Cocaine Addiction | Cocaine In Ohio

Kimberly Langdon, M.D.

Medically Reviewed By: Kimberly Langdon, M.D.

on December 4, 2022

Cocaine is a schedule II controlled substance. This means it has a high potential for abuse and can lead to very serious health issues. Because of the high potential for abuse, cocaine can be very addictive and lead to substance use disorder. When abused, the drug can also lead to adverse side effects.

Cocaine is the white power made from the coca plant and is classified as a central nervous system stimulant drug and a schedule II controlled substance by the DEA and FDA. This means it has a high potential for abuse and can lead to very serious health issues. 

The drug comes in three different forms: cocaine hydrochloride (powder mixed with other things), freebase (its pure form), and crack cocaine (its crystallized form).

Because of the high potential for abuse, cocaine can be very addictive and lead to substance use disorder. When abused, the drug can also lead to adverse side effects. Luckily, there are ways to treat cocaine addiction.

Cocaine Abuse In Ohio

Cocaine can be abused in a number of ways. As it’s not considered a safe drug you’d get from a healthcare provider, any use of it is considered drug abuse. It can be snorted, injected, plugged, rubbed on the gums, smoked, or swallowed.

How you use the drug changes the potency and how long the effects last. If smoked, the effects can be intense but short-lived. Snorting or injecting cocaine can be even more intense but lasts an even shorter period of time. 

In order to maintain the effects, people may take more and more, increasing the risk of both addiction and overdose. 

Frequently abusing cocaine can also cause a strain on the heart and could ultimately lead to death via a stroke or heart attack. 

Effects Of Cocaine Addiction

Some of the effects of cocaine abuse are more intense and harmful than other effects. The most common effects include:

  • talkativeness
  • excitement
  • alertness
  • anxiety
  • overconfidence
  • sweating
  • increased blood pressure
  • rapid breathing
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • anxiety
  • agitation
  • paranoia
  • psychosis

Long-term cocaine abuse can also increase your risk for ischemic heart disease, irregular heart rhythms, hypertension, kidney damage, and cardiomyopathy. 

Cocaine Overdose

Cocaine abuse increases your risk of a cocaine overdose. Whether you’re snorting, injecting, or smoking the drug, it can be difficult to know the exact dose. The symptoms of a cocaine overdose can include:

  • elevated heart rate
  • rise in body temperature
  • nausea and vomiting
  • pain in the chest
  • tremors
  • panicked feelings
  • anxiety
  • delirium
  • paranoia

Signs Of Cocaine Addiction

There are also several signs you can look out for if you think a loved one may be addicted to cocaine. The signs of cocaine addiction can include:

  • increased agitation
  • signs of involuntary movements/muscle tics
  • changes in concentration
  • dilated pupils
  • runny nose
  • nosebleeds
  • weight loss
  • social isolation
  • increase in risky behaviors
  • changes in sleeping and eating patterns
  • white powder residue around the nose and mouth
  • drug paraphernalia like needles, pipes, spoons, small plastic bags and razor blades lying around
  • bloodshot eyes
  • needle marks on hands, forearms, legs and/or feet
  • financial issues due to cocaine use or obtaining more cocaine
  • issues maintaining employment (frequently calling in sick, missing deadlines or not showing up at all)

Another sign of drug addiction includes having cocaine withdrawal symptoms when you stop using. Withdrawal symptoms are likely to include intense drug cravings, agitation, insomnia, and overall discomfort. 

Cocaine Addiction Treatment In Ohio

Despite the many issues that come with a cocaine addiction, several cocaine addiction treatment options are available. The rehab program you choose depends on the severity of your substance abuse and your overall behavioral health needs.

Medical Detox

Detox is usually the first step toward recovery. During this process, you stop any cocaine use and are medically supervised while the drug leaves your system. 

If your body has built up a cocaine dependence, you’ll likely go through cocaine withdrawal and start to feel some withdrawal symptoms as you come off the drug. The detox process is short-term and can last around seven to ten days.

