Overdoses of alcochol can result in respiratory arrest and and death. The use of illicit drugs usually causes the same general type of physiological and mental changes as alcohol, though frequently those changes are more severe and more sudden. Death or coma resulting from overdose of drugs is more frequent than from alcohol. Cocaine is a stimulant that is most commonly inhaled as a powder. It can be dissolved in water and used intravenously.
Users can progress from infrequent use to dependence within a few weeks or months.
Psychological and behavioral changes resulting from use include over-stimulation, hallucinations, irritability, sexual dysfunction, psychotic behavior, social isolation, and memory problems. An overdose produces convulsions and delirium and may result in death from cardiac arrest. Discontinuing the use of cocaine requires considerable assistance, close supervision and treatment. Patterns of use and associated effects are similar to cocaine. Severe intoxication may produce confusion, rambling or incoherent speech, anxiety, psychotic behavior, ringing in the ears, hallucinations, and irreversible brain damage.