Blog

You might feel like something is wrong with someone you love. Maybe they act differently lately or seem very hyper. Because of this, you might worry about what’s going on. At Empower Health Group, we want to help you find the signs of cocaine addiction. It’s our goal to make sure you have the facts so you can make a good choice. We know this is a scary time, but you aren’t alone.

Common Physical Signs of Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is a drug that makes the body go too fast. Because the drug works quickly, the changes you see might come and go.¹ One of the first signs of cocaine addiction is in the eyes. The black circles in the middle of the eyes, called pupils, get very big. Also, the person might talk very fast or have a lot of nervous energy.

You might also see a runny nose or nosebleeds very often. This happens because the drug hurts the nose inside. You can learn more about how the drug hurts the nose on our blog. This drug is also very bad for the heart and blood. This is called a cardiovascular problem, which is like a pump that starts working too hard until it breaks.² Consequently, a person might have a very fast heartbeat that feels like it’s jumping out of their chest.

Behavioral Red Flags and Money Problems

Addiction often makes people act in strange ways. However, you can spot these changes if you know what to look for. One big sign is when a person has trouble with their money. Cocaine costs a lot of cash, so a person might always be broke. Furthermore, they might lose their job or stop going to work. They might also stop hanging out with old friends to be with new ones.

Some people think they can use drugs and still do a good job. This is called high-functioning addiction, but it’s usually just a lie they tell themselves. People with this problem still show signs of cocaine addiction, like being late or getting mad easily. Eventually, they can’t hide the problem anymore. They might start to miss important family times or big events.³ So, if they act like they have a secret, it might be because they’re hiding a drug.

The Mental Crash and How the Brain Feels

Cocaine changes how the brain works and feels. We call this a psychological effect, which is just a big word for how your brain thinks and feels inside. When the drug wears off, the person feels a crash. Consequently, they might feel very sad or tired for a long time. The signs of cocaine addiction at this stage look like someone who can’t get out of bed. They might feel like they have no hope at all.

Using this drug for a long time can make a person feel very scared or mean. They might think people are out to get them even when it’s not true.⁴ At Empower Health Group, we help people with addiction and mental health problems at the same time. This is important because a sad brain often leads to more drug use. We teach the brain how to be happy again without any drugs. So, we look at the whole person to help them get better.

Understanding the Danger of Overdose

It’s very important to know when a person is in big trouble. A cocaine overdose is a scary medical emergency. You might see a person shaking, having a seizure, or feeling very hot.⁵ Also, they might have chest pain or find it very hard to breathe. If you see this, stop reading and call 9-1-1 right away. Do not wait to see if they get better on their own.

Quitting this drug is hard because the body craves it so much. However, we make it safer with our medical help for detox. This is a place where doctors watch over you while the drug leaves your body. It helps with the bad feelings that come when you stop. Because we use medicine and kind talk, people feel much better. This way, they can start their new life with a clear head.

How to Help Someone You Love Start Over

If you want to help, you should talk to your loved one with love. Don’t yell or blame them for the problem. Instead, tell them you’re worried and want them to be safe. You can explain that the cocaine addiction recovery process is a path to a better life. It’s a journey they can take with experts who care about them. We’re here to walk that path with your family.

We have many ways to help people get sober. We offer different types of programs, like staying at our center or coming in for the day. Our team builds a plan that fits each person. Because everyone is different, every plan is different too. We want to make sure everyone gets the right kind of help.

Our Treatment Centers