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Dublin Live
National
Amy Donohoe

Side effects of cocaine use as treatment in Ireland trebles

The number of people seeking treatment for cocaine addiction in Ireland has trebled since 2015.

The latest figures from the Health Research Board shows that 10,769 cases were treated for problem drug use in 2021.

The HRB report revealed that there was more cocaine (3,248) than heroin (3,168) cases among those treated for drugs as a main problem.

Read more: Fr Peter McVerry suffers minor injuries after assault in north Dublin home

Cocaine was the most common main drug in new cases in 2021.

HRB chief executive Mairead O’Driscoll said: “This year’s drug treatment figures bring into sharp focus the growing prevalence of cocaine as a problem drug in Irish society.

“By providing timely data the HRB can deliver important insights into trends in drug treatment that can inform policy and practice in relation to supporting treatment approaches as well as addressing risk factors and prevention.”

Dr Suzi Lyons, senior researcher at the HRB, added: “We are observing a sustained increase in cocaine treatment year on year.

“In 2019 we saw cocaine overtake cannabis as the main problem drug; this year the numbers reported as seeking treatment for cocaine exceed those for heroin, which may mark a tipping point in Irish addiction trends.

“While we are seeing a decrease in the proportion of cocaine cases taking more than one drug, almost two-thirds are mixing cocaine with other drugs.

"This is a concern as mixing drugs can impact recovery and increase risk of overdose.”

Drugs.ie have listed the damaging effects of regular cocaine abuse:

Short-term effects

  • Effects of cocaine start quickly but only last for up to 30 minutes

  • You may feel more alert, energetic and confident

  • Your heart and pulse rate speed up suddenly

  • Hyperactivity, dilated pupils, dry mouth, sweating and loss of appetite

  • Higher doses can make you feel very anxious and panicky

  • Increased sex drive

Long-term effects

  • Tightness in chest, insomnia, exhaustion and unable to relax

  • Dry mouth, sweating, mood swings and loss of appetite

  • You may become aggressive or even violent

  • You may feel depressed

  • Damage to nose tissue

  • Digestive disorders, dehydration and anorexia

  • Kidney damage

  • If you use it often you may lose your sex drive

  • Anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations, if you use a lot

  • Weight loss

Other dangers

  • Overdose can cause epileptic fit, stroke, breathing problems and heart attack

  • Damage to veins if you inject

  • Risk of HIV and hepatitis if you share needles

  • When you mix cocaine with alcohol it can increase the risks of damage to the heart or heart attack

  • Extremely dangerous if you inject it with heroin, known as a ‘speedball’

  • Increased sex drive can lead to unsafe sex, with the risk of unwanted pregnancy, STIs or HIV

  • Debt – cocaine is an expensive habit

Withdrawal

You may feel tired, panicky, exhausted and unable to sleep, which can cause you extreme emotional and physical distress.

This can lead to diarrhoea, vomiting, shakes, insomnia and sweating. You may also suffer from anorexia and depression.

How long does it stay in your system?

Cocaine can stay in the body for up to two to four days.

What help is available?

  • Self-help support such as Narcotics Anonymous

  • Counselling or psychotherapy

  • Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture

  • Support from your doctor to withdraw or keep off coke

  • Residential treatment programmes (clinics)

  • Aftercare

  • One to one or group family support

  • The Drugs Helpline 1800 459 459

Read more: Over 10,000 people are in emergency accommodation including 3,000 children

Read more: Mum 'terrified' for young kids as they are forced to sleep rough on streets of Dublin

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