Skip to main content
All Articles
Drug & Alcohol

How to Tell if Someone is on Cocaine

January 26, 2022

If someone you care about is exhibiting odd signs, you might want to know how to tell if someone is on cocaine. Being able to recognize the signs of cocaine use will help you determine when a family member or friend might need your help.

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant. There is a high risk of cocaine abuse and addiction because of how quickly the effects kick in and how short their lifespan is. For example, if somebody uses cocaine, they might feel the effects very quickly, so if they are abusing drugs to numb their pain or give them energy, cocaine will be fast-acting. But, cocaine also wears off in about 30 minutes. This means that larger and larger amounts of cocaine become necessary the more someone uses it just to get that same fast response for that same amount of time.

Signs of cocaine use need to be recognized by users and family and friends alike because there are short-term and long-term dangers associated with cocaine use. Cocaine abuse constricts the blood vessels and causes damage to the nasal cavity, which can result in things like:

  • Nosebleeds
  • Heart attacks
  • Strokes
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Chills
  • Coma
  • Seizures
  • Even death

That said, you still need to know how to tell if someone is on cocaine in order to determine when you should consider helping them find professional rehab facilities that offer comprehensive cocaine addiction treatment.

How to Tell if Someone is on Cocaine

Knowing what cocaine is doesn’t help you understand how to tell if someone is on cocaine. 

The signs of cocaine use include:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Being away for extended periods
  • Appetite loss
  • Overconfidence or overexcitement
  • Paranoid
  • White powder around the nostrils
  • Runny nose regularly, or frequent sniffling
  • Financial problems
  • Legal problems
  • Irritability or mood swings
  • Depression

Recognizing a cocaine addiction can be difficult because it causes many negative consequences, consequences that might be caused by any type of addiction. Cocaine abuse can range from mild to severe addiction depending on how much an individual uses, how long they have used it, and what consequences their drug use has had on their daily lives, work, and relationships.

Some of the most noticeable signs of any type of addiction or abuse include legal or financial troubles, significant behavioral changes like no longer seeing friends and family taking up hobbies that were once beloved. If a friend or family seems out of sorts regularly, with a runny nose and a lot of energy or conversely a lot of lethargy, it might be time to look for other signs of cocaine use and encourage them to get help for their cocaine addiction disorder.

How to Get Someone Help for a Cocaine Addiction Disorder

Knowing how to tell if someone is on cocaine is just the first step. Identifying an addiction disorder will help you guide those you love toward professional help.

At Dallas Detox, we recognize that addiction is a brain disorder characterized by uncontrollable urges. Appreciating how hard it is to overcome addiction, we know that if individuals are given access to healthy alternatives, they can decrease their substance use and get long-term skills that guide them back toward the path to sobriety.

Our staff helps people overcome cocaine use symptoms with a state-of-the-art detox program. Our medically supervised detox program manages the severity of cocaine use symptoms during the initial withdrawal.

If you have seen signs someone is high on cocaine, you can encourage them to consider an inpatient residential program that not only offers cocaine rehab but intense therapy methods during the course of an inpatient treatment plan specifically designed to meet their needs.

We know that overcoming addiction is a long-term game. That is why if you have seen signs someone is high on cocaine, especially someone close to you, you can encourage them to seek out a rehab facility that focuses on comprehensive aftercare with long-term access to recovery treatment plans and a supportive community. 

With Dallas Detox, we are trained to recognize the signs of cocaine use, and we are prepared to help people get customized treatment to overcome their addiction. Let us help you today.

Continue Reading

Nursing station where medical staff monitor clients around the clockAddiction Treatment

Why Treating Mental Health and Addiction Together Matters

Many people entering addiction treatment are surprised to learn that substance use is often connected to underlying mental health challenges. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and mood disorders frequently occur alongside drug or alcohol addiction. When both conditions are present at the same time, it is known as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring […]

Read Article
Semi-private bedroom with two beds and storageAddiction Treatment

What Makes Luxury Rehab Different From Traditional Treatment?

What Makes Luxury Rehab Different From Traditional Treatment? When people hear the term “luxury rehab,” they often picture upscale accommodations and resort-style amenities. While comfort is certainly part of the experience, luxury addiction treatment is about much more than appearance. The goal of a luxury rehab program is to create an environment where individuals can […]

Read Article

Request a Confidential Callback

Let Us Help You Begin Your Journey to Recovery

Our admissions team is available 24/7 to answer your questions, verify insurance, and help you take the first step — confidentially.

  • No Obligation When You Contact Us
  • All Contact is Completely Confidential
  • Highly-Experienced & Caring Staff
  • Hand-Crafted, Individualized Treatment Plans
  • True Dual-Diagnosis with On-Staff Psychiatrist