Monday, August 8, 2016

Cocaine addiction

How to Tell if a Loved One is Suffering from a Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is a highly addictive white powdered stimulant that was extremely popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Although cocaine use has declined in recent years but that does not mean that it is not still a threat.
Unfortunately, unlike other drugs, it is difficult to tell if someone is suffering from a cocaine addiction. There are however, some outward signs that you might notice if you suspect that a loved one is also a cocaine addict.

 Physical signs of an Addiction to Cocaine

There are a few outward signs of a cocaine addiction although the addiction must be severe if these signs appear. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these signs are:

•    Weight loss
•    Shaking and twitching
•    Lack of appetite
•    Sleeping for long periods after being out or away
•    Nosebleeds
•    Constant sniffing as if they have a chronic cold
•    Track marks from injecting cocaine
•    Sallow, pale, or gaunt appearance

Each of these signs might or might not appear depending on how long your loved one was using. Severe users will show more symptoms than a casual user. If your loved one is showing these symptoms, there is a good chance they are suffering from a cocaine addiction.

Social and Behavioral Signs of Cocaine Use and Addiction

Many of the social and behavioral signs of cocaine abuse are similar to those of drug addiction in general. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the outward signs of drug addiction, particularly cocaine addiction are:

•    Spending large amounts of money with nothing to show for it, cocaine is expensive
•    Drug paraphernalia such pipes, straws, or needles
•    White powder on flat surfaces
•    Violent mood swings from nervousness to anger to guilt
•    Changes in behavior such as going out frequently or being secretive
•    Neglecting their appearance

These along with the physical symptoms can tell you if your loved one is in need of cocaine addiction treatment.