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I Am Using Cocaine Daily. Will It Deform The Neck? What Are The Risks?
Question: hi doc, ive been using cocaine daily for 8 months (8ball in a week and 2 8ball a week since last month) and im very worried if it can already deform my nose? I have read some users have already damaged their nose after couple of months use and there are also others who used them daily for years without deforming their nose. i notice these white elastic fiber-like that comes out with my mucus or when i pick my nose, what is this? My teeth also moved due to bruxism and involuntary tongue pushing against front teeth. I plan to stop already. I am also afraid if there will be withdrawal symptoms and how to prevent it? if I stop will my impaired cognitive function caused by cocaine be restored?
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
Important aspects of your query are:
• 37 year old female
• Known case of cocaine addiction
• Concern related to nose perforation and deformity
.
You are right that regular use of cocaine use lead to nose perforation and deformity. The only solution to prevent it, is stoppage of cocaine use.
To stop any substance use patient motivation is required. With such a high use of cocaine I would advice you to get admitted in some de addiction facility around or nearby your place. Although withdrawal occur during stoppage of cocaine use but they are tolerable in supervision of de addiction specialist.
Usually psychiatrist practice as de addiction because of their experience in this area. If you find any difficulty in locating de addiction center then you can take help of some nearby psychiatrist.
Till you get specialist consultation, reduce cocaine use 5% every alternate day.
Most of the cognitive deficit reverse after stoppage of cocaine use if it is occurring due to cocaine intoxication or withdrawal. Some deficit may remain due to permanent damage to brain. So, It is high time to stop cocaine use.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
Important aspects of your query are:
• 37 year old female
• Known case of cocaine addiction
• Concern related to nose perforation and deformity
.
You are right that regular use of cocaine use lead to nose perforation and deformity. The only solution to prevent it, is stoppage of cocaine use.
To stop any substance use patient motivation is required. With such a high use of cocaine I would advice you to get admitted in some de addiction facility around or nearby your place. Although withdrawal occur during stoppage of cocaine use but they are tolerable in supervision of de addiction specialist.
Usually psychiatrist practice as de addiction because of their experience in this area. If you find any difficulty in locating de addiction center then you can take help of some nearby psychiatrist.
Till you get specialist consultation, reduce cocaine use 5% every alternate day.
Most of the cognitive deficit reverse after stoppage of cocaine use if it is occurring due to cocaine intoxication or withdrawal. Some deficit may remain due to permanent damage to brain. So, It is high time to stop cocaine use.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply Dr. Mittal, however I still do not have a clear answer about the damage it has (or could) on my nose and to what extent? Yes, stopping it would prevent further nose damage but my concern is--could it already be damaged or deformed with that frequency, amount, and length of time I've used? or I should not be paranoid worrying about it? I am getting variable answers from people I know and from the web.
You did not answer what are those white fiber gooey chunks inside my nose that comes out with my mucus---are these nasal tissues or parts of the cartilage? I do not feel any perforation on my septum though, if so, how can I check?
I have been seeing a psychiatrist in my area because of depression and sleeping disorder but the antidepressants did not help--they all gave me all the negative side effects :( My psychiatrist is aware of my cocaine use but as she said--nobody can help me but myself..
Can I stop cocaine cold turkey? Each time I buy I tell myself it is to taper down till I stop to prevent withdrawal but each time I have cocaine, I take the same amount and frequency--cannot help it. Its effect on me is making me numb to escape from reality and isolated myself from anyone which is not healthy.
You mentioned I have to reduce cocaine dose every other day until I consult a specialist but I have been seeing a psychiatrist and as we both know, the only way to stop is my motivation. So it means I cannot stop right now?
I hope my cognitive deficit can be reversed, I have deteriorated mentally, emotionally and physically from cocaine use :(
Are there ways or vitamins or supplements I should take to prevent withdrawal? I cannot afford to be admitted in a rehab so I need your advice because I must do it alone.
Warm Regards
You did not answer what are those white fiber gooey chunks inside my nose that comes out with my mucus---are these nasal tissues or parts of the cartilage? I do not feel any perforation on my septum though, if so, how can I check?
