How dangerous is cocaine? Can it kill you instantly? Find out how deadly the stimulant drug is and what to do if you or a loved one develop a cocaine addiction.
Using too much cocaine at one time, known as an overdose, can be fatal. Out of all illegal drugs, cocaine is themost likelyto lead to an emergency room visit. Almost14,000drug overdose deaths resulted from cocaine use in 2017.
Article at a Glance:
- Cocaine is a stimulant that can cause immediate death.
- Deaths most commonly occur through an overdose.
- Cocaine overdose can cause heart attack, stroke, or seizure.
- The most common signs of cocaine overdose include chest pain and rapid heartbeat.
- If a cocaine overdose is suspected, contact emergency medical help immediately.
How Much Cocaine is Lethal?
The median lethal dose orLD50 of cocaine, which refers to the expected lethal dose for 50% of test subjects, is 96 mg per 1 kg of weight. While most studies on lethal doses of cocaine have been done onmice, based on the generalized LD50 of cocaine, 50% of individuals who weigh 150 lbs (or 68 kg) would experience a lethal dose at about 6.5 grams of cocaine. While this might seem like a lot, there are a lot of variables that influence this metric, such as an individual’s age, cardiovascular health, drug tolerance, method of consumption, etc.
Cocaine-Related Deaths
Deaths from cocaine are mostcommonly causedby:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Seizures
While cocaine increases dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to create euphoric effects while boosting confidence and focus, it also stimulates the cardiovascular system. These cardiovascular effects are by far the most dangerous.
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Cardiovascular effects of cocaine use include:
- Blood vessels constriction
- Rapid or irregular heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
A rapid heart rate increases the amount of oxygen that the heart requires, which it receives through blood flow. However, when blood vessels are constricted, less oxygenated blood is available to supply the heart muscle. A heart attack occurs when not enough oxygen can reach the heart muscle.
The risk of heart attack is23 timesmore likely after cocaine use compared to baseline. Cocaine has been called the “perfect heart attack drug” due to the multiple ways it increases heart attack risk.
Older adults and those with any cardiovascular disease are more susceptible to the effects of cocaine. However, young people and those with no risk factors may still experience a heart attack due to cocaine use.
Cocaine deaths are not solely attributed to heart attacks. Cocaine can causea fatal stroke. Although the exact reasons for this risk are unknown, it is partially due to the increased risk for blood clots. Cocaine also lowers the seizure threshold, meaning it can make seizures more likely even if someone has not had a seizure before.
Signs of a Cocaine Overdose
Cocaine intoxication and overdose are serious risks when abusing the drug. Intoxication comes when the personfeels high but illat the same time. Overdose is more extreme than intoxication and can be deadly. Signs of a cocaine overdose include:
- Chest pain
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- High body temperature or severe sweating
- Bluish color of the skin
- Difficulty breathing
What To Do During an Cocaine Overdose
A cocaine overdose is a medical emergency. Although dangerous, it may be treatable if recognized early. An overdose can even occur the first time someone uses cocaine. Seek medical attention immediately if a cocaine overdose is suspected.
- Call 911 immediately.
- Gather information to provide to emergency responders, including age, pre-existing conditions, drug allergies, drug/alcohol use and the amount of cocaine taken.
- Lay the person on their side to prevent aspiration.
- If the person feels overheated, try to keep their body temperature down with cold compresses.
- Keep the individual in a safe environment, away from anything that can potentially injure them in the event of a seizure, such as objects with sharp edges.
- Stay with the person until emergency workers arrive.
Cocaine is a dangerous and addictive drug. If you or a loved one struggle with cocaine use, The Recovery Village can help.Contact The Recovery Villagetoday to speak with a representative and learn more aboutcocaine addictiontreatment. You deserve a healthier future.
