Cocaine is an addictive stimulant drug that is commonly abused in the society. It can be used in several ways, through inhalation into the lungs, by snorting or by injecting into the body. All these forms can produce a reaction, or "high," which distorts the person's concept of reality and perception. This high state is followed immediately by the extreme opposite, known as a "crash." Cocaine use poses a high risk on the body's health, and there can be several warning signs of its use.
Heart and Cardiac Issues
The cardiac system is rapidly affected by cocaine use. The chemical substances released cause the blood vessels to become obstructed, inflamed and narrowed. This can result in decreased blood and oxygen flow, and can lead to heart attacks and strokes. One of the major warning signs of cocaine use is a very rapid heart rate. Cocaine is a stimulant drug, so it causes the heart to beat at an irregular and fast pace. This can affect the amount of blood being supplied throughout the body to other organs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it can cause sudden death due to the decreased supply of oxygen to the brain.
Depression
A person using cocaine can quickly develop depression. Dopamine, a chemical substance produced by the brain, is responsible for alertness and anxiety. Cocaine use depletes the level of dopamine in the brain and decreases alertness to the environment. This can ultimately result in conditions such as chronic depression.
Other Warning Signs
According the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, there are several other signs that are good indications of cocaine use. These include having a nervous behavior, being anxious, restless, being talkative and having a runny or bloody nose, with no evidence of any illness. A person abusing cocaine will also experience moments of extreme energy, followed by moments of fatigue and exhaustion. It can also make a person experience nausea and the constant need to throw up. When taken in high doses, cocaine can create muscle spasms and tremors, and make a person exhibit violent and abnormal behavior. There is a false perception of reality, and the person sees things that do not exist.