I have been seeing a psychiatrist in my area because of depression and sleeping disorder but the antidepressants did not help--they all gave me all the negative side effects :( My psychiatrist is aware of my cocaine use but as she said--nobody can help me but myself..
Can I stop cocaine cold turkey? Each time I buy I tell myself it is to taper down till I stop to prevent withdrawal but each time I have cocaine, I take the same amount and frequency--cannot help it. Its effect on me is making me numb to escape from reality and isolated myself from anyone which is not healthy.
You mentioned I have to reduce cocaine dose every other day until I consult a specialist but I have been seeing a psychiatrist and as we both know, the only way to stop is my motivation. So it means I cannot stop right now?
I hope my cognitive deficit can be reversed, I have deteriorated mentally, emotionally and physically from cocaine use :(
Are there ways or vitamins or supplements I should take to prevent withdrawal? I cannot afford to be admitted in a rehab so I need your advice because I must do it alone.
Warm Regards
Hello again,
Thanks for follow up,
Cocaine cause damage to nose septum by local irritation and inflammation. White fibers in mucous indicate that destruction of nasal septum is in process. Extent of damage can be assessed by local examination by ENT (Ear, nose and throat) specialist. But important thing is that further damage can be prevented by stoppage of cocaine.
Your depression and sleeping disorder is also may be due to cocaine use and treatment of these issues is important during de addiction.
Following steps will help you:
-Continue you treatment for depression and sleep problem. It is good that you are already under psychiatrist follow up. He will help you at least to control anxiety, depression and sleep difficulty during cocaine tapering phase.
-I think self cold XXXXXXX method is not good for you, considering severe withdrawal and no implementation of this plan by you for long time.
-Strictly reduce cocaine use 5% every alternate day. Inform your close friends and family members regarding this and take their help in monitoring of amount of cocaine use.
-Make written plan of tapering on calender. It will keep you motivated for same. With this you can taper and stop your cocaine with in one month.
-Keep in touch with psychiatrist and inform him regarding progress.
-Drink plenty of water and take multivitamins.
Please accept my answer in case there are no further queries and recommend our services to your friends too if you have found it helpful.
Wish you good health.
Regards.
Thanks for follow up,
Cocaine cause damage to nose septum by local irritation and inflammation. White fibers in mucous indicate that destruction of nasal septum is in process. Extent of damage can be assessed by local examination by ENT (Ear, nose and throat) specialist. But important thing is that further damage can be prevented by stoppage of cocaine.
Your depression and sleeping disorder is also may be due to cocaine use and treatment of these issues is important during de addiction.
Following steps will help you:
-Continue you treatment for depression and sleep problem. It is good that you are already under psychiatrist follow up. He will help you at least to control anxiety, depression and sleep difficulty during cocaine tapering phase.
-I think self cold XXXXXXX method is not good for you, considering severe withdrawal and no implementation of this plan by you for long time.
-Strictly reduce cocaine use 5% every alternate day. Inform your close friends and family members regarding this and take their help in monitoring of amount of cocaine use.
-Make written plan of tapering on calender. It will keep you motivated for same. With this you can taper and stop your cocaine with in one month.
-Keep in touch with psychiatrist and inform him regarding progress.
-Drink plenty of water and take multivitamins.
Please accept my answer in case there are no further queries and recommend our services to your friends too if you have found it helpful.
Wish you good health.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
If white fibers in mucus indicates that nasal septum destruction is in process, does it mean my nose will already get deformed that will be apparent?
Can you treat depression without taking antidepressants?
I also understand Cocaine can XXXXXXX dopamine levels in the brain, would you advise short term medication of dopamine agonist or my brain will restore them after stopping cocaine?
I have been taking rivotril and nozinan for years for my sleeping disorder.
You said I have to stop cocaine to prevent further damage to my nose and to reverse cognitive deficit so if I still continue with tapering down it won't prevent further damage.
Last time I used was yesterday and no more today, you think it is possible to stop it cold XXXXXXX rather than tapering off?
Many thanks
Can you treat depression without taking antidepressants?
I also understand Cocaine can XXXXXXX dopamine levels in the brain, would you advise short term medication of dopamine agonist or my brain will restore them after stopping cocaine?
I have been taking rivotril and nozinan for years for my sleeping disorder.
