Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Recognizing physical signs
• Part 2 of 3: Recognizing behavioral changes
• Part 3 of 3: Knowing which steps to take
• Tips
• Warnings

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant that can have serious negative health consequences, such as overdose and even death. Because signs of cocaine abuse can be very similar to the symptoms of other health conditions, it can be difficult to know if someone is using cocaine. If you are concerned that someone in the family, a friend or colleague is using cocaine, find out what physical signs and / or changes in behavior to look out for here.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Recognizing physical signs

1. Note if the person has white powder on their nose or personal items. Cocaine is a white powder that is normally sniffed through the nose. Check for powdery residue on the nose or face. Even if he / she has wiped it away, you may still be able to see some leftovers on the clothes or other items.
   • Look for objects under the bed or under a chair that could have been used as a flat surface for sniffing.
   • The person can declare that the powder is sugar, flour or some other harmless substance. If you see it more than once, especially in an unusual place (like on a magazine under a bed), it probably isn't powdered sugar.
2. Pay attention to whether the other person is flushing their nose often, or always has a runny nose. Cocaine is very bad for the cavities, and it can cause a chronic runny nose. Heavy users always sniff like they have a cold, even if they don't show any other signs of a cold.
   • Frequently touching or wiping the nose can also be a sign that someone is using cocaine.
   • After a period of heavy use, a cocaine user may sometimes have nosebleeds or damage to the inside of the nose.
3. Watch for bloodshot eyes. Because it is a powerful stimulant, the eyes of someone using cocaine can be red and bloodshot, just like if someone is smoking a lot. Check for red and watery eyes at strange times of the day. Cocaine can cause sleep deprivation, so the eyes probably look red especially in the morning.
4. See if he / she has large pupils. Cocaine makes the pupils large and dilated. Watch the eyes to see if the pupils are oddly dilated, even in a well-lit room. Since dilated pupils are more sensitive to light, the person may wear sunglasses to protect the eyes.
   • Dilated pupils are only visible when a person is under the influence, so this physical feature can easily be overlooked.
   • The pupils may also be enlarged with other types of drugs and some medications. Large pupils do not automatically mean that someone is using cocaine.
5. Look for needle scars. Seriously heavy users sometimes dissolve cocaine to inject it with a needle. Pay attention to the hands, forearms, feet, and legs, and see if you see any small round cuts that have been inserted with a needle. If you see small dots, the person may be using cocaine.
6. Look for aids for using drugs. Cocaine can be sniffed, smoked or injected. Various objects can be used for this.
   • White powder on mirrors, CD cases or other surfaces
   • Rolled up euro notes, pipes, spoons or small plastic bags.
   • Sometimes cocaine is mixed with lemon juice or vinegar to get a stronger high.
   • Some addicts also use heroin at the same time as cocaine. This is called "speedballing".

Part 2 of 3: Recognizing behavioral changes

1. Notice if the person reacts unnaturally. Cocaine makes users feel euphoric, so the person may be very happy for no apparent reason. Compare this behavior with his / her normal behavior to determine if he / she is using cocaine or another drug.
   • He / she can also laugh more than usual.
   • Sometimes people become abnormally aggressive or impulsive when they take cocaine. Hallucinations also sometimes occur.
   • The hyperactivity lasts only as long as the person is high, which can last anywhere from twenty minutes to two hours.
2. Notice if someone keeps leaving the room. Since the high from cocaine is short-lived, it is necessary to keep adding some to maintain the euphoric feeling. Cocaine users often go away to use more. If someone goes to the bathroom every 20 to 30 minutes, it could be a sign that he / she is using.
   • There are, of course, all kinds of other reasons that someone often has to go to the toilet. Look for other signs that someone is using cocaine, such as a little sneaky behavior to hide something.
   • Maybe he / she always leaves the room with the same person. Notice if certain people you suspect are using cocaine together keep exchanging telltale looks with each other.
3. Note if the person has a decreased appetite.
4. Note the aftermath. Someone who used cocaine the night before may be lethargic and depressed the day after. Notice if he / she has trouble getting out of bed, or is very grumpy the day after the alleged cocaine use. If you discover a pattern of lethargy, this person may be using.
   • In many cases, the person who uses cocaine is a bit aloof from those who don't. If the person is holding the door to their room and doesn't want to get out, it could be a sign.
   • Some people use sedatives and / or alcohol to combat the effects of cocaine to make sleeping easier.
5. Observe longer-term changes. Long-term users are at risk of becoming addicted to cocaine. Seeking the next high becomes a priority and other commitments can suffer. Look for the following signs that someone is a heavy, frequent user:
   • Frequent users build up tolerance to the drug, requiring them to use more and more to get the desired effect. That could mean taking them again every ten minutes, and sometimes using them continuously for a week.
   • They can become sneaky, untrustworthy and dishonest. They may show dramatic mood swings, depression, or psychotic behavior due to the neurological effects of the drug.
   • They may start to neglect responsibilities to family members or work, and even their personal hygiene. Sometimes they also have a whole new circle of friends with whom they use cocaine.
   • They can also develop infections or get sick more often due to a weakened immune system.
6. Notice if the person is in financial difficulties. Cocaine is an expensive drug. Heavy users need a substantial income to pay for their addiction. As work often suffers, the financial situation can quickly become a problem.
   • The person may want to borrow money from you, without explaining what it is for.
   • The person may report sick often, show up late, or be unable to meet deadlines.
   • In extreme cases, the person may steal things or sell personal belongings to pay for the addiction.

Part 3 of 3: Knowing which steps to take

1. Express your concern. It's much better to say something than to keep quiet. Say you have noticed that he / she is using cocaine and that you are concerned about his / her health and well-being. Say you want to help them get rid of the addiction.
   • Don't wait until the other person is completely in the gutter. Cocaine is too dangerous for that. Don't let it run its course.
   • List specific examples that can "prove" that you know the other is using cocaine. Be prepared that the other person will deny using.
2. Get help if it's a family member. If the person you're concerned about is your child or a close relative, make an appointment with a counselor to get help right away. You usually cannot cope with cocaine addiction on your own.
   • Find a counselor who has experience with addiction behavior.
   • A family therapist or a school mentor can also provide assistance.
3. Don't resort to threat or intimidation. Ultimately, the person himself must want to stop. If you try to control the situation with threats, bribery, or extreme punishment, it probably won't work. Violating someone's privacy, taking responsibility, or arguing when someone is under the influence will only make things worse.
   • Set boundaries that you can adhere to (such as not giving more pocket money or lending your car), but do not set empty threats that you cannot comply with anyway.
   • Try to find out what the underlying problem is. Try to find out where the behavior comes from with a counselor.
4. Don't blame yourself. Whether it's your child or someone else, there's no point in blaming yourself. The cocaine use is about him / her, not about you. You cannot control the decisions of another; you can only support and encourage someone to seek help. Let the person take responsibility for his / her behavior, which is essential to recover.

Tips

• Recognizing the symptoms of cocaine addiction can be the first step in seeking help. Of course it can be difficult, especially when it comes to a loved one. Always keep supporting the other person and don't lose hope, because there are all kinds of treatments available to get rid of the cocaine.

Warnings

• An overdose of cocaine can cause a heart attack or stroke, a brain haemorrhage from high blood pressure, dangerously high body temperature, kidney failure, delirium, cramps and death. Many of these things can happen even the first time someone uses. A heart attack or breathing difficulties from cocaine use can occur in both a first-time user and an addict with built-up tolerance.