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Warning-sign checks

Cocaine intoxication: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Follow the discharge instructions provided after emergency care.

    Call emergency services for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.

    These symptoms often need routine medical follow-up, but thoughts of suicide or self-harm require immediate crisis or emergency help.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Return for urgent assessment if chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, severe headache, weakness, confusion, fever, or a seizure develops after discharge.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Recommended follow-up may include primary care, cardiology, neurology, mental health, or addiction treatment, depending on the symptoms and test results.

The article also says

After cocaine wears off, some people experience a “crash” with fatigue, increased sleep, low mood, anxiety, strong cravings, or difficulty concentrating.

A clinician can screen for stimulant use disorder, meaning cocaine use that has become difficult to control or continues despite harm.

Effective care can include contingency management, which provides structured rewards for meeting treatment goals, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and community reinforcement approaches.

No medication is currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration specifically for stimulant use disorder, although specialists may consider certain medicines for selected patients.

For someone who is not ready or able to stop, harm-reduction services can still lower risk.

Options include carrying naloxone, avoiding use alone, not mixing cocaine with other substances, using sterile equipment, and checking for fentanyl where test strips are available.

These steps do not make cocaine use safe, but they may reduce preventable harm.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Cocaine intoxication. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.