How to Tell If Someone Is on Cocaine

Physical Signs & Indications

As previously mentioned, you will notice physical changes in a person’s appearance when using cocaine. Immediate effects of cocaine include dilated pupils, runny nose, lack of eating and sleeping, and talkative, hyper behavior. Over time you may notice weight loss, lack of hygiene, and more profound psychiatric symptoms, including aggression or suicidal thoughts.

The long-term effects of chronic cocaine use can be severe. Adverse effects include anxiety, panic attacks, reduced blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract, significant weight loss, malnourishment, permanent damage to the heart and cardiovascular system, increased risk of stroke, permanent damage to the nasal passageways, and a sharp decline in cognitive functioning.

Changes in Weight

In addition to cocaine suppressing one’s appetite, research has indicated that chronic cocaine use has profound metabolic changes, reducing the body’s ability to store fat. The University of Cambridge found that people who regularly used cocaine also engaged in a high-fat diet and lost weight during cocaine use. However, this becomes especially problematic because when cocaine use stops, people gain a significant amount of weight, a stressful side effect that may interfere with a person’s ability to maintain sobriety.

Dilated Pupils

Cocaine dilates the pupils, and people who use cocaine may be described as having “cocaine eyes” because of the appearance of the pupils after taking cocaine. While some common drugs make pupils appear smaller,  cocaine makes pupils appear larger.

When the pupils dilate, they become sensitive to light. Therefore, wearing sunglasses when it isn’t bright can indicate cocaine use. Apart from pupil enlargement and sensitivity to light, the eyes may also seem bloodshot or red.

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds occur with cocaine use due to the chemicals of cocaine and cutting agents irritating the membranes of the nose and drying the nasal passage out. In addition, cocaine causes the blood vessels to constrict, and when the effects of cocaine wear off, the blood vessels enlarge and then burst to cause a nosebleed. Not only does cocaine put a person at risk for nosebleeds, but it can lead to serious consequences such as permanent damage to the nose.

Behavioral Signs of Cocaine Use

Other behavioral signs include frequent legal trouble, stealing money or possessions, lying or secrecy, financial problems, impulsive or risky behavior, staying up all night, or increased irritability and aggression. People questioned about drug use may deny or lie about using drugs. They may act like it’s not a problem or will stop soon.

Helping Someone That Uses Cocaine

What do you do when someone you love is using cocaine and doesn’t want help?

Here are some helpful tips when you have a loved one who refuses to recognize they have a substance use disorder. Understand more about the problem, what you can do to take care of yourself, and how to communicate your feelings effectively to prevent conflict or rupture of the relationship.

Educate Yourself

Educating yourself on substance use can increase addiction awareness, find ways to communicate effectively, and understand the cycle of change so that you feel prepared to support your loved one through this process. Being informed on addiction can help us remain empathetic and compassionate, two necessary components in helping someone in their journey toward recovery.

Remain Compassionate and Empathetic

If you’ve never struggled with an addiction, this may be very difficult for you to do. You may have thought, “Why can’t you just stop?” However, some strategies can help you learn how to show compassion and empathy even if you have never experienced an addiction yourself.

Ways to Practice Compassion and Empathy:

• Practice self-compassion.
• Understand that many addictions happen because of trauma.
• Put yourself in their shoes and how it feels to be them.
• Imagine if this were a child feeling this way. Would you remain critical? How do you feel about the child? What does that child need?

Remember to Care For Yourself First

If you’re not prioritizing your health and well-being, you will most likely be unsuccessful in helping your loved ones. Take care of yourself before you can care for others. One meaningful way to care for yourself is by setting boundaries. It can be emotionally overwhelming and traumatic to love someone with a substance use disorder.

Giving yourself space and time away can help. Seek therapy for yourself. You can work with someone to help you cope with stress or join a support group. Recognize that there is only so much you can do. Ultimately, it’s up to your loved one to agree to treatment and do the work. Focus on what you have control over and what you need for peace.

What To Avoid When Talking to a Loved One About Cocaine Use

In addition to understanding what one should say or do to help a loved one seek treatment, here are some tips on what not to do. These actions will further strain the relationship, keep your loved one stuck in the cycle of addiction, increase risks of aggression or violence, and make your loved one less likely to seek help.

What Not to Do When Talking to Loved One with SUD:

• Do not lecture.
• Avoid blaming or making accusations.
• Do not argue with your loved one.