Snorting Cocaine Effects of Snorting Cocaine on the Nose and Sinuses

Any amount of cocaine can induce these toxic effects, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

1. Combining and snorting cocaine and heroin, a drug mix known as a speedball, is also extremely dangerous and increases the risk of cocaine overdose and death.
2. Before users can smoke cocaine, it must be converted to its freebase form, which is commonly called crack.
3. Over time, with chronic use, the interrupted blood flow cocaine causes can also permanently damage the delicate tissues inside your nose and other organs in the body.
4. Cocaine — aka coke, blow, and snow — is a powerful stimulant made from the leaves of the coca plant.

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Side Effects of Snorting Cocaine

The combination of bleeding out the nose and regular sinus problems is a sign that someone might be snorting cocaine. When someone who uses cocaine regularly suddenly stops snorting the drug, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal, or a cocaine crash, include fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, increased appetite and sleeping difficulties. The longer you laxative abuse continue to use cocaine, however, the higher the chance becomes for permanent damage. When cells (and tissue) dies, there’s no going back, and if the inside of your nose is literally falling apart, nothing short of serious, costly reconstructive surgery will return you to normal. Chronic respiratory issues and a permanent decrease in the ability to smell are common in long-term cocaine users.

Before users can smoke cocaine, it must be converted to its freebase form, which is commonly called crack. “Freebase” is a term in chemistry that refers to the chemical compound structure of an alkaloid like cocaine or nicotine. Turning cocaine into freebase form means it is converted from an acid form to an amine form.

Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

Smoking cocaine also creates a more intense high in the person using the substance. Because it is more concentrated, the intensity of the high is elevated; this further contributes to the addictive qualities of the substance. Chronic coke users may develop what’s known as a “saddle nose.” With a saddle deformity, the bridge of the nose essentially collapses and tip of the nose becomes wider and upturned.

Many people who use cocaine may use multiple methods of ingestion, and they may also have polysubstance dependence. A study published in the journal Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology found that people who snorted cocaine had better treatment outcomes than those who smoked cocaine. People who used cocaine intranasally remained in treatment longer and trended toward longer periods of sustained abstinence. Nose bleeds are another effect of the mucous membrane becoming irritated by the intranasal use of the popular stimulant.

When snorted or gummed, coke needs to get through mucus, skin, and other tissues. It bypasses all that when you inject or smoke it, allowing it to enter the bloodstream almost immediately. People use coke for its intense psychological effects, like euphoria and boosted confidence. But it can also produce some not-so-pleasant psychological and physical effects. The high achieved by smoking cocaine also dissipates quickly, so individuals may want to quickly use another dose to maintain the original high. This is why people can end up smoking large amounts of cocaine in a short period.

Health Risks of Cocaine Abuse

Sharing any of these can introduce infection into the bloodstream through your veins, or through small cuts or sores in the mucus membranes. Cocaine use carries a high risk of contracting bloodborne infections, including HIV and hepatitis C. In severe cases, the septum (the cartilage between your nostrils) can develop a hole. Mixing alcohol use disorder and depressive disorders alcohol research alcohol and cocaine has also been shown to increase cravings for each substance, leading to a higher risk of dependence. Once the high wears off, coke can leave you feeling depressed and extremely tired for several days. The short-lived high is also often followed by an intense desire to use more and difficulty sleeping.

Therefore, using cocaine intranasally can cause permanent nasal damage or result in surgery. When you snort or sniff a line of cocaine, the fine powder enters the mucous membranes of the nose. Typically, though, if you only use cocaine one time, you won’t have to worry about your nose healing after coke. The surge of dopamine that takes place when using cocaine strongly reinforces continued use of the drug, which can increase the risk of compulsive misuse and addiction. Check out our blog posts and resource links for the latest information on substance abuse.

Tolerance is likely to lead to physical dependence, which means you may experience cocaine withdrawal symptoms when you stop use. Cocaine use diminishes function in the parts of the brain involved in decision-making. Once the powerful stimulant hits the blood vessels in the nose, it takes about three to five minutes to reach the brain. At that point, the user begins to feel a euphoric high and energetic rush that can last for approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Where does the idea that cocaine is somehow not as serious as heroin, opiates or meth come from?

What about other risks?

In the beginning, a person might notice they frequently suffer from a stuffy nose, a runny nose and nosebleeds. They may also experience frequent sinus infections and a diminished sense of smell. Long-term intranasal cocaine use can also result in significant damage to the nose, mouth and nearby structures. Over time, with chronic use, the interrupted blood flow cocaine causes can also permanently damage the delicate tissues inside your nose and other organs in the body. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing.

It may be consumed orally and rubbed on the gums, dissolved in water and injected, smoked, or snorted through the nose.1 Snorting cocaine involves inhaling the powder through the nose, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Cocaine is a stimulant drug with highly addictive properties that is derived from the coca plant.1 Also known as “coke,” “snow,” and “blow,” cocaine is a white, crystal-like powder that provides a euphoric high. With any drug, the probability of addiction is increased when the drug reaches the brain faster. The reward and pleasure centers are highly stimulated, and the brain creates positive reinforcement for the substance of abuse. The faster this stimulation happens, the quicker addictive cycles set in and the greater the likelihood of abuse.

Nasal and Oral Deformities from Snorting Coke

Smoking crack delivers a rapid and intense high, often leading to compulsive use and addiction. The impact on physical and mental health can be severe, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare interventions to address the complex challenges of cocaine addiction and drug abuse. Long-term nasal ingestion of cocaine can result in severe side effects and prolonged damage that’s often labeled as “coke nose” or “cocaine nose,” which can require medical intervention to repair.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy what happens when you mix cannabis and alcohol to understand. The study also found that despite better treatment outcomes in some areas of measurement, these users still experienced the same severity of problems in other areas of their lives.