Cocaine Abuse
Alternate Names : Cocaine Addiction
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
The short-term symptoms of a normal dose of cocaine are as follows:
energetic, talkative, restless behavior
euphoria, or an intense high
increase in heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure
mental alertness, especially to sight, sound, and touch
temporary decrease in the need for food and sleep
In larger doses of several hundred milligrams or more, cocaine may cause these additional symptoms:
bizarre, erratic, and violent behavior
muscle tremors or twitches
paranoia
vertigo, or a sense that the room is spinning around
Following are some of the signs and symptoms of regular cocaine abuse:
auditory hallucinations, or hearing sounds that don't exist
inability to give up cocaine use, despite awareness of its real or possible negative effects
large amount of time spent in activities associated with getting cocaine
neglected daily routine
paranoid thinking and problems with reality testing
restlessness, anxiety, or irritability
tolerance to the drug so that more and more of the drug is needed to produce the desired effect
weight loss
Cocaine withdrawal may occur when the person voluntarily stops the drug or is unable to get a dose. Withdrawal symptoms include:
anxiety,
irritability, and isolation
fatigue
headache
intense hunger
muscle tremors and cramps
nightmares and other sleep disorders
severe depression
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