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Do you know someone suffering from cocaine usage? You may have noticed the visible and sometimes alarming side effects that can be on the nose and face of cocaine users. Cocaine can have devastating effects on the body, especially those parts of the face/body where the cocaine is coming in direct contact. Saddle nose, or when caused by cocaine, “coke nose” is a condition where you are left with a hole in your nose. In this post, we will explore the various ways cocaine affects facial appearances and the nasal structure, as well as how damage progresses over time and the potential treatment options for recovery.
The term, “Cocaine Face” is a term that describes the physical reaction of the facial features caused by long-term usage of cocaine. Cocaine faces can look different on people so identifying it can be difficult. Cocaine may cause bloating for some, while others may suffer from sunken face or cheeks. The same thing goes for the eye's reaction.
Cocaine faces can cause bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils. Red eyes are also a common outcome of using cocaine.
Cocaine is a potent vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows the blood vessels and restricts blood flow to tissues. This can cause visible and permanent changes to one’s face and even cause skin conditions such as cellulitis, abscesses, or worse, dangerous decaying of the skin tissues. Below are some common symptoms of cocaine face.
The effects of cocaine face will differ per person. If you are having a hard time telling if someone you know is using cocaine, you may also be able to realize it by identifying other negative behaviors such as poor sleep, dehydration and lack of proper nutrition. Constant cocaine usage weakens the body’s immune system. Overtime, the body will no longer be able to support itself. The results of long term cocaine usage are irreversible.
Cocaine face shows us the reaction of recent cocaine usage whereas cocaine nose is the occurrence and effect of chronic snorting of the drug.
The nose is one of the most popular ways to ingest cocaine and therefore is directly impacted by drug use. The results of doing cocaine through the nasal passage can result in deformities which is where the term, cocaine nose came from. This can start out as something as simple as having a constant runny nose to more extreme cases such as causing a perforation.
What happens to the nose and body of those long-term users? Cocaine disrupts the blood flow to the nasal septum which can divide the nostrils and in result, there is lack of blood supply going to the nose and the nasal tissues are starved for blood. If there is no circulation of the blood, this leads to detrimental outcomes for the nose. If a user continues to use cocaine it can cause ulcers and sores inside the nose (this can lead to inflections, inflammation, and ultimately the deterioration of the septum). If that were to happen, it would create a perforation, a hole in the septum. Essentially the middle of the nose where bone and cartilage meet and divide the right and left nostrils is referred to as the septum. The septum extends far back into the nose so if a perforation is created, it would create a connection/passageway of the two nostrils instead of leaving them separated.
A deviated septum is a condition where the nasal septum is no longer straight. Some people are born with a deviated septum and most mild cases typically don’t cause any problems or can be fixed with medication. When someone sniffs cocaine regularly, they are ultimately causing the nose to not get enough oxygen or blood which can lead to a perforation.
If a deviated septum goes untreated, the nose can collapse completely because the septum is the structural integrity of the nose. In some cases, a deviated septum can be fixed by surgery called septoplasty, however it will depend on how bad the perforation or “coke nose” is and whether the person is also willing to stop using cocaine. If cocaine is used often enough by sniffing, and if a perforation is formed and untreated, this can cause loss of cartilage and tissue which would form a “Saddle Nose”. Saddle Nose is a term used to describe the deformity of a collapsed nasal bridge which would cause the nose to sag.
Pictures of cocaine noses can be unsettling and shocking. Knowing what a cocaine nose looks like is not only educational, but also can help you identify if someone you love is suffering from cocaine use. These pictures highlight the severity of the nasal damage caused by long-term use.
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Knowing what a cocaine nose looks like can help deter those that haven’t got to this stage and hopefully provide a wake-up call for those currently struggling. It also helps us become knowledgeable and able to identify cocaine addiction early.
We’ve mentioned a few different terms in this post. All the terminology we’ve used are terms to describe the damage caused by cocaine, however each term does relate to different stages or aspects of the condition.
If you or a loved one have a cocaine addiction you may be suffering from any of the above mentioned issues, the sooner you get help, the better. The longer the addiction lasts, the more damage is caused (which may be irreversible). Below are some ways to treat cocaine addiction. What may start as a euphoric dopamine rush can often become an addiction. An addiction that may change one’s life forever if gone untreated. The terms we’ve used today such as “cocaine face”, “coke nose”, or “saddle nose” describe only some of the consequences from long-term cocaine usage. From chronic nosebleeds, congestion, or nose collapse, can be irreversible and can deeply impact the quality of life. If you or someone you love or know is struggling with cocaine addiction, it is never too late to seek help. Early intervention and correct treatment can help prevent permanent damage and begin the journey to recovery. The first step is always the hardest and the most important.
Call an addiction specialist with North Palm Beach Recovery for recommendations for treatment options at (561) 463-8867.
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