The Dangers of Injecting Cocaine
Cocaine is a potent stimulant drug that is approved for medicinal use in the United States. While it can be used as an anesthetic, doctors tend to choose safer drugs. That said, most people who abuse cocaine are buying it from drug dealers, increasing the risk of adverse effects and overdoses.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), 27,788,000 people aged 12 or older have abused cocaine at some point in their lifetime.[1]
Repeated abuse of cocaine will lead to addiction. Over time, your body becomes tolerant of the drug. When snorting cocaine is no longer getting you high, you might consider other methods of administration- like injecting it.
While any method of cocaine abuse is dangerous, shooting it up leads to a whole new set of risks and dangers. You could develop infections from unsanitary needles, contract diseases from sharing needles, experience heart complications like a heart attack, or suffer from an overdose.
In this article, you will learn:
- Why people begin IV cocaine abuse
- What are the effects of shooting up cocaine
- What are the dangers of injecting cocaine
Why Do People Inject Cocaine?
Cocaine comes in powder form. It is usually white or off-white. Because it comes as a powder, most people snort the drug.
After repeated cocaine abuse, it is common to develop a tolerance. Snorting cocaine might not get you high anymore. As a result, you might try out new methods of administration, like injecting or smoking cocaine.
The main reasons people begin shooting up cocaine include:
- Enhancing the potency of the effects
- Saving money, as it requires less cocaine to experience a high
- To overcome a tolerance to cocaine
- To experiment with substance abuse and have a new experience with cocaine
- Because their friends inject it and they are curious about how it feels
If you or a loved one engages in IV cocaine abuse, you should consider addiction treatment. Long-term IV use of cocaine can lead to adverse side effects and the contraction of diseases like HIV /Hepatitis.
What are the Effects of Injecting Cocaine?
When you inject cocaine, the effects you experience are more potent than if you smoked or snorted it. While some people experience euphoria and pleasure, others deal with paranoia and erratic behavior.
The side effects of injecting cocaine might include:[2]
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- A rush of euphoria
- Respiratory issues like shortness of breath or chest pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dehydration
- Anxiety, panic, and paranoia
- Aggressive or erratic behavior
- Life-threatening seizures or brain damage
Injecting cocaine comes with a higher risk of experiencing an overdose. If you are suffering from cocaine addiction, you should seek help from a rehab center before you suffer from the short and long-term risks.
What are the Risks of Shooting Up Cocaine?
As mentioned, shooting up cocaine increases the potency. At the same time, it heightens your risk of experiencing the short and long-term dangers of cocaine abuse.
The most common risks of injecting cocaine include:
Infections and Diseases
When you are injecting a drug, you could develop abscesses, skin infections, and cellulitis. This occurs when the needle is not sterile and you are not properly caring for the injection site.
Over time, you might become less careful about how you use your needles. If you find yourself sharing needles with other people, you are at risk of developing blood-borne diseases like HIV or Hepatitis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “People who inject drugs account for about 1 in 10 HIV diagnoses in the United States.”[3]
Heart Complications
Using cocaine in any manner can damage your heart and lead to complications like heart attacks. When you are shooting it up, your risk is increased.
The possible heart complications associated with IV cocaine use include:[4]
- Arrhythmias
- Cardiomyopathy
- Acute myocardial infarction
- Coronary artery disease
- Hypertension
- Heart attack and stroke
- Cocaine-induced cardiotoxicity that leads to sudden death
Overdoses
Lastly, shooting up cocaine can lead to an overdose.
The signs of a cocaine overdose include:[5]
- Heightened body temperature and excessive sweating
- Increased heart rate and chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heart attack, seizures, and stroke
- Shaking and tremors
- Loss of consciousness
- Delirium and hallucinations
If you believe someone is overdosing on cocaine, contact 911 immediately. You cannot get arrested for drug possession when you are calling for emergency medical services, which means there is no reason to delay getting someone the help they need.
Find Help for IV Cocaine Abuse
If you or a loved one suffers from IV cocaine abuse, it’s time to seek professional help. Whether you are abusing powdered cocaine or crack cocaine, a drug rehab center can offer you the tools and support you need to get sober.
Once you complete an addiction treatment program, you can transition into a sober living home like New You. We offer a stable and sober environment for you to live in while you learn how to live independently without drugs and alcohol.
Contact us today for more information on our sober living housing program.
References:
- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Powdered Cocaine Fast Facts
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Cocaine
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Injection Drug Use
- MDPI: Acute and Chronic Effects of Cocaine on Cardiovascular Health
- Medscape: Cocaine Toxicity
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