What is Coke Bloat?
Coke bloat is a unique experience in which a person experiences facial and abdominal bloating after using cocaine. Using cocaine can cause other types of physical abnormalities such as nasal damage and the appearance of being underweight and malnourished. Coke bloat is another side effect of cocaine abuse that can happen to some people even when they use the drug for the first time.
Coke bloat is described as puffiness or swelling in the face and stomach area. It can make a person look like they have gained significant weight. The bloating is most apparent in the cheeks and under the chin. The cause of coke bloat can stem from a variety of issues including excess fluid retention, hormonal changes and physical reactions from impurities in the cocaine being ingested.
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug. It is a Schedule II controlled substance that is illegal with a high risk of dependence and addiction. It is derived from the coca plant native to South America and used to produce feelings of intense euphoria. It works by creating elevated levels of dopamine and norepinephrine being released into the brain. This causes feelings of euphoria, high energy, happiness and lowered inhibitions.
What is the difference between Coke Bloat and Regular Bloat?
Coke bloat is solely caused by cocaine use. Whereas, regular bloating can be caused by eating certain foods, a lack of sleep or having a high sodium diet. Coke bloat physically alters a person’s appearance and can impact the user’s esteem and even their perception of self-worth. Regular bloating can be easily treated by lifestyle changes such as getting more sleep and eating less salty foods.
Factors that can cause Coke Bloat
- Dehydration – Cocaine use can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. When you don’t drink enough water, digestion can slow or stop, causing your body to hold on to excess water, causing bloat.
- Narrowing of blood vessels – This can increase blood pressure and can cause build up of lymphatic fluids, which leads to the appearance of swelling and bloating. This can also contribute to the development of a condition called peritonitis, which is the inflammation of the inner lining of your abdomen. One of the main symptoms of peritonitis is bloating.
- Excess water and fluid retention.
- Cocaine impurities – Oftentimes, cocaine is cut with other additives. The most common one is Levamisole, which is a veterinary deworming medication. This drug is not for human consumption and is associated with many complications, including skin necrosis, joint pain, seizures and swollen glands. The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands in front of your ears and can swell up and cause the appearance of puffiness and bloating in the face. An estimated 70% of cocaine in the US contains the deworming agent.
- Co-occurring mental health conditions
- Chronic cocaine use
- Hormonal imbalance – Cocaine releases high levels of dopamine and other feel-good hormones into the brain. When it floods the brain, the user is then left with a drastic imbalance of chemicals and hormones, which can impact physical appearance in the form of bloating.
- Irritated or inflamed nasal passageway – Snorting cocaine can irritate and inflame your nasal passages and can cause some facial swelling.
Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine is one of the most addictive stimulant drugs. When used in small amounts, it produces short-term feelings of happiness, elation, alertness, increased energy and self-confidence. However, the effects of the drug are very short-lived, and users often continue to binge on the drug and keep using more in order to experience a longer and continuous high. This is also to avoid the eventual come down and crash when the drug effects begin to wear off the body.
This leads to dependence and addiction, which results in another set of adverse side effects. Cardiovascular conditions such as a heart attack and hypertension can occur due to the strain cocaine puts on the heart. Neurological effects like seizures, headaches and stroke can occur. Respiratory complications such as damage to the nasal passageway, can occur due to constant snorting of cocaine. Gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting can occur. Ultimately, long-term cocaine abuse can lead to life-threatening effects such as lung disease, brain bleeds and impaired cognitive functioning.
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How Cocaine Impacts Physical Appearance
Cocaine use can drastically impact a user’s physical appearance. It often leads to premature aging, facial tissue destruction, chronic inflammation and can even lead to structural changes in a person’s face. Some of the most common areas that are physically altered are the nose, eyes, jaws and skin. Some of the most severe effects of cocaine impact the midface, where the nose becomes damaged from constant snorting of the drug.
In some cases, users experience facial puffiness or bloating as a result of blood vessel constriction and rebound swelling from fluid retention around the eyes and cheeks. On top of that, the strain cocaine puts on the heart further contributes to bloating, facial skin texture and even skin color.
Cocaine eyes occur when the pupils are dilated and can cause temporary paralysis of eye muscles, leading to bulging eyes and bloodshot eyes. Coke jaw is characterized by involuntary excessive movement of the jaw including clenching. Because cocaine is a stimulant, the increased dopamine levels lead to hyperactivity of muscles including those located in your jaw.
A bloody nose or perforated septum and nasal collapse are common in those who snort cocaine. Cocaine users often find themselves with a decline in oral hygiene. Cocaine use affects saliva production, causing dry mouth and increased acidity in the mouth. This is a recipe for teeth grinding and tooth rot.
Skin dehydration is another side effect of cocaine abuse. It can cause acne, breakouts, formication, skin picking, skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation.
How to treat Coke Bloat
The only real way to prevent coke bloat from occurring is to stop using cocaine. However, if you have already used and are now experiencing this side effect, there are a few things you can do to help bring your face back to normal and reduce bloating. You can gently massage your face for 5-10 minutes, followed by a cooling compress and applying hydrocortisone cream if it is very extreme. Stay hydrated and if you can. Test out your drugs for any dangerous contaminants that can cause adverse effects including bloat.
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Treatment for Cocaine Use Disorder
Coke bloat is one of the most noticeable signs that someone is using cocaine or may have a cocaine addiction. It is a common side effect that causes puffiness and bloating in the face and sometimes in the stomach area. Coke bloat can also reflect other serious underlying health issues.
Most cocaine users lose weight and have a thin and sickly appearance. Those who experience coke bloat tend to look like they have actually gained weight. This is because cocaine use can cause general bloating in various parts of the body due to factors such as dehydration, blood vessel narrowing and lymphatic fluid buildup. Despite some of these adverse effects, some users will continue to use cocaine, which can lead to tolerance, dependence and addiction.
Professional behavioral treatment programs like Hotel California by the Sea provide effective substance use disorder treatment and cocaine addiction. We offer resources and support at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based treatment methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping people reach their goals and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://pride-institute.com/lgbtq-addiction-blog/what-is-coke-bloat
https://www.healthline.com/health/substance-use/coke-bloat
https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/blog/coke-bloat-causes
https://zinniahealth.com/substance-use/cocaine/bloat
https://recovered.org/stimulants/cocaine/how-cocaine-affects-the-face
https://www.avenuesrecovery.com/understanding-addiction/cocaine-and-crack-addiction/coke-bloat