How to Detect Cocaine Addiction

No one ever wants to suspect that a loved one is addicted to cocaine or any other drug or alcohol. However, putting your head in the sand does nothing to help your loved one shake their addiction. The first step to helping your loved one is to determine whether or not he is addicted to cocaine. Here are a few tell tale signs of cocaine addiction.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Notice behavioral changes. One of the first indications of any kind of drug abuse is a change in your loved one’s behavior. If you suspect cocaine abuse, pay attention to your loved one’s behavior. Individuals who are addicted to cocaine have difficulty sleeping as cocaine gives the user a sense of euphoria and excessive energy.

2. Look for a runny nose and constant sniffling. Snorting cocaine irritates the nose lining causing the mucus glands to work overtime. Take particular note if your loved one seems to always have a “cold,” is constantly sniffling or blowing his nose without having any other cold like symptoms.

3. Keep an eye out for nosebleeds. More advanced cocaine users may be subject to unexpected nosebleeds. Depending on the length and extent of the cocaine abuse, it is possible that your loved one has permanently destroyed her nasal wall lining, by snorting the destructive substance. The damaged wall lining bleeds unexpectedly and sometimes frequently. While not every nosebleed is a sign of cocaine addiction, coupled with some of the other symptoms, it's something to investigate.

4. Take note if your loved one has difficulty sitting still and becomes very chatty. People who are high on cocaine have a difficult time sitting still. Cocaine gives the abuser an energy rush that causes them to fidget and become rather chatty. Take note if your normally sedate loved ones is suddenly jittery and talks incessantly.

5. Pay attention to weight loss. Cocaine suppresses the appetite and prolonged use leads to dramatic weight loss.

6. Keep track of finances. Cocaine is not a cheap habit to maintain. If you share a bank account with a cocaine abuser, it’s time for you to take control of the finances.

Tips & Warnings

• For more information on cocaine addiction, visit www.myaddiction.com
• Try taking the cocaine addiction self test

Resources

• My Addiction.com
• Cocaine Addiction Self Test
• How to Identify Cocaine

[brianadragon]

on 5/30/2009 It's wort noting that not all cocaine addicts are restless, chatty and have trouble sleeping. I have had experience with a few people who were quite the opposite. They would become totally focused on a single thing, not speak, isolate themselves, and sleep more than usual. The stereotype of cocaine addicts being skinny is also not always true. Some addicts will drink more alcohol or eat more while high, thus gaining weight while addicted.