The Guardian Danniella Westbrook bears the stigmata of coke addiction on her face. Cocaine constricts the blood vessels. As the drug wears off and the blood begins to flow normally again, users often experience the symptoms of a bad cold with a runny nose or stuffiness and irritation.
Holes develop in the membrane separating the nostrils.
They get bigger with frequent snorting until there is no membrane left - and in worst cases, no septum either. Danniella has a classic case of what doctors call saddle nose deformity. Set against the damage are the legendary highs. Like amphetamines, cocaine makes you feel exhilaration and indifference to pain and tiredness. It makes you feel you are braver, stronger, brighter and more beautiful than all the rest of the world put together.