What Does A Coke Overdose Look Like?
Failing to receive cocaine addiction treatment can lead to overdose. Can a person overdose on coke? According to NIDA: absolutely.
Yes, a person can overdose on cocaine. An overdose occurs when the person uses too much of a drug and has a toxic reaction that results in serious, harmful symptoms or death. An overdose can be intentional or unintentional… Some of the most frequent and severe health consequences leading to overdose involve the heart and blood vessels, including irregular heart rhythm and heart attacks, and the nerves, including seizures and strokes.
According to MedlinePlus, some of the most noticeable symptoms of a cocaine overdose include:
- Seizures
- Loss of awareness of surroundings
- Loss of urine control
- High body temperature, severe sweating
- High blood pressure, very fast heart rate or irregular heart rhythm
- Bluish color of the skin
- Fast or difficulty breathing
- Death
Treating A Coke Overdose
Overdoses are usually treated by first responders (EMTs). Since the likely symptoms of overdose are heart attack, stroke, and seizure, they will do their best to restore blood flow and stop the seizure.
Patients undergoing treatment for a cocaine overdose may receive breathing supportfrom equipment like ventilators, be hooked up to an IV, take medicines to control seizures and blood pressure, and be treated for complications in the heart, brain, muscles, and kidneys.
That being said, there are a few things you can do if you suspect an overdose that can make the likelihood of recovery even higher.
First, if the overdose victim is unconscious and isn’t breathing, call 911 and begin CPR. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you are alone and have immediate access to a phone, you should call 911 before administering CPR. If there are two people available, have one call 911 while the other begins CPR.
Second, if the victim is unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position.
Third, continue to monitor the person’s vital signs until emergency help arrives. Without compromising their safety, try to determine how much cocaine was taken and when it was first used. This info can be helpful once emergency personnel arrives.
For more detailed information on administering first aid during a drug overdose, have a look at MedlinePlus’s guide here.