Is cocaine affecting your life or the life of a loved one to the point where you’re concerned about the possibility of an overdose?
Overdoses are not uncommon in Arizona. According to the CDC, Arizona had 2,730 drug overdose deaths in 2020. While opioids are responsible for many of these deaths, cocaine is still a concern. Cocaine often makes its way into the states through the U.S.-Mexico border, making it highly accessible in Arizona. Sadly, much of today’s supply is laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl increases the risk of overdose as people will take too much, believing they are only ingesting cocaine.
At Wolf Creek Recovery, we offer substance use treatment for cocaine use disorders. To help clients manage their cravings and withdrawal symptoms, we teach them a wide range of healthy coping tools, including keeping active with outdoor and recreation therapy. Let’s learn more about cocaine overdose, how it happens, the signs and symptoms to be on alert for, and how to respond.
What is a Cocaine Overdose?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, cocaine overdose occurs when blood concentration levels of the substance are raised to toxic levels. When this happens, the body is essentially poisoned and physical reactions can occur. It’s important to note that mixing cocaine with other substances can significantly increase the risk of overdose.
For instance, cocaine and alcohol place stress on the heart due to the toxicity of the cocktail. Cocaine and heroin, also known as a “speedball,” can also be extremely dangerous. The interactions between the two create a game of push-and-pull, where they mask each other’s effects and cause a false sense of security. This imbalance can lead to overdose and death.
Early Warning Signs of a Potential Cocaine Overdose
Would you recognize the symptoms of a cocaine overdose if it were happening right in front of you?
While this scenario will hopefully never become a reality, knowing what to do could save a life. It can take just minutes to die from a cocaine overdose, making medical intervention crucial. By recognizing the early warning signs of a potential overdose, you can intervene and give the person a better chance for survival.
Signs and Symptoms Of Cocaine Overdose
The signs and symptoms of a cocaine overdose include:
- Rapid heart rate
- Dilated pupils
- Anxiety or panic
- Excessive sweating
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Raised blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Seizures or convulsions
Dangers of An Overdose
An overdose from any substance can be life-threatening, but even people who survive can still suffer long-term cocaine effects, such as brain damage, heart problems, and depressive symptoms. The body needs immediate attention when an overdose occurs, otherwise systems in the body can shut down.
The main concern with a cocaine overdose is the heart. Cocaine places extreme stress on the cardiovascular system and can cause a sudden heart attack or stroke. People who experience chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or heart palpitations should call 911 right away.
Cocaine overdose can also bring about neurological complications as a result of ruptured blood vessels in the brain and seizures. There have also been cases involving kidney failure, hypothermia, brain hemorrhage, or stroke.
Responding To An Overdose
An overdose from cocaine requires medical attention, as it can become life-threatening rather quickly, and there is no way to reverse the overdose. However, it’s important to note that it’s common for cocaine to contain fentanyl and opioids, and the person may not be aware of this. Therefore, it’s possible that administering naloxone can help if cocaine does contain an opioid.
Here is what you can do to help a person stay safe during an overdose:
- Call 911 immediately. Stay with the person and keep calm so that you can listen to what the 911 operator says.
- If the person is not responsive and you can’t find a pulse, perform rescue breathing and/or chest compressions. This provides the brain with oxygen and stimulates blood circulation.
- If the person is having a seizure, make sure they are in an area and a position where they are safe and won’t injure themselves.
- Since cocaine is often mixed with fentanyl, pay attention to signs of opioid overdose (slow breathing, small pupils, unresponsiveness, blue skin). If you have access to naloxone, administer it now.
- Some people vomit during an overdose. If this happens, lay the person on their side to keep the airway clear and prevent choking.
Who is Most At Risk for Cocaine Overdose?
Ingesting cocaine accelerates body functions, increasing heart rate, core body temperature, and blood pressure. If cocaine levels get too high, they can place a significant burden on your cardiovascular system, triggering organ failure, internal bleeding, and heart attack or stroke. Therefore, anyone who uses cocaine can experience an overdose. However, certain individuals may be at a higher risk for overdose than others.
Risk Factors For Cocaine Overdose
The way you respond to a drug depends on many factors, such as your age, body size, and genetics. This is why one person may be able to use cocaine in high amounts and another person can’t. With this in mind, anyone can overdose on cocaine. However, certain factors make an overdose more likely, such as:
- Binging cocaine (taking a lot of cocaine in a short time)
- Combining cocaine with other substances, such as alcohol or heroin
- Using cocaine frequently, as the drug gradually builds up in the body
- Having an underlying health condition, such as heart problems, breathing problems, or seizures
As mentioned above, today’s cocaine is often cut with other substances, and this includes opioids like fentanyl. Even if the cocaine doesn’t cause an overdose, the opioid still can. Unless you test cocaine for purity, it’s impossible to know what other substances you could be ingesting.
Understanding The Common Signs Of Cocaine Overdose
The number of deaths from cocaine overdose has risen in the U.S., with roughly 24,500 deaths in 2021. While cocaine receives less attention than other substances, it’s still a concern for Arizona residents. To recap, here are the most common signs of an overdose from cocaine:
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Rise in heart rate
- High body temperature
- High blood pressure
- Sweating
- Breathing difficulties
- Psychosis or paranoia
- Agitation or irritability
- Seizures
- Tremors
Treatment Options for Cocaine in Prescott, AZ
There are currently no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of cocaine use disorder, though pharmacologic treatments are being explored. However, at this time, none have met the requirements for FDA approval. We hope that in the future, there will be medications available.
For now, there are several effective evidence-based treatments for cocaine use disorder, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and community reinforcement. Supplemental therapies and treatments, such as meditation, exercise, and mindfulness, can also help promote abstinence.
Wolf Creek Recovery is here for you when you are ready to start recovery. Whether you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one, you can expect a warm welcome when you arrive at our treatment center. Our staff is also in recovery, so we understand the unique challenges that people in recovery face. We also know the difference that the right treatment can make. Contact us today at 833-732-8202 to learn about the next steps to recovery.
FAQs About Cocaine Overdose
What causes a cocaine overdose?
When cocaine enters the body, it stimulates the central nervous system, causing increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. During a cocaine overdose, these effects can become damaging, placing stress on the cardiovascular system.
How much cocaine is too much?
There is no “set” amount of cocaine that a person needs to take to experience an overdose. It all depends on the individual (their weight, age, metabolism), how frequently they use the drug, whether the drug was mixed with other substances, and other factors.
Is today’s cocaine stronger than in the past?
Some reports show that the purity of cocaine in North America is decreasing. However, it’s also being cut with other drugs, including fentanyl. This makes today’s cocaine more dangerous as people don’t know what they are getting.
What are the signs of cocaine overdose?
The signs of cocaine overdose include rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive sweating, severe headache, chest pain, and trouble breathing. If cocaine contains fentanyl, you may also notice slow breathing, cold, clammy skin, loss of consciousness, and vomiting.
What should I do if I think someone is overdosing on cocaine?
If you think that someone is experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately. Follow the instructions given by the 911 operator, which may include chest compressions or rescue breathing. If you suspect that the person is also experiencing an overdose from an opioid, you can administer naloxone, if you have access to it.
