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Picture this, you’re going about your day when a portion of your vision starts to go fuzzy. A feeling of terror courses through your body and your breathing starts to become irregular and erratic. It feels like static is running down your arms. The next thing you know, you’re slowly coming to on the floor. You feel disoriented and sluggish like the world is hazy.
You just experienced a seizure.
Seizures are not uncommon for many people. Over 4.5 million people across the United States have some form of epilepsy. While many people are born with seizure disorders, seizures can also occur because of substance use. As one of the oldest non-profit rehab centers in the state, our team at Serenity Lane always strives to help our community. Knowledge is always beneficial when it comes to lowering the stigma of substance use and helping people make informed decisions about their health. Today we’re going to talk about cocaine and seizures, why they happen, and what you can do if you experience a cocaine-related seizure.
Cocaine is a type of stimulant drug, meaning it speeds up many of our body’s systems when it’s present. Most frequently this can impact your heart rate and breathing, but at times, this overstimulation can lead to changes in our movement and brain activity.
The most common instance of cocaine use directly leading to seizures occurs when someone overdoses on cocaine. If you have too much cocaine in your system for your body to process, it can start to shut down. For cocaine specifically, this can lead to stroke, heart attacks, and seizures.
As we mentioned briefly, cocaine causes the body to “speed up,” but it’s more complex than that.
One of the primary functions of cocaine is altering the dopamine systems in our brains. Dopamine is the reward chemical that our bodies naturally produce after things like eating or having sex. It results in us feeling pleasure. Additionally, dopamine plays an important role in memory, mood, sleep, concentration, and more.
Dopamine filters through our body, utilizing dopamine receptors to be processed properly in the body. These receptors help dopamine be filtered through the body so that these feelings of pleasure last an appropriate amount of time.
When cocaine is present in the brain, it binds to dopamine receptors. This causes dopamine to be unable to recycle back into the body, resulting in a build-up. This build-up is what leads to the heightened euphoria most people experience during cocaine consumption.
With long-term cocaine use also comes the additional risk of other parts of the brain being altered or damaged. The most common areas noted to be impacted by cocaine over time include the orbitofrontal cortex and the ventral tegmental area of the brain. These areas have to do with decision-making and stress management.
Those who have a seizure disorder are more susceptible to experiencing a seizure from substances that can cause them. In the case of cocaine, this means you would have a higher chance of experiencing a seizure even without long-term use or an overdose.
This isn’t unique to cocaine, either. Alcohol, for example, can worsen or trigger seizure disorders.
If you have a seizure disorder, the other thing you have to be concerned about is how different substances can interact with any seizure medication you take. When you have more than one kind of substance in your body at a time, this is known as polysubstance use. This can occur both with two or more illicit substances or with a combination of medication and alcohol or other illicit drugs.
While there are several kinds of seizure medication, many fall into the same category of “depressant.” A depressant-type medication or substance slows down the body and the central nervous system within it.
Combining a depressant with a stimulant like cocaine is very dangerous. The two “counteract” each other, making you falsely feel as though you’re not experiencing the effects of either. This can lead to you consuming more of one of the substances without realizing how much is truly in your system already. Just because you aren’t feeling the full effects, doesn’t mean your body isn’t on the verge of being overwhelmed.
Not everyone who has a seizure disorder has had one since birth. It is very possible to develop a seizure disorder later in life. This usually occurs due to trauma to the brain, whether from a physical injury or from long-term substance use.
While cocaine itself will not increase your chances of developing a seizure disorder if you overdose on cocaine and experience seizures, your risk increases.
This doesn’t mean that having a single seizure is going to cause you to develop a seizure disorder. According to the CDC, 1 in 10 people will experience a seizure in their lifetime. They’re not uncommon. The more frequently you have seizures, however, the much greater chance you have of developing a seizure disorder because of it. This means that if you repeatedly engage with cocaine, or if you experience multiple cocaine overdoses, you do increase the chances that you could develop epilepsy or other seizure disorders.
Seizures aren’t the only thing that can develop because of cocaine. As we touched on earlier in the piece, cocaine impacts the brain in big ways. The more frequently the brain is altered by cocaine, the more likely some of these changes can leave a lasting impact.
Here are some of the most common side effects of cocaine that impact our brains and behaviors:
Substance use as a whole also impacts behavior beyond chemicals. With a cocaine use disorder can come financial trouble, worsening of relationships with loved ones, withdrawing from activities you used to enjoy, and a decrease in personal care and hygiene. These can all contribute to your overall mood and mental health.
The primary way to spot the difference between a regular seizure and a seizure caused by cocaine comes from the context clues.
If you were around the person as they were engaging in cocaine and they experienced a seizure, you can be more certain that it stems from the cocaine. If you did not see them consume cocaine, you would need to pay attention to other behaviors.
|
Physical Signs of Cocaine Use |
Behavioral Signs of Cocaine Use |
|
Enlarged pupils |
Increased energy |
|
Dizziness |
Euphoria |
|
Headaches |
Erratic behavior |
|
High body temperature |
Irritability or increased aggression |
| Rapid breathing |
Talking more than usual |
If you notice these signs prior to the seizure occurring, it could be related to cocaine use.
If this is the case, what should you do?
Watching someone have a seizure is terrifying. If you’ve never seen someone have a seizure before, you may be paralyzed yourself, uncertain of what to do. Don’t worry, there are things you can do to ensure their safety during a seizure.
The most important thing to remember is to NOT try to restrain someone who is having a seizure. If they’re not already on the ground, do your best to ensure they’re in a place where they won’t hurt themselves. This can mean putting cushions around them or moving furniture and objects that they could hit and hurt themselves on.
Find a flat pillow or flooded blanket and place it gently under their head to help support them. Do your best to time the seizure. It doesn’t have to be exact, but an approximate time can make a big difference when it comes to how severe the seizure is as well as how medical professionals can help them.
If the person is in the middle of eating or drinking when they experience the seizure, roll them onto their side immediately to help ensure they don’t choke. Otherwise, after the seizure move them gently into the recovery position. As the person comes to, they will likely be disoriented. Don’t offer them food or drink until you’re certain they’re more coherent. Talk with them calmly and inform them what happened.
If the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes, or they have multiple seizures in a row, call for medical help.
If you’re looking for help stepping away from cocaine, we’re here to tell you that recovery is always possible. Looking into cocaine treatment programs can seem overwhelming, but there are options available for you that can work with your needs.
There are both inpatient and outpatient programs available to help you with your recovery process. Inpatient allows you to be in a safe space where you can focus solely on recovery. This is often utilized as a way to build a strong foundation for long-term healing.
After inpatient, many people make the transition to outpatient. This can help provide ongoing support as you adjust to your life back at home. Other people may feel outpatient recovery is the best option for them to start with. As you get assessed, you will speak with medical professionals, working together to decide what treatment path is best for you.
There’s no wrong time to get started on recovery. Our team here at Serenity Lane is ready to help. We offer the full continuum of care, from detox to outpatient, so you’ll get the support you need when you need it. Just give us a call anytime at 800-543-9905 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Finding serenity in long-term recovery.
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