The Development and Danger of Cocaine Dependence
If you or a loved one are using cocaine, there is a potential risk that cocaine dependence will develop. Cocaine is a highly addictive drug, and once a person becomes addicted, chances are they will require treatment to recover from the effects of the drug. The longer cocaine is used, the quicker tolerance will build and dependence for it can develop. A dependency on cocaine can lead to a serious addiction problem, including physical and psychological complications.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, cocaine can affect the body various ways. It constricts blood vessels, dilates pupils, and increases body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. It can also cause headaches and gastrointestinal complications such as abdominal pain and nausea.
What are the Dangers of Developing Cocaine Dependence?
Developing a dependence for cocaine can affect a person in many dangerous ways. It can affect their life socially, their health physically and emotionally. When a user repeatedly uses cocaine, addiction can set in and take control of how a person acts, behaves and feels. It can produce many negative side-effects that often leaves a user feeling regretful afterwards. Many of the dangers of developing a dependency to cocaine include:
- Tolerance and dependence can lead to taking larger amounts of cocaine more often just to feel the same initial effect. Using the drug occasionally can still lead to dependence, especially if you take large doses. Cocaine dependence can affect you both physically and psychologically.
- Spending too much money on it. Cocaine is an expensive drug, and once you start craving the drug, and feeling like you cannot function without it, you start spending money that may be for other financial obligations, and buy cocaine instead.
- Your personality can change. If you do not get cocaine, you may start acting hostile and feel irritable. This can have a negative effect on your relationships at home, work or school.
- You may experience withdrawal symptoms when you run out of cocaine or when you try to stop using it. Leading you to get more in order to feel better.
- Dependency leads into an addiction problem and can cause you to start seeking the drug no matter the costs or consequences. This can mean spending all your money, stealing money to buy it, and getting in trouble just because you need to get more.
Cocaine dependence is dangerous, not only can it cause negative side effects that can affect you both physically and emotionally, but it can result in death. An overdose of cocaine at any moment can cause a stroke, heart attack, coma or death.
Seeking Treatment for Overcoming a Dependence to Cocaine
The best way to avoid health complications is to stop using cocaine. However, suddenly stopping can be hard for some users. It can be difficult for many to function for the day without using it. The withdrawal symptoms that some users experience can cause anxiety and depression. They can experience mood swings and act aggressive towards others. The safest way to stop using cocaine and end the dependence to it, is to seek professional treatment.
Cocaine dependence can also lead to various health problems, including an overdose that can cause death. If you or a loved one are dependent on cocaine to function properly, then it is best to seek help soon before any fatal consequences result from using it. Talk to an addiction specialist to get the help and guidance you need to safely stop drug use, and live a healthier lifestyle.