‘Cocaine Face’ and Other Side Effects of the Drug

Cocaine has been used in medicine for almost as long as humans first discovered it. While it is not widely used today in the medical field, it is now more commonly used as a recreational drug. Cocaine gained more popularity in the 1970s and ‘80s and then eventually took a turn toward being synthesized as its other form, crack, became easier to get and cheaper to buy. But the same side effects have stayed the same, and the drug is still just as addictive as ever. It doesn’t matter if you used it once or are addicted to it; cocaine still has short and long-term side effects, including the so-called phenomenon of “cocaine face.” Still, it’s important to know that help is available, including cocaine detox and drug addiction treatment.

Understanding Cocaine and Its Effects

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that is made from the leaves of the coca plant, which is native to South America. Since cocaine is a stimulant, it gives the brain a dopamine signal that is reinforced by the reward system, the same signal we get from food, sex, and other drugs. Drug use, like cocaine, amplifies this signal of dopamine and causes a euphoria that is commonly experienced immediately after taking the drug.

Typically cocaine is used orally, but when altered with other common chemical components, it can be made into a salt, which then, in turn, can be used to be injected or snorted. When cocaine is turned into this salt-like substance, it is normally referred to as crack or crack cocaine because of the crackling sound it makes when heated up. Crack can also be used to sprinkle or lace on marijuana or tobacco before smoking it. Other names for cocaine are crack, coke, blow, and snow.

What is ‘Cocaine Face’?

One of the more physical symptoms of cocaine use is “cocaine face,” or “coke bloat” — when your face, mostly your cheeks, looks aged and bloated. But “cocaine face” isn’t the only symptom to watch out for here. Other physical symptoms of cocaine use are a white powdery substance around the nose, which is called “sugar spots,” as well as bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, and frequent sore throat. There is also irreversible internal nose damage, such as loss of blood supply to the septum, which can eventually cause the bridge of the nose to collapse. There are strong ties between snorting cocaine and nosebleeds as well. Other physiological impacts of cocaine use are increased heart rate, rapid breathing, shaking hands, and fevers.  

Cocaine also has many dermatological impacts beyond “cocaine face,” such as an increase in skin infections, such as cellulitis, abscesses, and even life-threatening necrotizing soft tissue infections. Those who use cocaine are also more prone to developing skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and contact allergies. Constant cocaine use will also weaken your body’s immune system making it harder to fight off any infection or blood-borne diseases that may occur when sharing needles.

Immediate Side Effects of Cocaine Use

Short-term physical effects of cocaine use normally result in the user feeling euphoric, with energy bursts that make them energetic, mentally alert, and talkative. While this may be normal behavior for some people, it can be completely abnormal for others. Other short-term effects might make some hypersensitive to sight and sound, and often users will wear sunglasses even if the sun is not out. Another effect is the decreased need for food or sleep, making the person stay up for a day or two before succumbing to sleep. There are also symptoms of a cocaine comedown that can affect those who use this drug.

Other short-term physical effects of cocaine are:

• Dilated pupils.
• Increased heart rate.
• Headaches.
• Feeling euphoric.
• Increased body temperature or fevers.
• Restlessness.

Long-Term Side Effects of Cocaine Use

Long-term cocaine use can lead to some very serious physical health issues. The most common is cardiovascular problems since cocaine gives its user an increased heart rate and increased blood pressure, prolonging the use of the drug, which will damage the heart and make oxygen that much harder. When considering how cocaine affects the heart, eventually, the heart will have an imbalance of pumping blood and oxygen to the rest of the body, causing the user to either have a heart attack or stroke. Cocaine is normally described by medical professionals as the “perfect heart attack drug.” Smoking cocaine, or crack, can lead users to develop “crack lung,” with users having the same symptoms as pneumonia as well as fatal symptoms like severe chest pain, high body temperature, and breathing issues.

Social and Behavioral Impacts of Cocaine Use

Like other drugs, cocaine has severe social and behavioral impacts on the addict’s life. Hiding a drug abuse from friends and family can lead to a series of little lies that will eventually turn into a twisted ball that will be harder and harder to unravel. With this, trust is normally the first thing that is broken with friends and family. Other effects cocaine can have on your life are excessive anxiety in most social settings as well as the potential to become increasingly aggressive toward others.

Another stressor that occurs with a cocaine addiction is financial hardships and legal consequences. Since cocaine is an illegal substance, you could be charged with a felony in some states and serve prison time. This also ties in with financial hardships; the average gram of cocaine is anywhere from $60-$200, which leads users to find the money needed to support their addiction by either stealing from others or switching to more synthetic drugs like crack.

Recognizing the Signs of Cocaine Addiction

There are many signs that someone you know and love might be addicted to cocaine, and not all are as readily apparent to outsiders as “cocaine face.” Here are some symptoms of cocaine use:

• Mood swings.
• Violent or aggressive behavior, especially when they are not typically like that.
• Paranoia.
• Hallucinations.
• Panic attacks.
• Excessive fidgeting.
• Delusions.
• Irritability.

Signs of cocaine addiction can also include physical and health changes such as dilated pupils, an increased heart rate, an increase in bloody noses, and sensitivity to light. Recognizing the signs of drug abuse — not just “cocaine face” — might just save someone’s life, as can knowing the cocaine relapse warning signs. Please call Resurgence Behavioral Health at 855-458-0050 or contact us online today. We’re here to help you and your loved ones get on the road to recovery.

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

Research | Editorial