What Does A Cocaine High Feel Like?

A high from cocaine usually lasts 30 minutes to two hours. You might also feel like your senses are heightened, experiencing things more intensely than usual. However, the aftereffects of a cocaine high can be intense and negative.

Get Help Now!
Dr. Langdon M.D.

Medically Reviewed By: Kimberly Langdon M.D.

on

A cocaine high has many signs and symptoms. Effects can include feeling euphoric, talkative, and alert for about one to two hours.

Cocaine abuse can cause changes in mood, behavior, and energy levels and increase blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, heart palpitations, and respiration.

What Is A Cocaine High?

Cocaine high refers to what it feels like when you use freebase, crack cocaine, or other cocaine for non-medical reasons — the rush of effects people seek during cocaine abuse.

How Long Do Cocaine Highs Last?

Ultimately, there are both physical and psychological effects involved during a cocaine hig. Cocaine highs typically last from 15 to 30 minutes and may last for up to two hours.

Effects Of A Cocaine High

A cocaine high can make your heart beat faster and raise your blood pressure. Here are the short-term effects of cocaine high.

Physical Sensation Of A Cocaine High

People who use cocaine report that a cocaine high can create euphoria and energy. The drug also induces hyperactivity, excitability, impulsivity, and restlessness.

Other physical symptoms of a cocaine high include pupil dilation, elevated body temperature, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and insomnia.

As the effects of the drug subside, some people may feel depressed or dysphoric. This is known as the cocaine crash or comedown.

Behavioral Effects Of A Cocaine High

People who consume cocaine often display distinct behavioral changes, including compulsive talking, hyperactivity, anxiety, restlessness, and psychomotor agitation.

Certain aspects of behavior are affected by the way the drug is consumed. The powder form of cocaine can be snorted or dissolved in water for injection.

Snorting cocaine powder causes the user to experience effects very quickly. An injection provides a stronger but longer-lasting high that gradually comes on over several minutes.

This can create intense feelings of euphoria and increased energy.

After-Effects Of Cocaine: The Cocaine Comedown

Coming down from a cocaine high can cause intense feelings of depression and dysmorphia.

This is largely because the period of the cocaine high caused such intense feelings of high energy, and the body is in recovery from that state.

Long-Term Effects Of Getting High Off Cocaine

Using cocaine for an extended period can lead to various health problems.

There are several possible long term side effects of cocaine use, such as:

  • cocaine overdose
  • cerebral hemorrhage
  • weight loss
  • dilated pupils and blood vessels
  • heart attack
  • mental health problems
  • unusual heart rhythm patterns
  • hypertension
  • lung and kidney damage
  • chest pain and breathing problems

Cocaine Addiction

Using cocaine frequently can lead to cocaine addiction because the effects of the drug wear off so quickly.

People who use cocaine regularly are likely to take higher and more frequent doses to get high. Some people become addicted simply by smoking crack once.

Cocaine addicts may develop a tolerance for the drug and need more and more of it just to feel its initial effects, leading them down a dangerous path that could ultimately be fatal.

Cocaine Withdrawal

Cocaine withdrawal happens when a person who uses a lot of cocaine reduces or stops using the substance.

Even if the person is not completely free of cocaine and still has some of the drug in their blood, withdrawal symptoms can still occur.

Withdrawal symptoms typically begin between 12 to 24 hours after your last use. A few days later, the symptoms peak in intensity and taper off over weeks or months of not using it.

The intensity can vary depending on how often you use cocaine, how long and consistently you’ve been using it, and many other factors..

Treatment Programs For Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine addiction can take over a person’s life in so many ways. And that calls for an effective cocaine addiction treatment program.

Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient treatment, your success begins with detoxing your body of all traces of cocaine, alcohol, and any other substances.

People in cocaine recovery should also expect a recovery program tailored to their specific needs, including behavioral therapy or medication management.

Find Cocaine Use Disorder Treatment At Bedrock Recovery Center

Bedrock Recovery Center is a private alcohol and drug rehab center that helps people with addiction to substances such as marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, meth, and more get back on their feet.

If you or your loved one are in need of substance abuse treatment, please call us today to learn more about our intensive, proven-effective treatment plans.

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/cocaine
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-are-short-term-effects-cocaine-use
  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-are-short-term-effects-cocaine-use

Written by Bedrock Recovery Center Editorial Team

© 2024 Bedrock Recovery Center | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

Prefer Texting?
We've got you covered.

Receive 24/7 text support right away.
There is no obligation and you can opt out at any time.
chat-header

Sign up for text support

Receive 24/7 text support right away.
There is no obligation and you can opt out at any time.
chat-header
Ready to make a change? Talk to a specialist now.
(617) 657-2877
icon-angle icon-bars icon-times