Can Cocaine Kill You?

Can Coke Actually Kill?

Cocaine is one of the most popular drugs globally. This dangerous drug is a potent stimulant that is highly addictive and can seriously affect your health. However, the psychostimulant has a reputation as a safe ‘party drug’ in some circles. But can cocaine kill you?

You might think that since South Americans chewed the coca plant leaves for thousands of years, a single line won’t kill. But every time you use cocaine, you risk your health and life. Cocaine overdose can and does happen.

Although some people believe cocaine is not deadly, cocaine use can be fatal. Make no mistake, the answer to can cocaine kill you is an emphatic yes. According to the CDC, approximately 24,538 people lost their lives from cocaine overdoses in the United States. Cocaine can cause death in varying ways, including overdose. Unfortunately, some people lose their lives the first time they use the drug.

If you or a loved one is trying to stop cocaine use, contact the professionals at Icarus Behavioral Health for information about effective cocaine treatment methods!

How Much Cocaine Does It Take to Overdose?

Cocaine is a potent psychostimulant with limited medical uses but is mainly found illegally. If you snort, inject, or smoke excess cocaine, you may experience a life-threatening overdose.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), cocaine overdose is caused by a person taking enough amounts of the drug to reach toxic levels in the system, causing a severe reaction. Cocaine can poison your body systems, and toxic levels aren’t dependent on dosage.

Most cocaine doses range from 30 to 70 mg. However, regular users with increased tolerance often increase quantities of daily consumption to above a gram of cocaine. The minimum cocaine dose that is considered fatal is 1.2 g. But hypersensitive users can suffer a lethal overdose from as little as 30 mg, making how much cocaine will kill you an impossible question to answer with a single amount.

It is crucial to note that in some rare instances of very high tolerance, some people report using about 5 g or more of cocaine daily, which would be fatal for most people.

Methods of Cocaine Use and Overdose Potential

The effects of cocaine largely depend on the route of administration. While snorting or smoking is the most popular route of administration for cocaine, injection offers the fastest high, making it the most dangerous route of use.

It is worth noting that other issues arise with IV drug use and that this way of taking cocaine comes along with other risks as well.

The Purity of Cocaine Varies

Other than the method of use and the amount of drug consumed, the possibility of overdosing depends on your tolerance levels, overall health, and the purity of the drug.

The purity of cocaine in the United States varies widely, typically from 30% to 80%. Drug dealers usually use other substances like baking powder and even synthetic opioids like fentanyl to cut cocaine for maximum profits.

What Makes Cocaine So Addictive?

Cocaine is a powdery substance derived from the coca plant leaves, which has been used for centuries to help boost energy and alertness by native South Americans. The processed form of the coca leaf, cocaine, is hazardous and highly addictive.

This stimulant drug causes feelings of intense euphoria and makes you stay alert, social, energetic, and hypersensitive to stimuli. However, cocaine’s effects quickly wear off, causing the cocaine comedown effect and increasing the risk of cocaine addiction and overdose.

What are the Warning Signs of a Cocaine Overdose?

If you consume too much cocaine, you may experience seizures and convulsions within three minutes, and the symptoms could last up to an hour. The primary goal of emergency medical technicians is to stabilize you and stop the seizures.

Lack of ample oxygen to the brain may lead to a coma, and failure to receive medical attention promptly can lead to death. Cocaine abuse that leads to overdose can cause damage to the central nervous system, lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, and reproductive organs. Significant damage can also be done to the cardiovascular system, as the heart struggles to keep pace with the increased blood flowing through your body. It is the risk of heart attack that causes the most increased risk of overdose or even sudden death.

Signs that someone might have used too much cocaine include:

Can Cocaine Kill You? Physical Symptoms of Cocaine Toxicity

• Chest pains
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Elevated heart rate
• Irregular heart rate
• Increased breathing rate
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Dizziness or fainting
• Twitches and tremors
• Excess energy

Can Cocaine Kill? Psychological Signs of Distress from Cocaine

• Intense mood swings
• Aggressive behavior
• Restlessness and irritability
• Insomnia
• Paranoia
• Delirium
• Panic attacks
• Anxiety

What to do in Case a Cocaine Overdose Occurs

If you suspect someone has overdosed after taking cocaine, you should first call 911 because cocaine overdose is a severe issue that needs immediate medical care. The emergency services operator will advise how to help the person suffering from an overdose as you wait for an ambulance.

Seizures are common in cocaine overdose situations. If you suspect your loved one or friend is seizing because of an overdose, don’t try restraining them or holding them in position. Instead, position them on their side on the floor and keep the person away from objects that may cause injury if the user is experiencing a seizure.

A cold compress can help reduce the body temperature. Also, observe the ABCs – Airway, Breathing, and Circulation as you wait for the ambulance and intervene when needed.

Even if the person partially recovers, don’t cancel the emergency medical treatment. Medical practitioners will take the individual to the emergency room and offer a wide range of medications and IV fluids to try and reverse the effects of the overdose.

Based on the severity of the cocaine overdose, one may stay at the hospital for multiple days before transitioning to rehab. Are you or a loved one struggling with cocaine addiction? Getting help soon will increase your chances of complete recovery.

Can Cocaine Kill You? Know the Risk Factors for Cocaine Overdose

Any cocaine user is at risk of overdose. But some of the primary factors that increase the risk of overdose include the following:

• Mixing cocaine with other drugs such as prescription drugs, opioids or amphetamines, and alcohol.
• Have an underlying lung, heart, or kidney issue
• Suffering from a co-occurring mental health disorder
• Binging on cocaine
• Suffering from cocaine use disorder or addiction
• Using cocaine when alone

Get Help for Cocaine at Icarus

Anytime you do cocaine, you risk an overdose, especially with the entrance of fentanyl into the drug supply. The only sure way to prevent cocaine overdose is to refrain from taking the drug. If you use cocaine and are unable to stop, you should seek help from our accredited and effective programs at Icarus.

Participating in a drug rehabilitation program is the best way of treating cocaine addiction and finding lasting recovery. At Icarus Behavioral Health, our cocaine rehab program is dedicated to our clients’ complete recovery. We offer comprehensive and individualized treatment plans to match your unique needs. Our team of compassionate addiction specialists is available to guide you through the recovery journey.

Call us today for a confidential discussion with a member of our Admissions team and get options that can help to change your life now!