OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Cocaine Experience Reflection

8/31/2025, 10:55:06 AMMale25-34

Gender: Male Age: 26 Height: 180 cm Weight: Approximately 80 kg Overall Health: Generally well, no current medications or health issues. Last night, I consumed alcohol and tried cocaine for the first time, using about 0.5g. This will surely be my only encounter with it. Now, more than five hours later, I find myself feeling anxious and restless, with my heart rate elevated. Despite having been awake the entire night, I am unable to fall asleep. I'm curious about how long these effects will linger. When can I expect to feel normal again? The information I read online only intensified my worries. It frequently mentions effects lasting 30 to 60 minutes, yet I seem to be well beyond that time frame by now...

COPDInternal Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

8/31/2025, 10:55:23 AM

OpenHealth AI

It’s completely understandable to feel anxious after trying a new substance like cocaine, especially for the first time. Your symptoms of anxiety, restlessness, and elevated heart rate are not uncommon after cocaine use, especially when mixed with alcohol. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect and some steps you can take to feel more comfortable.

Effects Duration

Cocaine can have stimulant effects that last from 30 minutes to a few hours, but lingering effects such as anxiety, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping can last significantly longer, sometimes extending to 24 hours or more, especially after a higher dose or if combined with alcohol. Your body is reacting to the stimulant effects and the aftereffects can vary greatly from person to person.

Immediate Steps

To help you manage your symptoms and start feeling better, consider the following:

  1. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water. This can help flush out toxins and may ease some symptoms of anxiety.

  2. Rest in a Calm Environment: Try to find a quiet place where you can relax. Soft lighting and minimal noise can help create a soothing atmosphere.

  3. Practice Deep Breathing: Engage in deep breathing exercises. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale through your mouth. This can help reduce anxiety and slow down your heart rate.

  4. Avoid Stimulants: Stay away from caffeine or other stimulants as they may exacerbate your feelings of anxiety and restlessness.

  5. Gentle Activity: If you feel up to it, gentle walking or stretching can help release pent-up energy and improve your mood without overexerting yourself.

Monitoring Your Symptoms

Keep track of how you're feeling. If your anxiety worsens, or if you experience severe symptoms—such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or extreme agitation—examine the need for further action to ensure your safety.

When to Expect Relief

While some effects may begin to subside in a few hours, it is important to allow yourself a full day to recover. Most people start feeling more like themselves within 24 hours after the substance fully clears from their system.

Final Thoughts

You've made a decision to avoid this experience in the future, which is a positive step. Use this time to reflect on how you felt and consider healthy ways to cope with stress in the future. If you continue to feel anxious or need support, consider reaching out to a mental health professional.

Take care of yourself, and remember that what you're experiencing is not uncommon. Focus on gradual relaxation and hydration, and you should feel normal again soon.

Related Questions

Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk

A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.

COPDInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
1 hour ago

24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident

**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?

Thyroid DisordersCOPDInternal Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns

I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.

FibromyalgiaCrohn's DiseaseCOPD
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline

18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.

ArthritisLupusInternal Medicine
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight

As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods

Thyroid DisordersInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
2 hours ago