You started using cocaine in college. At first, it was a part of the initiation into your chosen fraternity, but after a while, you found yourself using cocaine all the time. It helped you stay awake to study and party as if you were invincible.
You graduated and got a job with an investing company, helping people figure out their finances and plan for their futures. Cocaine still helped you get through the long days and also allowed you to go out on the weekends with your friends. Life was going pretty well, and you really didn’t notice any negative effects from the cocaine besides being skinny. Until one day you have a new client come in, a young woman in her early 20s. She wants to plan ahead now so her future is secure and you help her through the process. She is cute, and you decide to shoot your shot once the meeting is finished. She looks at you baffled, and says “What are you, like 40?” You are shocked as she turns and walks out, and looking in the mirror, you see your skin does not look as fresh as it should for a 26-year-old. Is this from cocaine?
In 2022, over 200 non-fatal overdose hospitalizations were caused by stimulants like cocaine in Pinellas County. Tranquil Shores has been a leading provider of cocaine use disorder treatment right on the beach, providing a peaceful setting for you to focus on yourself. Our facility keeps our client-to-therapist ratio low, at 3:1, to ensure you get the individual attention you deserve. Our blog is a free resource for families and loved ones who want to learn more about substance use and how to help. Today, we are answering the question – what does cocaine do to your skin?
Cocaine and Its Effects on the Skin
Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the coca plant, native to South America. It induces the effects of euphoria, increased energy, and intense pleasure. However, cocaine causes a slew of side effects to the body, including the skin. The different methods of cocaine use can affect the appearance of the skin and cause painful and harmful effects.
Direct Skin Impact From Cocaine
Cocaine can cause changes in both the skin’s appearance and its texture. When consumed, it affects the cutaneous system, which encompasses the capillaries under the skin. Vasoconstriction, or the shrinking of blood vessels, is a common condition caused by cocaine use and can lead to feeling cold to the touch in areas such as the hands and feet, pale skin, and reduced feeling sensations.
Another condition known as purpura, characterized by purple lesions along the skin, is commonly seen with cocaine use. Purpura is a blockage of blood flow that results in the blood vessels under the skin dying. The result is purple-colored lesions that are deeper in color than a typical bruise.
Skin Infections Caused by Cocaine
Cocaine use can cause hallucinations and psychosis, where they are unaware of what is reality and what is a delusion. A common symptom during these periods is an intense itching feeling, often associated with bugs crawling under the skin. The person may itch their skin vigorously, causing wounds, open patches, and scabs. These wounds can become infected and cause long-term damage.
On top of skin infections, cocaine reduces the appetite. When we do not give our bodies enough nutritional foods, our immune systems weaken. Without a strong immune system, skin infections can take longer to heal. If the person continues scratching wounds open, the injuries can persist and cause frequent reoccurring skin infections which can lead to scarring.
How Injecting Cocaine Can Impact the Skin
Anytime a substance is injected, the skin is broken by the needle. This can lead to a handful of issues, especially for the skin. When we get injections from a doctor or nurse, the needle, syringe, and equipment all come from a sterile environment. When it comes to injecting cocaine, however, there is no way to know if the equipment utilized is sterile. The needles could be used, dull, or contaminated with outside material, increasing the risks of developing problems. Abscesses can form at the injection site, and develop into infections or even destroy the surrounding tissue. If the abscesses and dead tissue are not treated, it can result in muscle death and even require amputation of the limb.
Along with infections, injecting cocaine poses the risk of contracting a blood-borne illness such as HIV/AIDS. HIV can cause the skin to break out in a rash, especially when exposed to sunlight or chemicals. It is one of the tell-tale symptoms of the condition and should warrant a doctor’s visit if you are injecting cocaine and have a strange rash. HIV/AIDS is incurable and can cause life-long complications.
Cocaine Use and Long-Term Effects on the Skin
If left untreated, cocaine-induced skin conditions can cause permanent damage. As we mentioned above, the circulatory system is also largely affected by cocaine. Blood flow can become blocked, causing painful purple patches that can cause death to the skin in the affected area.
Chronic Skin Conditions Associated With Cocaine Use
Vasculitides are defined as the presence of inflammatory leukocytes within blood vessel walls that denote damage. When this happens, blood vessels can lose their integrity, leading to bursting and bleeding. If this occurs within the brain, heart, or other vital organs, the person may experience permanent damage to the body. When it happens underneath the skin, the area will become swollen, painful, and possibly necrotic. Once blood stops reaching an area, the skin and surrounding tissue can die. While skin grafts can replace dead areas, the process is invasive and painful, as well as costly.
Does Cocaine Use Cause Premature Aging?
Naturally, the skin will age as the body does. However, drug use such as cocaine can accelerate the process. Cocaine reduces blood flow to vital areas of the body which can lead to the early development of health conditions.
Another way it can impact the skin is through poor nutrition. Bowel damage is common with cocaine use, and over time, areas of the gastrointestinal tract may need to be removed. This puts strain on the body to absorb the nutrients it needs to function and maintain itself. The skin feels these effects and can begin to stretch or wrinkle as a result.
Cocaine use is typically done in binge sessions, meaning the person will use the substance frequently over days. They do not sleep or eat and may partake in polysubstance use. The skin needs sleep to repair itself, as well as proper hygiene and diet. When we do not eat or sleep, the body is left to utilize what is within to keep functioning. Muscle deterioration can cause the skin to sink, resulting in premature aging.
How to Treat Cocaine-Induced Skin Disorders
Treating cocaine-induced skin disorders will vary depending on the condition. Vascular disease and other circulatory conditions are treated with a heart-healthy diet, medications to manage blood pressure and blood thinners, and lifestyle changes such as more exercise. Purpura is treated directly by addressing the affected areas and removing any tissue that is no longer viable. All in all, cocaine-induced skin disorders are best treated by stopping use, but addressing the initial concerns is necessary to prevent further damage.
Seeking Help for Cocaine Use Disorder in Pinellas County, FL
Cocaine use can take over your life and change the way your skin looks. However, there is hope for a future without cocaine, and all you need to do is take the first step. Seeking a cocaine rehab may seem scary, but the process to a brighter tomorrow will make it all worth it. Through therapy, coping skill development, and daily activities, you will be able to find the root causes of your addiction and rediscover your passions. Recovery is beautiful and you are worth it, all you need to do is begin.
If you or someone you love is managing a cocaine use disorder, help is available today. Tranquil Shores is here to provide you with the quality treatment you need right here on the beach. You don’t have to worry about leaving work, we allow you to keep your electronic devices so you don’t have to miss any important meetings or business. Call us today at 727-391-7001 for the peaceful and private treatment you deserve.
