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The effects of cocaine on the body can be extremely detrimental to one’s health and daily functioning. Some of these effects include permanent damage, addiction and abuse, and possible death. Each person is different and cocaine’s ability to damage the body is different also. However, it is proven that cocaine abuse is dangerous nonetheless. There are a variety of short-term and long-term effects that cocaine has on the body.
Short-term effects include:
Increased blood pressure
Constricted blood vessels; dilated pupils
Mental alertness
Increased heart rate
Increased energy
Increased body temperature
Decreased appetite
The short-term effects of cocaine are typically strong enough for someone who uses it for the first time to become hooked. The immediate “high” from cocaine keeps individuals who it feeling energetic and with higher endurance. New users may even attempt to increased productivity at work and in other areas of life. These “positive” effects in the beginning can quickly turn to a dangerous addiction with higher tolerance to the drug and negative consequences that follow repeated cocaine usage. When taken in large quantities individuals can become violent and display erratic behaviors. Long-term cocaine effects can lead to major medical complications and health issues.
Long-term effects include:
Heart disease
Respiratory failure
Seizures
Gastrointestinal problems
Paranoia
Irritability
Restlessness
Auditory hallucinations
Mood disturbances
Many long-term users find themselves taking more and more of the drug in order to “chase the high” that they felt when they first used the drug. For people who are addicted to the drug, this original high will never be felt and death may be a result if too much is consumed. Substance abuse treatment is recommended for individuals who find themselves caught up in addiction to cocaine.
