Warning Signs of Cocaine Addiction and Abuse
When a person is compulsively seeking and using cocaine, despite some or all of these negative consequences, they probably are becoming a cocaine addict. Here are some of the warning signs that someone might be using and or abusing cocaine or crack cocaine.
Warning signs a person is abusing or using cocaine
- job loss
- eyes bloodshot
- eye pupils wide open
- insomnia
- irritability
- frequent mood swings
- problems with work performance
- frequent tardiness absence from work
- debt money problems
- nose bleeds
- anxious anxiety attacks
- family issues
- rapid or irregular heartbeat
- relationship problems
Other possible warning signs
The physical warning signs of cocaine abuse can vary, depending on the person. Quite often the eyes are a good indicator of cocaine use. A person will appear wide and or bloodshot eyes and the pupils are dilated. Stimulants, like cocaine, increase heart rate and blood pressure so heart irregularities can be a warning sign. Cocaine users often have increase have an elevated speech pattern so speech irregularities are a warning sign. Cocaine is an appetite suppressant so people that use cocaine regularly often lose weight or are not hungry at meal time is a warning sign. And because cocaine is powerful stimulant, people who use cocaine often have a difficult time falling asleep or suffer from disruptive, inconsistent sleep patterns is a warning sign.
Summary of the warning signs of cocaine use
- Using cocaine and not being able to fulfill obligations at home, at work, or with others; feeling as if cocaine or other substances are needed to fit in with others or function at work or at home; or driving under the influence of cocaine.
- Preoccupation with getting or using cocaine: Living mainly to get high on cocaine. Making cocaine use important in life or being obsessed with using cocaine.
- Change in one’s tolerance for cocaine. Needing more cocaine to get high or getting high much more easily and by using less cocaine than was used in the past.
- Having trouble reducing or abstaining from cocaine, not being able to control how much or how often one uses or using more cocaine or other substances than planned.
- Suffering withdrawal symptoms. Getting sick physically, including having the shakes, feeling nauseous, having gooseflesh, once one reduces or stops using cocaine. Or after stopping the use of cocaine a person experiences mental symptoms such as depression, anxiety or agitation.
- Using cocaine to avoid or stop withdrawal symptoms: For example, using cocaine to prevent withdrawal sickness or using cocaine to stop withdrawal symptoms once they’ve started.
- Using cocaine even though they cause problems in one’s life.
- Giving up important activities or losing friendships because of cocaine use.
- Stopping cocaine or other substance use for a period of time, days, weeks, or months, only to begin again.
- Getting into trouble because of cocaine or other substance use. Losing jobs or being unable to find a job, getting arrested or having other legal problems; sabotaging relationships or having trouble with family or friends, or having money problems because of cocaine use.
These warning signs are what to look for if you suspect someone you know might be using cocaine. Like any warning sign, they are no guarantee, merely indicators to raise serious concerns.
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