Cocaine and meth are different drugs with some similar effects. Both drugs are incredibly powerful and addictive – often leading their users to develop stimulant abuse issues. While both drugs are dangerous on their own, meth and cocaine are even more dangerous when combined.   

Understanding Meth

To understand how dangerous it is to combine meth and cocaine, one must first understand each drug individually. 

What is Meth?

Meth is an extremely potent and addictive stimulant drug. Typically, this drug takes the form of either a powder or more often bluish, white crystal fragments. It can be smoked, snorted, injected, or even swallowed (if made into a pill).  

The Effects of Meth Use 

Once consumed, meth will primarily affect a person’s central nervous system. In doing so, meth can have a variety of effects on that person’s body and mind. The main effects of meth use typically include: 

• Increased energy and physical activity
• Decreased appetite
• Rapid breathing
• Quicker or irregular heartbeat
• Heightened blood pressure and body temperature 

The Side Effects of Meth Use 

Unfortunately, meth use also comes with several undesired effects. These typically include: 

• Addiction
• Weight loss
• Dental issues
• Itching 
• Anxiety
• Brain deficits (confusion, memory loss)
• Issues sleeping
• Violent behavior 
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations

Understanding Cocaine 

As dangerous as meth use can be, it is only half the problem when combined with another stimulant like cocaine. 

What is Cocaine? 

Like meth, cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant drug. It is made from the leaves of coca plants that can usually be found in South America. When sold in the illegal drug trade, cocaine takes the form of a fine, white powder. There are a number of ways to consume cocaine; however, it is typically snorted. 

The Effects of Cocaine Use

When consumed, cocaine affects a person’s central nervous system, meaning it affects their body and mind. Most users will experience the following when consuming cocaine: 

• Euphoria
• Burst of energy
• Increased mental alertness
• Hypersensitivity

The Side Effects of Cocaine Use

Cocaine can also have a number of unintended effects on a person, including: 

• Addiction
• Irritability
• Tremors and muscle twitches
• Sleeping issues
• Paranoia
• Malnourishment (from loss of appetite)
• Movement disorders (such as Parkinson’s Disease)

Danger of Combining Meth and Cocaine Use

Meth and cocaine are dangerous drugs to consume on their own, but they are even more dangerous and potentially deadly when combined. Both drugs are stimulants that increase brain activity and several bodily functions, which can lead to several risks when combined. These include:

Hyperthermia 

Like hypothermia, hyperthermia is a serious medical condition concerning body heat. However, hyperthermia occurs when the body becomes too warm and lacks heat regulation. Stimulant drugs like meth and cocaine cause a person to have more energy, which is almost always coupled with a higher body temperature. If one consumes two stimulant drugs, they are at an elevated risk for hyperthermia, which can result in confusion, irritability, and even death.  

Heart Attack 

Stimulants not only increase body temperature but also a person’s heart rate. Consuming two stimulants like meth and cocaine can elevate one’s heart rate too high and result in a heart attack. Although heart attacks are survivable, they can lead to a variety of adverse effects on a person’s overall health and wellbeing. 

Overdose 

When consuming two or more powerful substances like meth and cocaine, it can be difficult to know how much a person is consuming. It is easy to lose track and overdose on just meth or just cocaine. However, in combining the two, a person is far more likely to overdose, which can result in becoming comatose or even dying. 

Searching for Stimulant Abuse Treatment in Your Area? 

A stimulant abuse problem is a serious condition. If you or a loved one is abusing one or more stimulants like meth and cocaine, professional addiction services are available in your area! At Knoxville Recovery Center, our team of addiction specialists offer a variety of stimulant abuse treatments and therapies. Contact us today to learn more!