Cocaine Risks

You are right, in this day and age most people don't worry if someone uses cocaine once a month. But they do sort of keep an eye on it, particularly if they are involved with this friend personally, so there is something about how this use might affect you which goes into the mix as it is well known that cocaine is an addictive drug. so we are looking at the amounts used, so if someone used large amounts, we would be more concerned. If a person moved from using it on a social occasion to using it privately, then we would certainly be getting the wind up. There is no easy number of occasions to give you. It is likely that if they are using dangerously they will hide it. Where they start changing the way they live, where there is lying to themselves or others. Where chaos creeps in.

I would be looking to see whether this person was reasonably satisfied with life. There is more risk if someone is unhappy, depressed or dealing with difficult personal circumstances. Are they self confident.

The other thing is to look at the use of other substances, particularly alcohol The use of alcohol eases the path to cocaine and there are similarlties in the drugs involved. It also enables a person to drink more alcohol without passing out.

If you do have any concerns, it is worth while voicing them and giving the reasons why you are concerned. Make sure you have the numbers of helpful agencies to hand.

It will also be useful for you to know the risks of blood borne viruses from sharing "notes", and to look up the risks of cocaine, in terms of losing money, jobs, houses, relationships etc. There is a lot of money lost through this drug.

I like your concern. Take care! Jill Edwards