Cocaine overdose can trigger several potentially life-threatening complications, including heart attack, stroke, and seizure.

Cocaine (also known as coke or crack cocaine)[9] is an illegal stimulant narcotic made from the processed leaves of the coca plant indigenous to South America. Classified under Schedule II of the CSA (Controlled Substances Act)[1,2], cocaine has some medical utility but also carries a high risk of abuse and addiction.

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Can You Overdose on Cocaine?

Powdered cocaine is snorted or injected. Freebase cocaine, also known as crack, is a smokable form of cocaine that delivers an even more intense and shorter-lived high. Regardless of the route of delivery, using cocaine increases dopamine release in the brain’s pleasure systems [3]. Regardless of the route of delivery, overdose is possible with all forms of cocaine.

According to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse)[4], cocaine overdose occurs when blood concentration levels of the substance are raised to toxicity. This causes adverse physical reactions as the drug effectively poisons your system.

Dosage is a significant risk factor in cocaine overdose. Some reported overdoses occurred with dosages as low as a few hundred milligrams, while other cocaine users may consume several grams without experiencing an overdose. It’s difficult to determine the exact amount of cocaine that may trigger an overdose as toxicity levels depend on the individual and their susceptibility to the toxins in cocaine.

Mixing cocaine with other addictive substances – particularly heroin or alcohol – also increases the chance of a fatal overdose. This is known as polydrug use and significantly heightens the risk. In fact, data shows that nearly three-quarters (72.7%) of cocaine-involved overdose deaths in 2017 also involved an opioid. Synthetic opioids, in particular, have been identified as a major driver of the increase in cocaine-related overdose deaths [8].

In addition to the dosage and polydrug use, the purity of the drug influences the risk profile for cocaine overdose. The quality and purity of cocaine significantly impact the likelihood of a deadly overdose. With the ongoing fentanyl crisis, as much as 75% of black market drugs are contaminated with fentanyl, an extremely lethal substance [6]. Furthermore, law enforcement drug seizures reveal that approximately 40% of all pills containing fentanyl contain a deadly dose [7]. This widespread contamination drastically increases the risk of a fatal overdose for those using cocaine.

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What Happens During a Coke Overdose?

Ingesting cocaine (aka coke) exerts stimulant effects, accelerating body functions. When cocaine enters your CNS (central nervous system), this increases your heart rate, core body temperature, and blood pressure levels. Cocaine also impacts cognitive function, mood, and the digestive system.

During cocaine overdose (also known as coke overdose), these effects can reach levels that are acutely damaging, both short-term and long-term. Cocaine overdose can place such a burden on your cardiovascular system that it triggers organ failure, internal bleeding, or heart attack.

Cocaine overdose can also bring about severe neurological damage as the result of ruptured blood vessels in the brain or seizures.

If you suspect an overdose, whether in yourself or a loved one, it should be considered a medical emergency. Call 911 for immediate assistance from emergency responders.

How do you know if someone has overdosed on cocaine?

Overdose Symptoms

Look out for any of these physical cocaine overdose symptoms:

• Raised blood pressure levels
• High body temperature
• Agitated movements
• Restlessness
• Relentless energy
• Teeth grinding
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Accelerated heart rate
• Tremors
• Chest pain
• Sweating
• Incontinence
• Breathing difficulties
• Blue tinge to the skin
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures

Also, monitor these psychological indicators of a cocaine overdose:

• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Confusion
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Delirium

Signs of Cocaine Overdose

Knowing the signs of cocaine & coke overdose can be incredibly important in an emergency situation, and could save your or someone else’s life. If you notice that someone is exhibiting signs and symptoms of a cocaine overdose, it’s important to seek medical treatment immediately or call an ambulance if the person is unresponsive.

Monitor for any of these physical symptoms of a cocaine overdose:

• Rapid heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Dilated pupils
• Excessive sweating
• Difficulty breathing
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Chest pain

Remember, if you suspect someone is experiencing a cocaine overdose, seek immediate medical attention by calling an ambulance or 911 for help.

Treatment for Cocaine Overdose

In addition to summoning immediate medical assistance, you can perform these steps to mitigate cocaine (or coke) overdose:

1.  List the following details for the emergency response team: how much cocaine was used, any other substances in the system, the age of the person, any history of drug use, and any preexisting health conditions.
2.  Ensure the person is lying on their side to minimize the chances of choking and encourage proper breathing.
3.  Apply cold compresses to the person if they appear to be overheated.
4.  Make sure no sharp objects are near the person in case they have a seizure.
5.  Remain with the person overdosing on coke until the emergency responders arrive.

Regrettably, there is no cocaine overdose antidote. Successful interventions focus on treating the primary symptoms of a cocaine overdose rather than attempting to reverse the overdose itself.

In a hospital setting, treatment for an overdose of coke usually begins with the administration of a sedative like Benzodiazepines. Sedatives can help reduce heart rate and blood pressure levels and calm any agitation or panic attacks.

Due to the strain cocaine overdose places on your vital organs, it is imperative not to overdose again. This can be challenging due to the fiercely addictive nature of cocaine, but we can help you address the physical and psychological components of cocaine addiction.

Find Effective Cocaine Rehab at Gratitude Lodge

While there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for cocaine addiction treatment, this should not deter you from seeking help and engaging with evidence-based therapies.

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)[5] recommends the following behavioral interventions for the treatment of stimulant use disorders like cocaine:

• CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)
• DBT (dialectical behavior therapy)
• CM (contingency management)

Before you engage with therapy, though, you’ll first need to detox from cocaine. We can help you with a supervised medical detox here at Gratitude Lodge. Choose from one of our three Californian locations at San Diego, Long Beach, or Newport Beach and streamline your cocaine detox.

After a week or so, you will be ready to engage with inpatient treatment at one of our luxury rehab centers.

If you have a co-occurring mental health disorder like anxiety or depression, we offer integrated dual-diagnosis treatment programs.

When you are ready to move from active cocaine addiction into ongoing recovery, reach out to Gratitude Lodge at 844-576-0144.

Sources

[1] https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling

[2] https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/csa

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425246/

[4] https://nida.nih.gov/

[5] https://www.samhsa.gov/

[6] https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/adderall-stimulants-and-modafinil-for-adhd-short-and-long-term-effects

[7] https://www.goodrx.com/adderall/adderall-overdose

[8] https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/polysubstance-overdose.html

[9] https://www.gratitudelodge.com/signs-of-drug-use/stimulant/sndri/cocaine/cocaine-addiction/