Substance use disorders can have many different causes, such as unresolved childhood trauma or untreated mental health conditions. Many individuals turn to drugs for the euphoric feeling they can bring. However, using substances like cocaine can also cause side effects like nausea, headaches and depression.
From January to June 2024, 1,094 deaths were directly caused by cocaine throughout Florida. Cocaine can also cause death indirectly through health complications. Nausea, for example, doesn’t stop with just a stomachache. Continual cocaine use impacts the entire digestive system. Without proper treatment, these issues can significantly impact an individual’s health.
Cocaine and Nausea
Though cocaine is most commonly associated with cardiovascular effects like strokes and heart attacks, research suggests that this stimulant has long- and short-term effects on the digestive system.
A study published in 2024 noted cocaine-induced bowel necrosis in an adult with a history of inhaling cocaine. Due to the lack of blood supply to her digestive system, the tissue had started to decay, requiring surgery to remove the dead tissue and reconnect her digestive system.
Though the research on cocaine’s effects on the body is still in progress, by learning more about cocaine nausea, we can understand how this drug impacts a person’s digestive health.
Can Cocaine Cause Nausea?
The South American coca plant that cocaine comes from is commonly used to treat indigestion and altitude sickness. Despite these origins, cocaine can cause a variety of gastrointestinal effects, including nausea.
Cocaine is processed with a vast amount of chemicals. Kerosene is used to extract the cocaine alkaloid from the plant. This by-product is then added to hydrochloric acid and different bases. These are combined in laboratories, removing the plant’s healing properties and creating the crystallized substance we know as illicit cocaine.
Additionally, dealers may add fillers like talcum powder or cornstarch to extend their supplies. Because of the added chemicals and fillers, cocaine can irritate the stomach lining, especially when ingested by mouth.
Cocaine’s Impact on Your Digestive System
Cocaine causes blood vessels to narrow, making it difficult for the body to pump blood to vital organs. This is known as vasospasm and is mainly associated with chest pain and breathing difficulties.
Vasospasm also affects the digestive tract, which survives on adequate blood flow. Without it, the bowels cannot function properly, causing symptoms like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Severe abdominal pain
- Pain after meals
Long-Term Effects of Cocaine on the Digestive System
If a person does not address their substance use, the pain can become dull but will not go away, even after eating or having a bowel movement. Improper blood flow can lead to tissue death, which in turn leads to gangrene within the small and large intestines.
Perforation, which is a tear or rip of the intestines, can occur next. This is a life-threatening medical emergency because the contents of the bowel are toxic to the body and cause infection and damage to other vital organs.
Long-term cocaine use has been linked to various gastrointestinal conditions. In one case, a man who had lost 20 kilograms (about 44 pounds) in two months was found to have cocaine-induced enteritis, which is swelling of the small intestine.
Long-term digestive effects can include:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Bowel tissue decay
- Stomach bleeding
- Ischemic colitis
- Enteritis
- Perforation
Effects of Cocaine on Other Parts of the Body
Because of its vasospasm effects, cocaine intoxication causes harm to other parts of the body.
How Cocaine Affects the Heart
When the heart tries to pump the same volume of blood through narrower passageways, it becomes overworked. This can cause:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Cardiomyopathy (stretching of the heart muscle)
- Chest pain
- Risk of other cardiovascular conditions
How Cocaine Affects the Brain
The brain is also affected by chronic cocaine use. Cocaine essentially changes the reward system in the brain by releasing higher amounts of chemicals. The changes to this system take a long period to rewire, and cravings for cocaine can continue for months or even years after the last use.
With blood flow restriction, you are more likely to experience:
- Blood clots
- Stroke
- Permanent brain damage
How Cocaine Affects the Respiratory System
Those who inhale cocaine through the nose are likely to experience breathing problems. The lining of the nasal cavity becomes irritated, leading to inflammation that makes it difficult to breathe. Eventually, nasal passageways can become necrotic and require surgery to repair.
Those who inhale cocaine can also experience:
- Chronic lung infections
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Bronchitis
Combined with a weakened immune system from poor nutrition, cocaine can cause breathing difficulties that last long after use has stopped.
How to Stop Cocaine Nausea
Nausea and abdominal troubles are best treated by stopping cocaine use altogether. For those who cannot immediately stop their cocaine usage, some tips to decrease nausea include:
- Eating a balanced meal beforehand
- Drinking hydrating fluids like water or electrolyte drinks
- Taking antacids
Do not mix cocaine with other substances, as this can increase nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal pain. If abdominal pain ever becomes severe, vomiting does not cease, or blood appears in vomit or diarrhea, seek medical attention immediately. Conditions such as ulcers and perforations in the intestines can become serious and life-threatening if not addressed as soon as possible.
Getting Help for Cocaine Addiction in Pinellas County, FL
Trying to manage a cocaine addiction can wreak havoc on your life physically and mentally, especially if you are experiencing nausea during your cocaine use. When depression and anxiety begin driving use, it can seem like a never-ending cycle that is impossible to break. The good news is that there is hope through a trusted cocaine addiction treatment program. It is never too late to take the first step into the recovery journey. Through guided therapy, skill-building and wellness classes, you will be able to end the cycle of cocaine use and replace it with renewed passion and purpose.
If you or someone you love is living with a cocaine use disorder, help is available, and it has a scenic beach view. Tranquil Shores is located in a secluded and peaceful area of the Gulf Coast, in the beautiful community of Madeira Beach. Our dedicated team is ready to help you find what works for you in recovery and address the root cause of your addiction. The client-to-counselor ratio is kept low at Tranquil Shores, at 3:1. This ensures you receive the individual attention you deserve from our compassionate staff. Call us today at 727-391-7001 to learn more about our cocaine addiction treatment.
FAQs About Cocaine-Induced Nausea
Consider the answers to the following questions about cocaine and nausea.
Does Cocaine Make Your Stomach Hurt?
Yes, due to its chemical elements and potential filler additions, cocaine can cause nausea and damage to the stomach’s lining and intestines. Moreover, it can cause long-term tissue decay that may require medical intervention.
Is Cocaine Stomach Damage Permanent?
Ending cocaine use can stop the resulting nausea. However, issues like perforation do require medical assistance and surgery to repair.
Does Cocaine Make You Throw Up?
While nausea is a more typical side effect, cocaine can make you throw up. If a person is exhibiting extreme vomiting and sweating, they may be experiencing a cocaine overdose.
Is Nausea a Symptom of Cocaine Overdose?
Nausea and vomiting can be signs of a cocaine overdose, as the body tries to expel the substance. Immediate medical assistance is imperative in the event of an overdose.
