What are cocaine’s long-term effects?
Chronic use of cocaine can cause heart problems, permanent liver damage, nutritional deficiencies, and long-term changes in the brain, triggering intense craving for cocaine. In addition, research has shown that long-term cocaine use can compromise the immune system. Other effects are related to how cocaine is administered. Snorting: Snorting cocaine may cause a loss of the sense of smell, nose bleeds, sores around the nose and upper lip, swallowing problems, hoarseness, and sinus problems. Stuffy or runny noses are common and chronic use may damage the structures on the inside of the nose. Because of cocaine’s anesthetic effects, users may not be aware of the extent of damage to their nose and mouth. Smoking: Smoking crack can cause severe chest pain, wheezing, chronic cough, parched lips, tongue, and throat, extreme hoarseness, singed eyebrows and lashes, and burns on fingers. In the extreme, crack can cause bleeding in the lungs and “crack lung,” a condition characterized by pneumon
