Snorting cocaine can be dangerous to the user for various reasons. It can wreak havoc on your health just as it can damage your life. If you or a loved one is struggling with cocaine use, cocaine addiction treatment can help. Contact Vertava Health at 844.470.0410 for more information about our treatment options.
The Dangers of Snorting Cocaine
The dangers of snorting cocaine are many. The tissues of the nose and nasal regions are very delicate. Every time a person uses cocaine, these tissues are irritated. Chronic cocaine use can cause severe damage, including inflammation, infection, and even changes to the nose’s internal and external structure. While cocaine itself is a harmful irritant, a large amount of the damage to the nose is from additives.
Snorting cocaine can cause damage to the nasal regions in the following ways:
- Bone loss
- Blockages of nasal airways
- Chronic halitosis
- Chronic nosebleeds
- Chronic runny nose
- Crusted skin in the nasal passage
- Collapsed nasal passages
- Damage to the cilia (hairs inside nostrils)
- Hole in the nasal septum (perforated septum)
- Hole in the roof of the mouth
- Inflammation of the nasal tissues
- Loss of sense of smell
- Nasal obstruction
- Recurrent sinus infections
- Saddle nose deformity (broad, flat nose)
- Sinusitis
- Sores in the mucous membrane of the nose
Other Dangers Of Snorting Cocaine
The nose isn’t the only region of the body damaged by snorting cocaine.
Snorting cocaine can also cause:
- Aggravation of allergies
- Brain abscesses
- Difficulty swallowing
- Higher rates of tooth decay and periodontal disease
- Hoarse voice
- Lung infections
- Onset or worsening of snoring
- Respiratory tract blockages
- Sore throat
- Toxic shock
- Vision impairments and blindness
Dangers of Cocaine
The dangers of snorting cocaine don’t stop at the physical. Cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant. It’s also addictive.
Cocaine use can lead to:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Paranoid delusions
- Psychotic symptoms
- Aggressive or violent behavior
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Kidney failure
- Liver damage
- Sudden death
The Dangers of Laced Cocaine
If a person uses cocaine laced with another drug, the potential for addiction and overdose increases. In addition to amphetamine, cocaine may be mixed with heroin or fentanyl. Many users may not even realize that cocaine contains these drugs.
On the other hand, some users may purposely snort cocaine with heroin. This is called crisscrossing. Using a stimulant and depressant together puts the body and central nervous system under great strain, increasing the odds of overdose and sudden death.
Treatment for Cocaine Addiction at Vertava Health
The damage from cocaine isn’t experienced just on a physical level. Chronic cocaine use poisons a person’s life, causing great harm to their career, family life, and relationships. At Vertava Health, we understand how addiction can take over every aspect of a person’s life. That’s why we offer a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment that meets the unique needs of each individual.
We offer the following programs at our Vertava Health facility:
- Detoxification — The first step in addiction treatment is to rid the body of harmful toxins. Our medically supervised detox program provides 24/7 care and support to help our patients through this challenging and often painful process.
- Residential treatment — After detox, patients transition to our inpatient treatment program. This program is designed to help patients begin their recovery journey in a safe and supportive environment.
- Outpatient treatment — For patients who have completed our residential treatment program, we offer an intensive outpatient program that provides the structure and support they need to continue their recovery journey.
- Sober living — After completing our outpatient treatment program, patients have the option of moving into our sober living facility. This facility provides a safe and supportive environment for patients as they transition back into everyday life.
Cocaine addiction treatment should be individualized to meet each person’s unique needs. At Vertava Health, we offer various treatment options that can be customized to each individual.
If you or a loved one is struggling with cocaine addiction, we can help. Contact us today at 844.470.0410 to learn more about our cocaine addiction treatment options.
