Cocaine High: What Does It Feel Like?

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that produces feelings of euphoria, increased energy, and alertness.

The high from cocaine is intense but short-lived, and people who use the drug often report feeling a crash or low once the drug starts to wear off.

Cocaine use can have a number of serious side effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, paranoia, and even psychosis.

People who use cocaine can develop a tolerance to the drug, meaning they need to take increasingly larger doses to get the same high.

With regular use, cocaine can also lead to problems with sleep, weight loss, and depression.

What A Cocaine High Feels Like

Cocaine acts on the brain by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward.

The drug also prevents dopamine from being recycled back into the brain, resulting in a buildup of the neurotransmitter in the synapses.

This flood of dopamine is what leads to the cocaine high, and results in a flood of euphoric and energizing sensations.

Physical Effects Of Cocaine Use

Cocaine drug use results in a number of physical sensations and symptoms, but it can also be extremely dangerous.

When this drug is used, it can create irregular heart rhythms, while increasing body temperature and constricting blood vessels.

This can increase your chance of experiencing a cocaine overdose.

Other physical effects of snorting, smoking, or injecting cocaine include:

• nausea
• headaches
• constricted blood vessels
• dilated pupils
• cardiac arrest

Psychological Effects Of Cocaine Use

Because cocaine affects the nervous system, it can result in a number of physiological and mental side effects.

Once the short-term effects of cocaine abuse subside, the body is at risk of experiencing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

These can manifest as physical side effects, such as tremors and nausea, but cocaine takes a serious toll on the brain as well.

Cocaine withdrawal induced by continual cocaine highs can lead to:

• anxiety
• paranoia
• aggression
• intense euphoria
• confidence
• memories of cocaine’s euphoric effects

How Long A Cocaine High Lasts

A cocaine high typically lasts anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the person’s tolerance and how much they have taken. The effects of a cocaine high can be intense, but short-lived.

As such, the effects of the drug are felt almost immediately after taking it.

The effects from smoking or injecting cocaine are even shorter-lived, lasting only 5 to 10 minutes.

How High Is Your Risk Of Overdose From A Cocaine High?

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that can have serious consequences, including overdose.

Because of the many physical side effects on the cardiovascular system and respiratory systems, the chances of overdosing on cocaine are unfortunately quite high.

Risks associated with cocaine use include:

• irregular heartbeat
• vomiting
• hallucinations
• seizures
• difficulty breathing
• loss of consciousness
• heart attack
• agitation
• psychosis

Treatment Options For Cocaine Addiction

There are a number of addiction treatment programs and services available to help those looking to overcome a cocaine-based substance use disorder (SUD) to achieve sobriety.

Some of the treatment methods for cocaine include:

• inpatient programs
• detox
• individual and group therapy
• family services
• relapse prevention education

Find A Substance Abuse Treatment Program

If you or a loved one is seeking treatment for a SUD, give our free helpline a call today to discuss enrollment at a drug rehab center near you.