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Cocaine Overdose
One of the most dangerous aspects of cocaine use is the high risk of cocaine overdose. The most common symptoms of a cocaine overdose include rapid heartbeat and hyperventilation. These reactions are often accompanied by a feeling of impending death. Although most people survive, several thousand die due to complications from cocaine abuse and overdose. All forms of cocaine and crack use have been linked with heart failure in users. This also includes otherwise healthy users.
Sniffing cocaine can result in an overdose. It is called an overdose when the effects of the cocaine turn out badly or when the used dose is lethal. Both are possible when sniffing cocaine. When the effects of the cocaine turn out badly, the user feels restless, anxious and suspicious. Sometimes the user feels so suspicious that it can turn into paranoid delusions. For example, users may be afraid that they are being followed.
However, a cocaine overdose can be worse and lead to heart and respiratory problems resulting in death, especially with intravenous use and smoking or basing cocaine. When cocaine is injected, death can follow very fast, even after only a few minutes. Smoking or basing can also have the same effects. Fortunately, a lethal overdose is fairly uncommon.
The causes of a fatal cocaine overdose are:
- Disturbance of the heart and blood vessel system. An overdose can lead to a strong irregular functioning of the heart, and eventually failure of the heart. It can cause high blood pressure, and as a result, bleeding in the brain leading to a greater possibility of death by brain hemorrhage.
- Repeated convulsions, which can happen in such quick succession that consciousness cannot be restored.
- Respiratory problems resulting in respiratory failure.
A cocaine overdose is sometimes done intentionally to commit suicide or as self-harm. However, many drug overdoses are accidental and are usually the result of irresponsible behavior, cocaine use after a period of abstinence, and/or unexpected purity of the cocaine consumed.
There are a lot of differences in toxic or deadly doses when it comes to cocaine overdose. Some users stay alive after using a few grams while others who are allergic to cocaine can die of a small dose. The exact amount of cocaine that causes an overdose varies from person to person and depends on a variety of factors including physical condition and possible diseases. Obviously, heart problems or a blood vessel disorder in the brain increase the risk of an overdose. The combination of cocaine with other narcotics or alcohol can increase the risks as well. Therefore, it is difficult to determine a standard for a too high dosage, also because cocaine is often cut up.
Cocaine overdose can also take place when the user ingests more than one type of drug at a time. In fact, mixing cocaine with other substances makes using cocaine more likely to be fatal. The most common cause of death from cocaine overdose is respiratory failure. Respiratory failure due to a cocaine overdose is more common when a depressant drug such as heroin has been taken in addition to using cocaine. This combination is known as a speedball. Cocaine is also particularly dangerous when mixed with alcohol. Combining the two drugs creates a substance known as cocaethylene, which strengthens the high of cocaine and increases the risk of sudden death in the user.
Cocaine is often "cut" with various adulterants. This increases the user's risk of a cocaine overdose since the purity of cocaine is difficult to determine. An overdose from cocaine can cause a serious increase in blood pressure which may lead to bleeding in the brain and to a higher possibility for a stroke. An overdose can cause heart and respiratory problems resulting in death.
Symptoms of cocaine overdose may include some or all of the following:
- Brain hemorrhage
- Dangerous or fatal rise in body temperature
- Death
- Delirium
- Heart attack
- Kidney failure
- Repeated convulsions
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Tremors
Diagnosis of a cocaine overdose in a patient is generally straightforward if the drug is known. However, it can be very difficult if the patient cannot (or refuses to) state what drug they have overdosed on. At times, certain symptoms and signs exhibited by the patient or blood tests can reveal the drug in question. Even without knowing the drug, most patients can be treated with general supportive measures.
Someone who is suffering from a cocaine overdose will display symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, muscle cramps, seizures, paranoia, psychosis, confusion, loss of control of movement, vomiting, lack of consciousness, and possibly cardiac arrest. It can also result in a fatal condition known as excited delirium.
First aid in these cases involves staying with the person and helping them to remain calm. Move them to a quiet area, and where possible, apply a wet cloth to their neck or forehead. If unconscious, place them in the recovery position and call an ambulance.