Inpatient Treatment Programs

Inpatient treatment requires you to stay at a treatment facility 24/7. This treatment setting offers therapy, medical care, addiction education, and co-occurring treatment for mental health disorders.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

Outpatient care is also an effective treatment option. Instead of staying at a treatment center 24/7, you’re able to go home after receiving treatment each day. Outpatient provides many of the same options as inpatient care, like group therapy and support groups.

Behavioral Therapies

There are also a few types of behavioral therapy that are recommended for those struggling with cocaine addiction, including contingency management and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Aftercare

Once formal treatment ends, aftercare can be the next step you take. Aftercare reinforces what you learned in treatment and addresses issues like relapse, depression, and the struggles that come as you continue your recovery. 

Aftercare can include 12-step programs, support groups, career counseling, and financial planning.

If you or a loved one struggles with cocaine addiction or other forms of drug use, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Ohio Recovery Center offers a variety of inpatient substance abuse treatment options including medical detox, medication-assisted treatment, and more.

For more information, please call our helpline today.

FAQs

How Long Does Cocaine Stay In Your System?

Cocaine can stay in your system for several hours after the last use. Common cocaine drug testing methods can detect cocaine use for an average of about 2 days later.

Learn more about How Long Cocaine Stays In Your System

How Much Does Cocaine Cost In Ohio?

The cost of cocaine can differ quite a bit depending on where you’re buying it and how pure it is. But, on average, it’s typically about $60-$200 per gram in Ohio.

Learn more about How Much Cocaine Costs In Ohio

What’s It Like To Be High On Cocaine?

When someone is high on cocaine, they may experience feelings of euphoria, happiness, and excitement. In addition to this, they may also feel extra confident and energetic.

Learn more about What Does A Cocaine High Feel Like?

What Does Cocaine Look Like?

Cocaine generally looks like a fine white powder, but can also be off-white, beige, or pinkish in color.

Learn more about what Cocaine Looks Like

What Does Cocaine Smell Like?

Cocaine does not likely have an identifying odor. However, the smell of cocaine is often described as artificial or chemical like, and the odor may resemble gas or paint.

Learn more about What Cocaine Smells Like

How Can You Identify Fake Cocaine?

Fake cocaine, or bath salts/synthetic cathinones, come as white or colorful crystals or dust that can sometimes resemble cocaine. However, bath salts do not act as a local anesthetic and have other physical or chemical differences that sets them apart from authentic cocaine.

Learn more about Identifying Fake Cocaine

What Is Cocaine Cut With?

Cocaine can be cut with levamisole, benzocaine, opioids, and common household products. These cutting agents can cause a wide range of side effects including blood clots, anxiety, bacterial infections, and cardiovascular failure.

Learn more about Cocaine Cutting Agents

What Is Pink Cocaine?

Pink cocaine is an emerging South American party drug that features the psychedelic drug 2C-B. However, this bright pink powder more often replaces 2C-B with a combination of other euphoric and addictive substances, creating an illicit and unpredictable powder cocktail.

Learn more about Pink Cocaine

How Does Cocaine Use Affect Bodybuilding?

The illicit drug cocaine may affect bodybuilding by reducing your overall mood and motivation, interfering with sleep and healing, lowering your energy level, directly interfering with muscle function and health, and damaging your long-term cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

Learn more about Cocaine & Bodybuilding

What Does Cocaine Go By On The Street?

Cocaine has hundreds of street names and slang terms on the street. The US Drug Enforcement Administration has an extensive list of terms referring to powder and crack cocaine.

Some common nicknames for powder cocaine include:

  • blow
  • coke
  • dust
  • nose candy
  • snow
  • toot
  • white girl

Learn more about Cocaine Street Names

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse - Cocaine DrugFacts https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cocaine
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse - How is cocaine addiction treated? https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-treatments-are-effective-cocaine-abusers
  3. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus - Cocaine https://medlineplus.gov/cocaine.html
  4. New York City Department of Health - Cocaine Abuse & Addiction https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/cocaine-abuse-and-addiction.page

Written by Ohio Recovery Center Editorial Team

© 2024 Ohio Recovery Center | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

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