You said I have to stop cocaine to prevent further damage to my nose and to reverse cognitive deficit so if I still continue with tapering down it won't prevent further damage.
Last time I used was yesterday and no more today, you think it is possible to stop it cold XXXXXXX rather than tapering off?
Many thanks
Thanks for follow up again,
If white fibers in mucus indicates that nasal septum destruction is in process, does it mean my nose will already get deformed that will be apparent?
Ans: Current deformity can be confirmed by examination by ENT specialist.
Can you treat depression without taking antidepressants?
Ans: Without medicine only mild depression is treatable by in person counseling in form of CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). You can search for some psychologist trained in CBT nearby your place.
I also understand Cocaine can XXXXXXX dopamine levels in the brain, would you advise short term medication of dopamine agonist or my brain will restore them after stopping cocaine?
Ans: By slow tapering you will not need dopamine agonist. I would also not prefer dopamine agonist in your case due to addiction risk.
I have been taking rivotril and nozinan for years for my sleeping disorder.
Ans: Many sleep related issues will solve after stoppage of coccaine. After that taper Rivotril slowly as I advised you for cocaine. To stop nozinan take your psychiatrist advice.
You said I have to stop cocaine to prevent further damage to my nose and to reverse cognitive deficit so if I still continue with tapering down it won't prevent further damage.
Ans: stoppage of cocaine will prevent further damage.
Last time I used was yesterday and no more today, you think it is possible to stop it cold XXXXXXX rather than tapering off?
Ans: You can try cold XXXXXXX If you are not able to stop cocaine with this method, then switch to slow tapering method.
Please accept my answer in case there are no further queries and recommend our services to your friends too if you have found it helpful.
Wish you good health.
Regards.
If white fibers in mucus indicates that nasal septum destruction is in process, does it mean my nose will already get deformed that will be apparent?
Ans: Current deformity can be confirmed by examination by ENT specialist.
Can you treat depression without taking antidepressants?
Ans: Without medicine only mild depression is treatable by in person counseling in form of CBT (cognitive behavior therapy). You can search for some psychologist trained in CBT nearby your place.
I also understand Cocaine can XXXXXXX dopamine levels in the brain, would you advise short term medication of dopamine agonist or my brain will restore them after stopping cocaine?
Ans: By slow tapering you will not need dopamine agonist. I would also not prefer dopamine agonist in your case due to addiction risk.
I have been taking rivotril and nozinan for years for my sleeping disorder.
Ans: Many sleep related issues will solve after stoppage of coccaine. After that taper Rivotril slowly as I advised you for cocaine. To stop nozinan take your psychiatrist advice.
You said I have to stop cocaine to prevent further damage to my nose and to reverse cognitive deficit so if I still continue with tapering down it won't prevent further damage.
Ans: stoppage of cocaine will prevent further damage.
Last time I used was yesterday and no more today, you think it is possible to stop it cold XXXXXXX rather than tapering off?
Ans: You can try cold XXXXXXX If you are not able to stop cocaine with this method, then switch to slow tapering method.
Please accept my answer in case there are no further queries and recommend our services to your friends too if you have found it helpful.
Wish you good health.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doc, I was able to stop Cocaine for a week but unfortunately I had some again since past 4 days :( I was not craving but was so bored and stressed with my life and the direction it is going--bad business, financial trouble, i have lost my social skills and communication skills and interpersonal skills and cocaine makes me numb and stoned (instead of being lively and talkative and energetic) Since I had depression this year, I have become more and more withdrawn and isolated myself at home that I have no physical activity (I used to go to the gym regularly) and have lost my self confidence. I have lost my old self where I was gregarious, lively and social. How come cocaine makes me mute and isolated and antisocial?
As for my depression and cocaine use, I have been seeing a psychiatrist for years but all i do is talk and I don't see how it is helping since she cannot tell me what to do and I am the only one who can help myself by changing my habits but why is it so hard for me to go out from the house now and face people? Cocaine and being isolated made me dumb, can this be reversed and how? I really plan to stop starting tomorrow and not to buy anymore cocaine and I want to be social and see people again but why does the thought of going out make me feel anxious? I also want to ask if cocaine can also make your nose bigger especially the bottom part on both sides of the nose--Is this because of inflammation of the nasal wall and will this subside when stopping cocaine? I also want to ask what are the early signs of nasal erosion or nose damage and is this just inside the nose or will appear outside the nose and can it change the shape of the nose? Why does snorting also seemed to have damaged my teeth that they shifted?
