Cocaine Overdose

Cocaine is probably one of the most abused stimulants. Cocaine is abused in many forms - crack, rock, speedball, coke and more. Cocaine abuse brings with it a host of lethal repercussions. There is no fixed amount of cocaine that is classified as a toxic dose, enough to cause an overdose. When combined with alcohol, cocaine abuse can be lethal.Cocaine is abused by injecting it intravenously or snorting it. Cocaine overdose can lead to heart and respiratory problems resulting in death.

Users experience a temporary feeling of euphoria and alertness. But over time it leads to cocaine dependence and addicts exhibit feelings of restlessness, anxiety and irritability. Often it triggers paranoia. Regular cocaine users suffer cold sweats, tremors or vertigo. Psychiatric effects such as paranoid schizophrenia and hallucinations are also common. The effects of cocaine overdose depend on the amount of cocaine taken, the manner in which the drug is taken and the purity of the cocaine. When cocaine overdose occurs, the heart and blood vessels are affected. Respiratory failure may occur and repeated convulsions may be noticed. Severe cases of cocaine overdose result in seizures, cardiac attacks, kidney failure and brain hemorrhage.

Drug Withdrawal

Drug dependence refers to compulsive use of a drug, not for medical reasons. Some of the common substances that are abused are opium, codeine, heroin, cocaine, amphetamines since they have a stimulating effect. Some barbiturates have a soothing and numbing effect on the central nervous system. Drug withdrawal therapy or detoxification treatment is aimed at aiding a drug addict in reducing or eliminating the dependence on the substance. Drug withdrawal leads to symptoms such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
  
• Abdominal pain
  
• Nervousness and shaking
  
• Drenching sweats
  
• Seizures
  

This occurs because the nervous system is disrupted. It is essential that drug withdrawal is done systematically and gradually. Otherwise the drug withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and often dangerous. Detoxification is most often carried on in a center geared towards helping drug addicts in getting rid of the drug abuse or substance addiction.

Blood drug test

Blood drug tests are conducted to check for any traces of barbiturates or drug abuse. Blood is drawn from a vein on the inside of the elbow as is the case with other blood tests. Blood drug tests are used to screen for presence of illegal drugs or overdose or poisoning. Drug abuse of substances such as cocaine, heroin as well as overdose of amphetamines, benzodiazepines, phencyclidine and codeine can be analyzed with a blood drug test. The presence of illegal drugs or drugs not prescribed for the person indicated by a blood drug test can be suggestive of illicit drug use. Blood drug tests are conducted to monitor drug abuse cases, delirium and dementia.