Cocaine is a highly addictive narcotic drug that people can use in several ways. They can smoke, snort, or inject the drug. Cocaine can also absorb into the body through the skin. Continued use of cocaine can have both short and long-term effects on a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. People often wonder what the impact of cocaine on the heart is. The answer is simple; cocaine has the power to impact your heart’s ability to pump naturally, which can have severe consequences and may even be fatal. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, a cocaine addiction treatment in Murrieta can help with the first steps on the road to recovery.
What Does Cocaine Do to the Heart?
When a person uses cocaine often, the long-term effects of cocaine can be severe. Severe medical complications can occur as a result of cocaine abuse.
In particular, the drug can damage the cardiovascular system tremendously. When a person takes cocaine, their heart begins working harder to pump blood. At the same time, cocaine constricts the capillaries, which reduces the amount of blood flowing to the heart muscle. Cocaine can also cause blood clotting, further limiting blood flow to essential organs such as the heart.
Here are some heart conditions that are related to continued cocaine use:
- Myocardial infarction – Also known as a heart attack, can occur at any time for cocaine users. Heart attacks associated with cocaine abuse typically happen within one hour of use.
- Aortic dissection – Is a painful condition that tears the wall of the aorta.
- Coronary artery aneurysms – Are when the coronary arteries begin to dilate. This condition is common amongst cocaine abusers.
- Heart failure – Is also caused by inflammation and damage to a heart’s muscle.
- Strokes – Can occur in cocaine users due to the impact of the drug on blood vessels, pressure, and clotting.
What Are the Signs of Cocaine Addiction?
People can take cocaine in several different ways. The signs of continued cocaine use can often be identified by how often and intensely a person uses the drug. Some signs of cocaine use can be:
- Excitability
- Dilated pupils
- Runny nose
- Weight loss
- Mood swings
- Social isolation
- Risky behavior
- Nosebleeds
- Shifting sleep patterns
- Changes in eating patterns
- Residue around nose and mouth
- Burn marks on the hands and lips
- Need for privacy
- Drug paraphernalia such as spoons, razor blades, and plastic baggies
Nobody should ignore any of these signs of cocaine abuse as they can all lead to long-term effects of cocaine addiction in a person’s life.
What Are the Short-Term Effects of Cocaine Addiction?
The short-term effects of using cocaine are immediately happening after the initial use. Some examples of the short-term effects include:
- Sweating
- Increased heart rate
Excessive mental paranoia - Talkative
- Energetic
- Decreased appetite
- Elevated mood
- Compulsive
- Violent
- Panic
- Anxiety
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Cocaine?
Continued use of cocaine means that you will face long-term effects. Although cocaine can often make you appear excited, talkative, and expressive, it can cause your health to deteriorate over time. Examples of long term consequences include:
- Stronger and quicker withdrawals
- Frequent mood swings
- Decreased emotional intelligence
- Paranoia
- Declining personal hygiene
- Hallucinations
- Organ failure
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Broken relationships
- Loss of employment
- Death
Heal Your Heart with Cocaine Addiction Treatment at Rise Above Treatment
Learning the effects of a drug can make recognizing the symptoms of substance abuse easy. Finding addiction treatment can help you or someone you love get the help needed before severe consequences of cocaine use begin.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, a cocaine addiction treatment in Murrieta can help you get placed on the road to recovery. Contact us at (877) 641-0717 and get started today.
