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.