Understanding the Symptoms of Cocaine Use Disorder
Cocaine use disorder is a destructive condition that touches every facet of a person’s life, from education to personal relationships. To overcome or help a loved one overcome their addiction, you need to understand the physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms.
Knowing how to identify the effects of cocaine use disorder will help you detect it early. The sooner those with cocaine use disorder receive drug addiction treatment, the easier recovery will be.
Understanding the symptoms of cocaine addiction also helps loved ones provide proper support and understanding to individuals struggling with addiction. This support is vital to long-lasting recovery in Sherman Oaks and the broader Los Angeles area.
The symptoms of cocaine use disorder can be broken down into four categories. Read on to learn the various signs in each category.
Appearance Changes
Some of the most apparent symptoms manifest in changes to appearance. Persons with cocaine use disorder may exhibit sudden weight loss alongside a decrease in appetite. Clammy, pale skin and dilated pupils are more subtle signs of cocaine addiction.
Unexpected nosebleeds and track marks from injections are other, more alarming signs of cocaine use disorder. While these symptoms are troubling, they can be hard to spot as nosebleeds can often be justified (falsely or not), and track marks can be hidden.
If you’re concerned about a loved one exhibiting these symptoms, pay close attention to other signs that may justify your assumption that they are dealing with cocaine addiction.
Health Impact
A symptom and consequence of cocaine abuse is health consequences. These range from mild to long-term effects and are one of the reasons why addiction treatment is so necessary.
Headaches, chest pain, chronic coughing and heart palpitations are a few of the most noticeable health issues caused by cocaine abuse. Cocaine provokes cardiovascular problems, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes, common long-term symptoms.
The longer you or a loved one wait to find addiction treatment for cocaine use disorder, the worse these health symptoms become and the higher the risk of life-threatening issues. Contact a Sherman Oaks treatment center to prevent further damage.
Mood and Personality Changes
Individuals with cocaine use disorder develop erratic mood swings that can alarm their loved ones and make it difficult for them to live a traditional life. These mood swings are common in situations that do not call for such reactions, making them easy to spot.
Cocaine addiction impairs an individual’s ability to manage stress and regulate emotions. As a result, individuals can become paranoid and exhibit increased anxiety toward situations that shouldn’t or otherwise don’t exist outside their minds.
These changes in mood and personality often have a destructive effect on personal relationships, serving individuals from the support networks they need. If you notice these mood changes, consider reaching out to an addiction treatment center for help.
Cognitive Alterations
Cocaine use disorder impairs a range of cognitive functions that make it difficult for individuals to engage with work or education meaningfully. These symptoms include difficulty with attention, memory and decision-making.
Specific symptoms of cognitive impairment from cocaine addiction include struggling with concentration, lapses in judgment or situational assessment, difficulty retaining information and decreased performance in otherwise proficient areas.
These symptoms make it difficult for individuals with cocaine use disorder to achieve their goals in work, preventing them from living a life that is meaningful to them.
Finding Relief from Cocaine Use Disorder
These behavioral, physical and psychological symptoms affect every aspect of a person’s life, straining relationships and preventing them from accomplishing goals. The more prolonged cocaine addiction is, the more damaging these symptoms become.
Twin Town Treatment Centers offer personalized addiction treatment that improves every area affected by the drug. Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) allows those struggling with cocaine abuse to receive treatment while maintaining their daily responsibilities.
Call Twin Town Treatment Centers at 866-594-8844 or contact us online to receive expert treatment and support for cocaine use disorder.
