Cocaine

A short-acting stimulant with significant cardiac risk, usually seen in metropolitan settings in India.

Cocaine produces a brief, intense stimulant effect. Because the effect is short, use is often repeated over a single session.

The rapid rise and fall of effect strongly reinforces repeated use. Binge patterns are common, followed by low mood and exhaustion.

When it is an emergency

Chest pain
Seizure
Collapse
Severe agitation or confusion

Emergency guidance

Signs worth noticing

Binge episodes followed by heavy crashes
Nasal problems or nosebleeds
Rapid financial loss
Irritability and suspiciousness

Real risks

Heart attack and stroke, including in young people
Seizures
Severe anxiety and paranoia
Risk multiplied when combined with alcohol

When to seek help

Binge patterns are recurring
Chest pain or palpitations occur
Mood or suspiciousness worsens between episodes

What treatment involves

Medical review, including cardiac assessment where indicated
Structured psychological therapy
Treatment of co-occurring mood and anxiety problems
Relapse-prevention planning

If you are the family

Take chest pain seriously and seek urgent care
Avoid confrontation during a binge
Plan support for the crash period, when risk of self-harm can rise

What recovery looks like

Regular follow-up with a clinician or counsellor
Relapse-prevention planning that names specific triggers
Peer or community support where it is available and comfortable
Family involvement, when the person consents to it
Attention to sleep, nutrition, work and daily routine

Questions to ask any centre

What kind of assessment will be done before any treatment starts?
Who provides medical care here, and what are their qualifications?
Is withdrawal expected in this case, and how will it be managed?
What therapies are offered, and how often?
What does the fee include, and what is charged separately?
What happens after discharge, and for how long?

Common questions

This guide is general education, not medical advice, and it cannot tell you what is happening in a specific person. Only a qualified clinician can assess that.