As for my depression and cocaine use, I have been seeing a psychiatrist for years but all i do is talk and I don't see how it is helping since she cannot tell me what to do and I am the only one who can help myself by changing my habits but why is it so hard for me to go out from the house now and face people? Cocaine and being isolated made me dumb, can this be reversed and how? I really plan to stop starting tomorrow and not to buy anymore cocaine and I want to be social and see people again but why does the thought of going out make me feel anxious? I also want to ask if cocaine can also make your nose bigger especially the bottom part on both sides of the nose--Is this because of inflammation of the nasal wall and will this subside when stopping cocaine? I also want to ask what are the early signs of nasal erosion or nose damage and is this just inside the nose or will appear outside the nose and can it change the shape of the nose? Why does snorting also seemed to have damaged my teeth that they shifted?
Hello again,
As for my depression and cocaine use, I have been seeing a psychiatrist for years but all i do is talk and I don't see how it is helping since she cannot tell me what to do and I am the only one who can help myself by changing my habits but why is it so hard for me to go out from the house now and face people? Cocaine and being isolated made me dumb, can this be reversed and how?
Ans: From your query it appear you have multiple symptoms of Depression. I would have preferred drug therapy in form of anti depressants in your case. Depression is also one of the reason for relapse.
I really plan to stop starting tomorrow and not to buy anymore cocaine and I want to be social and see people again but why does the thought of going out make me feel anxious? I also want to ask if cocaine can also make your nose bigger especially the bottom part on both sides of the nose--Is this because of inflammation of the nasal wall and will this subside when stopping cocaine?
Ans: You need treatment for Depression and rehabilitation is better option for that. About broadning of nose and reversibility doubt, you need opinion from ENT specialist after examination. In early stages changes are usually reversible.
I also want to ask what are the early signs of nasal erosion or nose damage and is this just inside the nose or will appear outside the nose and can it change the shape of the nose? Why does snorting also seemed to have damaged my teeth that they shifted?
Ans: Passing white flakes, excessive nasal secretion and frequent nasal infection are early symptoms and signs. Progression of damage to bone may lead to teeth deformity.
So, still first step is remain motivated and quit cocaine. Even you slip then also quit cocaine again and again till you become successful.
Please accept my answer in case there are no further queries and recommend our services to your friends too if you have found it helpful.
Wish you good health.
Regards.
As for my depression and cocaine use, I have been seeing a psychiatrist for years but all i do is talk and I don't see how it is helping since she cannot tell me what to do and I am the only one who can help myself by changing my habits but why is it so hard for me to go out from the house now and face people? Cocaine and being isolated made me dumb, can this be reversed and how?
Ans: From your query it appear you have multiple symptoms of Depression. I would have preferred drug therapy in form of anti depressants in your case. Depression is also one of the reason for relapse.
I really plan to stop starting tomorrow and not to buy anymore cocaine and I want to be social and see people again but why does the thought of going out make me feel anxious? I also want to ask if cocaine can also make your nose bigger especially the bottom part on both sides of the nose--Is this because of inflammation of the nasal wall and will this subside when stopping cocaine?
Ans: You need treatment for Depression and rehabilitation is better option for that. About broadning of nose and reversibility doubt, you need opinion from ENT specialist after examination. In early stages changes are usually reversible.
I also want to ask what are the early signs of nasal erosion or nose damage and is this just inside the nose or will appear outside the nose and can it change the shape of the nose? Why does snorting also seemed to have damaged my teeth that they shifted?
Ans: Passing white flakes, excessive nasal secretion and frequent nasal infection are early symptoms and signs. Progression of damage to bone may lead to teeth deformity.
So, still first step is remain motivated and quit cocaine. Even you slip then also quit cocaine again and again till you become successful.
Please accept my answer in case there are no further queries and recommend our services to your friends too if you have found it helpful.
Wish you good health.
Regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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