Download Article
Download Article
Cocaine is a highly addictive drug with widespread use around the world. Some experts estimate that in the United States alone, almost 25 million people will have tried cocaine at least once in their lifetime. [1] X Research source Cocaine is typically snorted through the nose but can be injected or smoked, and each method of administration carries its own risks of adverse effects. [2] X Research source Learning the signs and symptoms of cocaine use can help you determine whether a friend or loved one is using cocaine, and help you determine how to intervene.
Steps
-
Check for dilated pupils. Cocaine use causes the pupils in the eyes to dilate because of the drug's stimulant effects. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
-
Look for signs of nasal stress. Because many users administer cocaine by snorting it through the nose, one of the telltale signs of cocaine use is nasal stress. Look for signs of:Advertisement
-
Check for rapid pulse. Because cocaine is a stimulant, one of the common physical symptoms of cocaine use is a rapid heartbeat. In some cases, this may lead to cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), hypertension, and cardiac death. [12] X Research source
- A normal, healthy heart rate for most adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. [13] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Note that heart rate can be affected by other factors not associated with drug use, including physical activity, air temperature, body position, emotional states, and even certain legal medications. [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source For this reason, heart rate alone should not necessarily be considered a definitive sign of drug use.
-
Recognize the signs of crack cocaine use. Another common method of administering cocaine is by smoking the drug, typically in the form of a solid "rock," called crack cocaine. Crack is formed by mixing powdered cocaine with water and baking soda. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Signs of crack use include burned fingers or lips from lighting and smoking through a specialized device commonly called a crack pipe. [16] X Research source
-
Identify the signs of intravenous drug use. Some users inject cocaine intravenously, using a syringe. This is done to experience immediate effects of the drug but comes with its own set of risks, including endocarditis (heart inflammation), cardiovascular disease, abscesses/infections, and an increased risk of overdose. Intravenous drug use also greatly increases the chances of transmitting a blood-borne disease like hepatitis and HIV.
- Signs of intravenous drug use include puncture marks (called "track marks"), most commonly seen in the arm, and possible skin infections or allergic reactions caused by additives mixed with cocaine. [17] X Research source
-
Be aware of oral ingestion. One method of administering cocaine is by orally swallowing the drug. This produces fewer external signs of drug use than smoking, snorting, or injecting the drug, but it has been known to cause severe gangrene in the bowels and gastrointestinal tract due to reduced blood flow and GI sensitivity to the drug. [18] X Research source In cases of oral ingestion, the most visible signs will probably be the symptoms typical of stimulant use, including:
Advertisement
-
Spot conversational clues. Cocaine and other stimulants often cause overly-energetic behavior. [25] X Research source Common conversational clues of cocaine use include:
-
Notice other behavioral changes. Someone who consistently uses cocaine may end up spending large amounts of time and energy acquiring cocaine. [33] X Research source Users of cocaine may also engage in:
-
Look for dramatic mood swings. Because cocaine is a stimulant, it can cause sudden changes in mood. This may mean irritability, but it could also cause sudden bursts of euphoria or a sense of carelessness, or a shift from one extreme to the other. [36] X Research source
-
Notice social withdrawal. A common behavioral characteristic of people who use drugs is withdrawing from social relationships, either to be alone or to be with others who use drugs. [37] X Research source
- Though socially withdrawing from a group of friends may be caused by other factors, such as anxiety or depression, it may also be a sign of drug use.
-
Note a loss of pleasure. Many users of all kinds of drugs experience a loss of pleasure in activities or interests that had previously been enjoyable, but this is particularly problematic with cocaine use. [38] X Research source That's because cocaine use harms the circuits in the human brain that are responsible for a sense of pleasure. [39] X Research source
- Look for signs of depression and a seeming lack of pleasure in day-to-day activities as a symptom of long-term cocaine use.
Advertisement
-
Look for straws and tubes. Depending on the method of administration, there may be a wide range of cocaine-related paraphernalia. Because snorting cocaine is the most common method of ingestion, common paraphernalia items include:
- hollowed-out pens
- straws
- rolled up money or money that appears to have been rolled up
- razor blades, credit cards, or ID cards, often with powdery residue on the edges
-
Recognize evidence of intravenous drug use. Though less frequent than snorting or smoking the drug, intravenous injection of cocaine is still a common method of administration. Look for:
- syringes
- tourniquets, including belts and shoelaces
- spoons, which may have burn marks on the bottom
- lighters
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- it can be difficult to talk to someone about their drug use. If you believe a friend or loved one is using cocaine, talk to a medical professional about how to safely get that person help.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- None of these signs, by themselves, should be considered as hard evidence. A person may be engaging in suspicious behaviors, but this does not mean that they are using drugs.Thanks
- Cocaine use can lead to addiction, aortic dissection (torn arteries), high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, or death. [42] X Research sourceThanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/basics/symptoms/con-20020970
- ↑ http://www.addictions.com/crack-addiction/recognizing-top-5-crack-addiction-symptoms/
- ↑ http://www.addictions.com/crack-addiction/recognizing-top-5-crack-addiction-symptoms/
- ↑ http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-cocaine-use.html
- ↑ http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-cocaine-use.html
- ↑ http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-cocaine-use.html
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-cocaine-use.html
- ↑ http://www.highlandridgehospital.com/addiction/cocaine/effects-signs-symptoms
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181074/
- ↑ http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-cocaine-use.html
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.pdrhealth.com/diseases/drug-abuse/symptoms
- ↑ http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-cocaine-use.html
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-cocaine-use.html
- ↑ http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-cocaine-use.html
- ↑ http://www.highlandridgehospital.com/addiction/cocaine/effects-signs-symptoms
- ↑ http://www.highlandridgehospital.com/addiction/cocaine/effects-signs-symptoms
- ↑ http://www.highlandridgehospital.com/addiction/cocaine/effects-signs-symptoms
- ↑ http://www.highlandridgehospital.com/addiction/cocaine/effects-signs-symptoms
- ↑ http://www.twelveoaksrecovery.com/cocaine/withdrawals-effects/
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.twelveoaksrecovery.com/cocaine/withdrawals-effects/
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-cocaine-use.html
- ↑ http://www.twelveoaksrecovery.com/cocaine/withdrawals-effects/
- ↑ http://www.twelveoaksrecovery.com/cocaine/withdrawals-effects/
- ↑ http://www.twelveoaksrecovery.com/cocaine/withdrawals-effects/
- ↑ http://www.twelveoaksrecovery.com/cocaine/withdrawals-effects/
- ↑ http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-cocaine-use.html
- ↑ http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-cocaine-use.html
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
About This Article
Article Summary
X
If you think someone is abusing cocaine, look for physical symptoms like dilated pupils and nasal issues. Since many cocaine users snort it, someone who is abusing cocaine will likely suffer from nosebleeds, a decreased sense of smell, and damaged nostrils. Also check for puncture marks on the person’s arms, as some users inject cocaine intravenously with a syringe. In addition to physical symptoms, watch for behavioral ones, like overly-energetic behavior and uncharacteristic risk-taking. People who abuse cocaine might also leave evidence behind after using, so keep an eye out for hollowed-out pens, straws, and razor blades with powdery residue on the edges. For more help from our co-author, like how to look for signs of crack cocaine use, scroll down.
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 550,944 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I knew very little about the subject, so the information was very helpful. Thank you for the pictures and the explanations." ..." more
Advertisement
83%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I knew very little about the subject, so the information was very helpful. Thank you for the pictures and the explanations."
..."
more
"It let me further understand the users of cocaine. Very big help. Thank you."
"It was very helpful. Thank you for posting."
"The pictures are hilarious."
