Cocaine Addiction: Signs & Symptoms of Cocaine Use
These may include physical or behavioral symptoms—most likely both. These common physical signs of opioid use or addiction can be seen when a person has recently used opioids, but might also become more common as a side effect of long-term opiate use. Addiction is a difficult disorder for people of all ages, but teens face specific challenges when dealing with substance abuse. Substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and illicit drugs cause physical changes in the body, which is especially concerning for teens who are still growing and developing. Our mission is to provide comprehensive, compassionate care to people of all ages with mental health conditions. UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is a nationally recognized leader in mental health clinical care, research, and education.
- Substituted cathinones, also called “bath salts,” are mind-altering (psychoactive) substances similar to amphetamines such as ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine.
- Any drastic change in behavior may be a sign of drug addiction or another mental health issue.
- Recognizing that you have a problem is the first step on the road to recovery, one that takes tremendous courage and strength.
- The severity of addiction is only partially related to the amount of substance a person uses.
- Long-term abuse of alcohol can lead to chronic diarrhea and even vomiting blood.
- If you do start using the drug, it’s likely you’ll lose control over its use again — even if you’ve had treatment and you haven’t used the drug for some time.
Nearly 30,000 youth aged out of foster care in Fiscal Year 2009, which represents nine percent of the young people involved in the foster care system that year. This transition can be challenging for youth, especially youth who have grown up in the child welfare system. Don’t get so caught up in someone else’s drug problem that you neglect your own needs. Make sure you have people you can talk to and lean on for support. You often do drugs or use more than you planned, even though you told yourself you wouldn’t. You need to use more of the drug to experience the same effects you used to attain with smaller amounts.
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If your drug use is out of control or causing problems, get help. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery. Talk with your health care provider or see a mental health provider, such as a doctor who specializes in addiction medicine signs of drug use or addiction psychiatry, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. As an individual’s use progresses, whether recreationally or medically, the same physical tolerance develops. In certain people, their use of opioids will develop into full-blown addiction.
The method of drug use will also affect which physical signs a person experiences. For example, a person with an opioid addiction may experience excessive fatigue, while a person with a cocaine addiction may experience extreme insomnia. While illicit drug use among teens is lower today than it was at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of adolescents still experience addiction. Over 14 percent of all Americans age 12 and older have used cocaine in their lifetimes, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports. Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that increases energy levels and keeps people awake while raising heart rate and blood pressure.
Signs of Cocaine Use & Addiction
Unfortunately, this has the effect of passively enabling the unhealthy behaviors. At this age, a friend’s opinion has power, so it’s more important than ever to keep the lines of communication open with your son or daughter, rather than relying on their friends to intervene. Social, emotional and mental isolation are common signs that someone needs help for a drug or alcohol addiction. People who face a substance use disorder may isolate themselves from their partners, friends or family members to keep their addiction a secret. They’ll try to avoid questions about unexplained physical changes, like track marks or weight loss, or odd behaviors. What’s portrayed in movies, on TV, online and in music can also help shape perceptions about alcohol and drug addiction.
