Injections.
Smoking.
Snorting.
All ways to take the same substance – cocaine. Cocaine has a reputation as an easy way to cut loose, a popular choice among both executives and party goers around the world. A boost of euphoria combines with a jolt of energy, and it seems like there are only positives.
And yet cocaine-related deaths rose 73% between 2019 and 2022.
At Tranquil Shores, we know what it’s like to find out your partner is doing cocaine. To worry about the damage it can cause, to be uncertain of what the consequences might be. Our mission is to treat every client who comes through our doors as an individual, equipping them and their families with everything they need to succeed.
Part of that process is education. So today, we’re going to talk about the different ways to do cocaine.
Cocaine Use
Cocaine is a stimulant, derived from the leaves of the South American coca plant. It is known for its feelings of euphoria, energy, and wakefulness, caused by releases of adrenaline and dopamine in the brain. Some individuals feel talkative, and more sensitive to touch or sound.
However, there are more serious side effects. Cocaine constricts blood vessels, increasing heart rate and putting stress on the body. The heightened senses can lead to a state of paranoia, anxiety, and restlessness. Chest pain, seizures, and in some cases death are possible with large doses.
With long-term use, tolerance can begin to form, the body requiring more and more to reach the same feelings of euphoria. Eventually, your partner may need cocaine simply to feel normal. Cardiovascular problems can worsen, and risk of stroke and seizure increase with cocaine use. Cocaine use may impair cognitive function and memory, as well as lead to depression.
The Dangers of Different Cocaine Delivery Methods
While commonly associated with being snorted, cocaine is a substance that can be consumed in a variety of ways. These range from snorting, to smoking, to injecting, and even eating it. In addition to general side effects, each delivery method of cocaine carries its own risks.
Snorting Cocaine
Also known as intranasal use, snorting is the most common delivery method for cocaine. This works by allowing the cocaine to be absorbed through the nasal cavity. In the sinuses, blood cells are tightly packed and close to the surface, allowing cocaine to quickly pass into the bloodstream.
However, while this delivery method is common, it comes with its own significant risks. With consistent use, nasal problems can eventually arise. Over time, senses of smell or taste may deteriorate and vanish. Nosebleeds and sinus infections are common. In some cases, a condition known as cocaine nose can occur. With this, accumulated damage to the nose and sinus region can become permanent, requiring extensive surgery to repair.
Other risks are present as well. While many think diseases can only be transmitted via needles, research suggests that some illnesses such as Hepatitis C can spread through the sharing of cocaine utensils, such as straws or cards.
Smoking Cocaine
To smoke or “free base” cocaine, it has to be in a crystallized form – also known as crack cocaine. When this is heated or burned, it releases vapors that can be inhaled. As these vapors enter the lungs, they are absorbed into the bloodstream through tiny sacs called alveoli. The lungs have millions of these tiny packets, so the cocaine is absorbed quickly.
This carries unique risks compared to snorting. Most of the vapor will be inhaled orally, so much of the nasal and sinus damage can be avoided. However, there are significant trade-offs. Lung damage is a serious risk, as the cocaine vapors penetrate much further than powdered cocaine. This often leads to coughing, wheezing, and general lung damage. Over time, this can become bronchitis, pneumonia, or other respiratory diseases.
Additional side-effects include dental damage, as the heated acidic vapors can wear away enamel – some studies suggest that tooth loss is up to 46% more common among those who smoke cocaine. Further, smoking cocaine comes with increased risk of overdose, as it’s easy to inhale large amounts of cocaine compared to snorting.
Injecting Cocaine
Injecting cocaine involves converting cocaine into a liquid form, then delivering it intravenously directly into the bloodstream. This often involves the most significant risks among delivery methods, in a variety of categories.
Cocaine overdose is a serious risk with injection, as higher doses of cocaine can be applied in a shorter duration. There are no factors diminishing absorption, as all of it is placed directly into the bloodstream. This can lead to severely negative symptoms such as chest pain, seizures, and in some cases death. If you or a loved one are experiencing an overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
This delivery method itself carries additional risks. Especially with non-sterile equipment, infections can quickly develop. Blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis or HIV can be transmitted when needles or other equipment aren’t fully cleaned. Artery and vascular damage can occur if needles are misplaced or injected improperly.
Ingesting or Eating Cocaine
Eating cocaine is considered by some to be a healthier way to consume cocaine. After all, the reasoning goes, It comes from a natural plant. However, this is not necessarily true. When cocaine is swallowed, it is eventually absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal tract, after first passing through the stomach.
The effects of swallowing cocaine are often unpredictable, as the digestive system can be highly variable. Sometimes, the cocaine may pass through quickly, giving an almost immediate “high”. However, at other times, cocaine may take hours to process, with no immediate response. This delay can lead your loved one to take far more cocaine than would be safe, as they don’t feel any initial effects. Additionally, this can leave cocaine in their system for far longer than they intended, or symptoms suddenly appearing in unsafe environments.
While not necessarily unique to eating cocaine, further risks include stomach pain, vomiting, and intestinal damage. Due to its perceived view as a healthier alternative, more general risks of cocaine use may also be more prevalent – substance use disorders, psychosis, depression, and other long-term side effects.
Getting Help for Cocaine Use in Madeira Beach, Florida
The effects of cocaine extend far beyond its intense but temporary euphoria. No matter how it’s consumed, short-term use can lead to dangerous stress on the body, and long-term use comes with serious health risks. Depression, lung damage, and even psychosis – these are just a few of the consequences that result from cocaine use.
Yet for many individuals, what was once an infrequent recreational event has become a consistent pattern. Cocaine begins to take over more of their life, and they find themselves thinking about their next hit, scheduling their life around the next “bump”.
If your loved one finds themselves unable to quit, it can feel like they’re trapped in an inescapable spiral. However, a path to recovery is always possible. Effective cocaine addiction rehab options are available at facilities that will help your partner not only stand back on their feet, but continue into the future they deserve.
At Tranquil Shores, we know the impact that cocaine use can have on our clients’ lives. We provide clinically advanced treatments that not only get your partner back on their feet, but allow them to leave ready for any challenges life throws their way. Cocaine use is disruptive enough. That’s why our beachfront facilities allow your partner access to their electronic devices, so their life isn’t put on hold while they receive treatment. If you’d like to know more about our world-class facilities, connect with us today at 727-361-6707. We are here to provide the peaceful and private treatment you deserve.
FAQs
Q: Are there safe ways to use cocaine?
A: All cocaine use comes with serious risks. Heart failure, overdose, seizures, and even strokes are possible, even in healthy individuals.
Q: Is snorting cocaine less dangerous than smoking it?
A: Snorting cocaine reduces some risks compared to smoking, but increases others. While you are less likely to damage your lungs with snorting, you may experience serious damage to your nasal cavities, as well as other negative side effects of cocaine use.
