Cocaine is produced from the coca plant native to South America. It has long been used by indigenous populations as a stimulant. Natives chewed the leaves for the psychoactive stimulant which helped them contend with their harsh, cold environment. Formerly added to patent tonics for its painkilling and energizing qualities, pure cocaine has now become the drug of choice of many drug abusers. As such, knowing the signs of cocaine abuse is crucial if you want to nip the problem in the bud before it worsens into addiction.
Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction can happen very quickly. It is likewise hard to break the dependency, though one Atlanta drug rehab program we commonly refer Callers to has been very successful at helping them beat addiction to cocaine.
Studies in scientific journals have shown that animals will exhaust themselves for a single dose of cocaine, opt for cocaine in lieu of food and drink, and take cocaine despite being punished for doing so.
In fact, animals must be denied access to cocaine or they are liable to load their systems with a toxic or perhaps lethal doses of this addictive drug.
People who abuse cocaine behave in like manner going to great lengths to obtain cocaine and taking it continuously even though it endangers their performance at school, at work or in their relationships.
Signs of Cocaine, Crack Abuse and Addiction
Physical Appearance of a Cocaine Addict or Abuser
- Glassy eyes
- Overly large pupils which are often hidden behind sunglasses.
- Raw or reddened nasal tissue if the abuser sniffs or snorts the drug.
- If they inject cocaine, you will observe needle marks on the ankles, behind the knees or in their arms.
- They’ll wear long sleeve shirts to cover up needle marks even when it’s hot outside.
- Burns on fingers of arms or on the mouth or scabs in these areas.
- Scabs from picking which can be seen on the face, arms or on their legs.
- Week or broken teeth.
- Loss of weight.
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
- Irritably or restless or otherwise erratic and anxious.
- Can’t sit still or relax. Cocaine users become nervous and aggressive.
- They scratch and itch their skin, picking at their legs, arms and their face.
- Sleeplessness for long periods of time.
- Extended sleep or “crash” as it’s called after a drug binge.
- Will repeat the same action again and again, fixing for example on cleaning or repairing something.
- Loss of interest in food. May experience little or no appetite.
- Can’t stick to one conversation. Tends to ramble, jumping from topic to topic.
- Sniffs constantly.
- Suffers from extreme thirst, constantly licking lips.
- May sweat intensely.
- Sudden alterations to weight or to appetite.
Cocaine paraphernalia you may find hidden or laying around the house.
Small plastic baggies containing a white powdery substance or a crystal-looking residue.
- Glass or steel pipes or pipes with a bulb at one end. Cocaine abusers also use antenna broken with small pieces of steel wool on them.
- Hypodermic needles.
- Empty soft drink cans with small holes with burn marks.
- Powerful lighters with an intense jet flame
The signs noted above do not in all cases indicate that your loved one is abusing cocaine. But they may and they should alert you to the possibility. The sooner you get help from a drug rehab in Georgia program for a person addicted to cocaine, the better. Don’t ignore the obvious signs of cocaine abuse.
