Chronic use of cocaine causes several physical health problems and can increase the risk of mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Despite its dangers, cocaine remains common in party and social settings, with over 1 million Americans aged 12 and older reporting past-year use in recent surveys [1].
Cocaine contributed to over 500,000 emergency room visits in the U.S., and is linked to about 40% of all drug-related ER cases. This is due to complications such as heart attacks and strokes triggered by sudden spikes in blood pressure and arrhythmias, as well as seizures and respiratory failure [2].
Read on to understand more of the long-term effects of cocaine and how they impact your health.
Understanding Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine is an illicit stimulant that increases activity in the central nervous system. It is most commonly snorted, but can also be smoked. Although most people understand that cocaine is highly addictive, nearly 1,800 Americans experiment with this drug each day, and around 1.5 million Americans struggle with cocaine use disorder [1].
Cocaine stimulates the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain, which increases energy, sensory perception, and is associated with pleasure and reward. The effects of cocaine are almost instant and typically last a few minutes to an hour.
Many users downplay the risks because of the cocaine overdose death toll, around 27,500 in 2022, compared to fentanyl’s 70,000+. This fosters a false sense of safety and ignores the long-term toll it has on physical health [2].
How Does Cocaine Damage Your Health?
Cocaine affects several major organ systems in the body through its stimulating effects that increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, or serious infections.
Cardiovascular System
Heart attack is the leading cause of death among cocaine users, with one study showing it accounted for 25% of deaths in adults aged 18 to 45 who use cocaine. Cocaine increases heart rate, blood pressure, and constricts blood vessels in the brain and body, which is often why users feel increased energy, anxiety, and shakiness or restlessness [3].
Long-term cocaine abuse affects the cardiovascular system in several ways, including:
- Blood clots lead to stroke, heart attack, deep vein thrombosis
- Chronic chest pain from the tightening of the vessels
- Death of the heart muscle from lack of oxygen
Sinuses and Respiratory System
Snorting cocaine (the most common method of consumption) causes mucous membrane damage throughout the sinus cavity in the nose and throat. In some long-term cocaine users, the lack of blood flow and dried-out soft tissues in the nose can cause cartilage death and lead to septal perforations (collapse of the nose structure and a hole in the nose that makes it hard to breathe) [4].
For those who smoke cocaine, particularly crack cocaine, blood vessels in the lungs constrict and destroy alveolar walls, making it harder for oxygen to enter the bloodstream. People who abuse crack cocaine long-term can develop “crack lung,” or eosinophilic pneumonitis. Symptoms include black mucus, cough, wheezing, chest pain, and an increased white blood cell count.
Infections
People who struggle with cocaine addiction are more likely to develop infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. Sometimes it’s due to sharing needles, although in the case of cocaine and stimulants, it’s often due to poor decision-making, increased risk-taking, and enhanced sex drive, which often leads to risky sexual encounters [5].
Chronic cocaine use also damages immune cells, making users more vulnerable to viruses, infections, and slower wound healing.
Gastrointestinal Tract
By reducing blood flow throughout the body, several major organ systems are affected, including the stomach, intestines, liver, and even kidneys.
Short-term side effects of cocaine use include stomach upset, reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. In long-term cocaine addicts, tissue in the bowels can become necrotic and are more likely to develop ulcers due to changes in the pH of stomach acid [6].
Liver and Kidney Damage
Long-term cocaine use increases the risk of injury to the liver as the body is quickly flooded with toxins that the liver struggles to filter out. Chronic liver damage often occurs when cocaine is mixed with alcohol, which also increases aggression and adds stress on the heart.
Kidneys are also affected by cocaine in two ways. Cocaine permanently increases blood pressure and leads to loss of blood flow in the kidneys. Long-term cocaine abuse is also linked to rhabdomyolysis, a condition that causes the skeletal muscles to break down and release excess proteins such as myoglobin into the bloodstream [6].
Brain and Mental Health
Cocaine constricts blood vessels in the brain and can reduce the level of oxygen the brain receives, increasing the risk of serious complications such as mini strokes, seizures, and brain aneurysms. Studies of long-term cocaine addicts have found significant cerebral atrophy, particularly in frontal, temporal, and parietal regions, linked to chronic use [7].
This can affect functioning such as problem-solving, learning, memory, and emotional regulation. Cocaine use is also linked to increased risk of mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety due to increased activity of the nervous system and dysregulation of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin [7].
Evidence-Based Cocaine Use Disorder Treatment in Kansas
At Avalon Wellness & Recovery, we offer whole-person care using somatic therapies, nervous system regulation, and mindful practices designed to help clients reconnect with their bodies and reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol. Our wellness services, such as infrared sauna, steam rooms, and cold plunge therapy, can ease symptoms of cocaine withdrawal, such as anxiety, depression, and restlessness.
If you’re struggling with cocaine use, contact our admissions team today to discover how our integrative approach to substance use, mental health, and trauma recovery can support you or a loved one to live a substance-free lifestyle.
Sources
[1] Sofuoglu, M. et al. (2022). Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD): Current Clinical Perspectives. Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 13, 25–46.
[2] UNODC. 2023. Global Report on Cocaine 2023.
[3] Suri, M. F. (2014). Cocaine use and the likelihood of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality: data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Mortality Follow-up Study. Journal of vascular and interventional neurology, 7(1), 76–82.
[4] Rubin, K. 2013. The manifestation of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions in bone tissue and its identification in human skeletal remains. Forensic Science International.
[5] Medical Discovery News. 2016. Cocaine and HIV Infection.
[6] Fineschi, V. et al. (2012). Side effects of cocaine abuse: multiorgan toxicity and pathological consequences. Current medicinal chemistry, 19(33), 5624–5646.
[7] Nestler, J. (2005). The neurobiology of cocaine addiction. Science & practice perspectives, 3(1), 4–10.