What Are Cocaine Overdose Symptoms?

Cocaine is a potent drug the effects of which can be very taxing on an individual’s body. Like many illicit drugs, a cocaine overdose can be fatal. Therefore, the sooner you can identify an overdose and get the user help, then the better off they will be. If you recognize cocaine overdose symptoms, then you can get the assistance necessary. Take a look at common overdose symptoms and learn how to respond with drug addiction treatment. Beaches Recovery can guide you through the signs and symptoms as well as get you or a loved one the cocaine addiction rehab program necessary to detox and address drug abuse.

5 Important Cocaine Overdose Symptoms

1. Irregular or Elevated Heart Rate

Cocaine is a stimulant drug. That means the drug will elevate the functions of your body. One of the most common cocaine overdose symptoms is a change in heart rate.

Users might feel like their heart is beating out of their chest. It might also sound louder than usual. Some users report that their heart rate feels like it is skipping a beat or beating irregularly. All of these signs are indicative of a cocaine overdose and should be treated right away.

2. Extremely High Body Temperature

In the same way that cocaine elevates heart rate, it raises body temperature. Someone experiencing cocaine overdose symptoms will feel very hot, even if the surrounding environment is cold. You might notice that a person struggling with an overdose is taking off layers of clothing or looks red in the face.

All that body heat can lead to excessive sweating. Not only is this a sign of overdose in and of itself, but it can also cause dehydration. Hydration issues are already common with cocaine use, but with a cocaine overdose, they can become severe. In addition to liquids, people struggling with an overdose may require electrolyte salts or even an IV.

3. Tremors or Seizures

For a variety of reasons, cocaine overdose symptoms can be both seizures and tremors. Essentially, the body begins to shut down. The brain can’t respond appropriately to the stimulation caused by a large amount of ingested cocaine.

Seizures can also be brought on by extreme dehydration. If you ever spot seizures or tremors, emergency help is required right away. Seizures can prevent oxygen from getting to the brain, which could lead to a coma, paralysis, or even death.

4. Enlarged Pupils

When someone uses cocaine (or any other stimulant), their pupils will usually get much bigger than usual. However, if the person has ingested too much cocaine, the pupils can become even larger. This is one of the signature signs of a cocaine overdose and should be taken seriously. If you see that someone’s pupils are larger than normal and they are also exhibiting other cocaine overdose symptoms, get them medical help immediately.

5. Chest Pain

Chest pain is another common cocaine overdose symptom. It might feel like a tightness or pressure in the chest and can be accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. The person will likely feel like they are suffocating and need to take deep breaths.

Combining Cocaine With Other Dangerous Substances

Using cocaine just once could lead to an overdose. The more cocaine you use, and the more frequently you use it, the higher the risk of an overdose. That risk also increases if you combine cocaine with other dangerous substances like drugs or alcohol. Similarly, individuals may misjudge how much cocaine their body’s system can handle.

Many people fail to understand just how potent and fast-acting cocaine is, which leads to overdose. Also, when individuals relapse, their body has adjusted to having the drug out of its system. When individuals relapse and use an amount they are familiar with, they can easily overdose.

Responding to Cocaine Overdose Symptoms

If you spot the signs of a cocaine overdose, it is critical to get help immediately. Then, you can look for a cocaine addiction rehab center in Jacksonville. At Beaches Recovery, clients can start to work past cocaine addiction once and for all using the following methods:

• EMDR therapy
• PTSD therapy
• Trauma therapy
• Art and fitness therapy
• Behavioral therapy
• Individual and group counseling

Get the Help You Need From Beaches Recovery

It’s important to remember that cocaine overdoses are serious and potentially life-threatening. If you see any of these signs, or if someone has taken too much cocaine and is struggling with dehydration, breathing difficulty, or any other adverse effect, seek medical help right away. It could save their life.

Learning to recognize cocaine overdose symptoms could save a life. At Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida, clients have the tools they need to transform their lives and find fulfillment. Call 866.605.0532 to learn more about cocaine addiction rehab.