Updated May 30, 2024. Content medically reviewed by Vicky Magobet, PMHNP-BC, on December 3, 2021.
Cocaine is an illegal stimulant that is very powerful and addictive. People who use cocaine experience an increase in dopamine in their brain circuits. This chemical messenger is usually released with movement and reward, which is one of the reasons cocaine can be so addicting. The brain's reward circuit reinforces substance misuse behaviors.
When naturally released, dopamine recycles back into the cells that release it. However, dopamine released from cocaine use cannot be recycled. The dopamine builds up instead, and the brain's reward circuit adapts to the current levels. More dopamine must be released in order for the person to feel the same reward. In other words, the user becomes less sensitive to the drug, otherwise known as building a tolerance for the substance. This effect often results in people taking stronger and more frequent doses — a cycle that can easily lead to a cocaine overdose.
A cocaine overdose occurs when someone has used too much of the drug in a short period of time. Sometimes, as little as a few milligrams can cause a cocaine overdose. The amount is dependent on the individual and the potency of the cocaine. When an overdose occurs, it causes the user's brain and body to shut down and stop working properly. Since cocaine is so addictive, it can be difficult for users to quit even when they are experiencing overdose-related symptoms.
Cocaine overdose symptoms relate to functions of the central nervous system, and they can often be extreme. What happens during a cocaine overdose is not the same for everyone. Symptoms can be both psychological and physical. Some of the signs of a cocaine overdose include:
If you believe that someone is showing cocaine overdose symptoms, it is crucial that you act quickly. The first thing you should do is seek professional medical attention. Call 911 and stay on the line, keeping an eye on the person who is experiencing the overdose.
Do as the operator instructs while you are waiting for help to arrive. You will likely need to turn the person on their side if they are experiencing nausea and vomiting or having a seizure. It is important to keep their airways clear. Loosen any tight clothing to help give their body more access to air, if necessary. If the person is having a seizure, make sure to clear the area of any objects that are sharp or at risk of falling on them.
Do your best to stay calm as you wait for help. Seizing and other symptoms can stop and start back up, so stay vigilant. If possible, monitor the person's pulse and breathing rates and check their blood pressure. If there are no signs of pulse or breathing, start CPR immediately and let the 911 operator know.
When medical help arrives, be honest with them about the person's cocaine use. Share as many details as possible, as this information could be lifesaving.
Sometimes, cocaine is interlaced with other drugs, like opioids. If you suspect that to be the case and have an overdose reversal medication on you, such as naloxone, you may consider administering it to the person. Naloxone does not reverse cocaine overdoses, but if the cocaine had any opioids in it, naloxone would help remove the effects of the opioid. Using the reversal medicine could help prevent dire overdose symptoms.
It is safe to administer naloxone to individuals if they are not experiencing an overdose due to opioids. The medicine will have no effect and not cause additional harm. Of course, approach the situation with caution and follow the instructions given by the 911 operator until medical professionals arrive at the scene.
In the short term, medical intervention is key when treating a cocaine overdose. Medical personnel will check the person's vitals and treat their specific symptoms. Treatment typically focuses on lowering the person's blood pressure and heart rate, often through a sedative. If the individual has an abnormally high body temperature as an overdose symptom, medical professionals may cool them using sedation, IV saline or ice packs.
For many people, an overdose is a wake-up call and a crucial sign that it's time to get help. Treatment often includes monitored detoxification to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. Therapy is also a critical part of treatment following a cocaine overdose.
As a stimulant, cocaine increases activity in the central nervous system. It can affect the brain, lungs and heart. During an overdose, the user may experience an increase in temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. The increase in temperature could lead to overheating and hyperthermia, which could potentially be fatal. The increase in heart rate could lead to fatal heart attacks and heart failure.
Other factors can contribute to a fatal overdose. Cocaine bought on the streets is often mixed with other drugs, such as fentanyl. This synthetic opioid has been linked to a high amount of overdose deaths.
There is no definitive amount of cocaine that can result in an overdose. It varies from person to person and depends on various factors. Some of these factors include:
Since there is no measurable amount of cocaine that causes an overdose, everybody is at risk when using the drug. However, long-term users face a higher risk. When a person's tolerance increases, they need to use more cocaine to feel a euphoric effect. They may start to take large amounts in a short period of time. This cycle puts these users in a dangerous position and causes their risk of an overdose to increase.
Prolonged cocaine use impacts a person's heart rhythm severely, putting them at a higher risk of heart attacks and heart failure. The drug also induces changes in the brain's chemistry, which can lead to permanent damage.
People addicted to cocaine are also more likely to intentionally mix the drug with other substances, like alcohol, to experience a more intense high. Alcohol is a downer, and cocaine is a stimulant. These substances have opposite effects on the body. Each one will heighten the impact of the other, increasing the danger of overdosing on cocaine or experiencing other overdose symptoms.
Diamond House Detox provides privacy while helping individuals detox and break free from their addictions. We understand the complexities of recovering from an addiction or overdose, so we provide an environment where individuals can receive the detox programs they need and still feel safe and comfortable while at the treatment center.
Our Diamond House Detox team wants the best for your loved one. Our team includes highly qualified, educated and trained medical professionals, such as certified and licensed drug and alcohol counselors, clinical therapists and nurses. All medical team members work together to provide a personalized treatment plan for clients, including ways to reduce stressors and triggers that cause clients to use substances in the first place.
When clients come to our treatment facility, we treat them kindly and respectfully, letting them know they are welcomed, accepted and loved. Our professionals work closely with them from beginning to end to ensure their recovery journey benefits them long-term. Even after a client graduates from their detox program, we continue reaching out to check on them and see how they're doing. We care about our clients' recovery journeys and do everything we can to ensure they continue to succeed.
After an overdose occurs and your loved one recovers, it is best to point them in the direction of help. If your loved one requires urgent treatment, please don't wait. You could prevent another overdose from happening. Call Diamond House Detox at 888 205-9455 or contact us online to learn more.
