By Susan J. Campbell

If you think a friend or family member might be using or addicted to cocaine, there are several signs that can point to it. A recent press release from Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia shares these signs. As cocaine addiction can occur very quickly and can be extremely difficult to break, identifying the signs early can make the difference between life and death.

In animal studies, it has been shown that animals will work very hard for a single injection of cocaine, will choose the drug over food or water, and will take cocaine even when the behavior is punished. Humans with a cocaine addiction will act very much the same way.

Some of the more obvious signs include staying up very late, becoming irritable or short-tempered, and losing weight. Another telltale sign of a cocaine habit is constant sniffing. Cocaine snorting wears out the lining of the nose, causing it to be raw, red, and scabbed. Injection marks on the arms, knees, and feet are also red flags. Crack use will often burn the lips of the person smoking it, so burns on the face or hands are indicators. A person’s finger and thumb will also have black calluses where they flick the lighter repeatedly to smoke.

Personal appearance can be another giveaway. Cocaine addiction causes glassy eyes and very large pupils. The person will have a hard time relaxing, often appearing to be hyper. The person may have trouble sitting still. He or she may stay awake for extended periods of time and then crash and sleep for days. The person may be very thirsty and will usually stop eating and become very thin. Skin tone is known to suffer, and breakouts and chapping on the face are common.

Pay close attention to the loved ones in your life tp see if any of these signs emerge; if they do, be prepared to confront him or her or initiate an intervention with other friends and family members—it could save your loved one’s life.