction. The bottom line is that the likelihood of a cocaine overdose depends on different unknown factors, even when one has taken the same amount they have always consumed in the past. Considering the high unpredictability and addictive potential of cocaine, the best way to avoid the risk of an overdose is still to refrain from using the substance.

• While both forms of cocaine are dangerous, crack is generally considered more addictive and poses an even greater risk of overdose due to its rapid and intense effects.
• That’s because fentanyl is a hundred times stronger than morphine, so incredibly powerful that a small dose can be deadly.
• The evolving nature of cocaine and its derivatives continues to pose significant public health challenges, complicating efforts to provide effective treatment and intervention.
• This symptom is often a result of the overstimulation of the central nervous system.
• The risks are even greater when cocaine is mixed with other substances.
• Cocaine significantly increases myocardial oxygen requirements, heart rate, and cardiac output.

Alcohol Abuse & Addiction

This can lead to dangerously high blood pressure levels, increasing the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular complications. The risk is especially high in individuals with pre-existing hypertension or those who use cocaine frequently or in large amounts. Overdosing from cocaine can cause one’s body temperature to rise to dangerous levels. Also known in medical terms as hyperthermia, this symptom is often accompanied by excessive sweating and may result in stroke or even death.

Can You Overdose on Coke? Signs, Risks, and Prevention

They act on the central nervous system to relieve pain but carry a high risk of addiction. If you feel that you use cocaine excessively, struggle to control your cocaine use, or experience withdrawal and cravings if you cut back or stop, it could be a sign of cocaine addiction. Treatment programs are tailored to the needs of the individual, but they typically combine traditional therapies like peer support groups with evidence-based behavioral therapies. The two leading therapies for stimulant use disorders are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management.

Overdoses can damage vital organs, such as the heart and brain, and can be fatal without immediate medical attention. A crack cocaine overdose can occur at even low doses and in first-time users. Furthermore, cocaine is highly addictive and chronic cocaine use has tremendous negative consequences on the physical and mental health of the user. Given the dangers of both acute and chronic crack cocaine use, abstinence from cocaine use is recommended. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects 50-80% of individuals using cocaine. Cocaine causes blood vessels to constrict, which increases the pressure needed to pump blood through the body.

Cocaine Relapse: Warning Signs and Solutions

Cocaine is a drug that takes rapid effect, so the first thing you should do is call emergency services and tell them you suspect drug poisoning. In the UK, if you’re a recreational user, you don’t have to fear police involvement. Patients may experience reduced cravings and improved cognitive function over several weeks to months of consistent use. Like gabapentin, baclofen is used during recovery and works by affecting GABA receptors, which play a role in addiction and cravings. JZ is the author of an article cited in this text, but the article was not included in the text at the time of her peer review. Access State-Specific Provider Directories for detailed information on locating licensed service providers and recovery residences in your area.

You don’t have to do this alone – give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you and your family. Labeled as a schedule II, cocaine is addictive because it reacts with the body’s central nervous system. When ingested, it sends high amounts of dopamine, a feel-good hormone and neurotransmitter, into the regions of the brain regulating pleasure.

Factors that may have contributed to the overall decline in substance use among adolescents include public education initiatives and earlier intervention. It’s important to get medical attention immediately for a cocaine overdose. With rapid treatment, the effects of a cocaine overdose may be reversible, potentially preventing complications or long-term effects. After an overdose is treated, the person should seek treatment for cocaine addiction to decrease the likelihood of future overdoses and long-term adverse effects of cocaine use. The risks are even greater when cocaine is mixed with other substances.

Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. There is no reversal agent for cocaine so an overdose will be treated by managing specific symptoms. If someone is experiencing an overdose, naloxone may be administered as the individual might have intentionally or unknowingly taken an opioid and naloxone can reverse opioid effects. Changing your relationship with a highly addictive substance like cocaine can feel overwhelming, but you don’t need to do it alone.

Aside from its high potential for abuse, cocaine is also known as one of the most dangerous drugs and its use can lead to a fatal overdose. Cocaine overdose is a medical emergency that occurs when a person uses excessive amounts of the drug, and it results in serious, life-threatening symptoms or even death. Some of the more dangerous or life-threatening effects of a crack cocaine overdose include rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, seizures, hyperthermia and cardiovascular toxicities. Some of the cardiovascular complications caused by crack use include dysrhythmias, myocardial ischemia and infarction, cardiomyopathy, hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke.

That said, regardless of its intensity, recognizing the signs of a cocaine overdose promptly can make the difference between life or death. Your age, size, weight, and overall health are all risk factors that dictate how your body reacts to the drug. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has reported a steady growth of cocaine-related overdoses throughout the years. Between 2015 and 2019, the country witnessed a considerable rise in cocaine overdose deaths, from 6,784 to 15,883. Ultimately, each person’s circumstances—genetic predispositions, mental health status, and personal history—shape their vulnerability to overdose. A better understanding of these unique factors can inform more effective prevention and treatment strategies for both men and women.

Crack cocaine is rapidly absorbed and produces an immediate and intense euphoric effect relative to other forms of cocaine. Crack, rather than being a different kind of drug, is simply a different way of administration of cocaine. Use of crack cocaine may result in an overdose due to its rapid effects and inability to monitor the amount smoked. Addiction is not curable but treatable with detox, rehabilitation, therapy, and long-term recovery support.