What Are Cocaine Eyes? | Signs & Symptoms | Cocaine Pupils

Cocaine is a potent drug that triggers serious effects on the body and mind. One of the most visible signs of cocaine use is known as cocaine eyes or cocaine pupils. These changes involve unusually large pupils, redness, and a glassy or bloodshot appearance. If you or someone you love uses cocaine, becoming aware of these signs can help you recognize when support is needed.

This page explores what are cocaine eyes, and what eyes look like when under the influence of drugs. We’ll touch on how this happens and the wider risks associated with cocaine abuse. You will also learn about effective addiction treatment and how to connect with compassionate care.

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a potent stimulant of the CNS (central nervous system) that makes people feel more alert, energetic, and confident [1]. It’s made from coca leaves native to South America and has been used in various forms for centuries. Today, however, cocaine is an illegal Schedule II drug due to its high risk for addiction and serious health problems [2].

People typically use cocaine in powder form by snorting it, running it on their gums, or dissolving and injecting it. Cocaine may also be processed into a smokable crystal form called crack cocaine. When someone takes cocaine in any form, it creates an intense but fleeting high, which leads many people to use more of the drug to extend the effects. That said, repeated use can rapidly lead to the development of dependence and addiction, causing a cycle that’s challenging to break without professional help. 

Cocaine is known by many street names, including coke, blow, and rock. Drug dealers often mix it with other substances to increase profit, and sometimes, these additives are more harmful than the drug itself. Substances like baby powder, household cleaners, and fentanyl—a deadly synthetic opioid—can be mixed with cocaine, increasing the risks of toxicity or lethal overdose. This makes cocaine a dangerous drug that can trigger physical, mental, and social consequences.

Can Cocaine Cause Long-Term Damage to Your Eyesight or Vision Health?

Cocaine use can lead to both immediate and long-term problems with eye health. One of the most noticeable effects of cocaine use is pupil dilation—coke eyes— but over time, the drug can bring about much more serious eye damage than just dilated pupils on cocaine. Here are some of the most common ways cocaine use can harm vision health: 

• Blood vessel damage: Cocaine constricts blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the eyes [3]. This lack of proper blood flow can provoke serious eye conditions like ischemic optic neuropathy [4], resulting in partial or total vision loss if untreated.
• Keratitis: When someone smokes cocaine, fumes can dry out the surface of the eye, leading to keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea. Without sufficient moisture and blinking—often reduced by cocaine’s numbing effects—the eyes are exposed to more foreign particles, raising the risk of infections, scarring, and blurred vision.
• Glaucoma: Chronic cocaine use can lead to increased pressure inside the eye, which raises the risk of glaucoma. This condition, one of the leading causes of blindness, is prevalent among those with high blood pressure, a condition often inflamed by cocaine use.
• Eye yellowing and jaundice: Cocaine can also impact the liver, prompting jaundice, which causes the whites of the eyes to turn yellow. This yellowing may be a sign of liver damage which, if left untreated, can cause more severe health complications.

Beyond this, cocaine use may also lead to indirect eye damage through other adverse outcomes like heart disease or stroke, which can affect blood flow to the eyes and impair vision. 

What is a Characteristic of Someone Who Has Been Using Cocaine?

People who use cocaine often display specific physical and behavioral signs. Not everyone will show all symptoms, but here are some common characteristics associated with cocaine use:

• Dilated pupils: One of the most noticeable signs of cocaine use is dilated pupils. Cocaine causes pupils to enlarge, making them acutely sensitive to light. Glassy or bloodshot eyes often accompany this dilation, and the “cocaine eye” effect can last for hours after the drug is used.
• Restlessness and high energy: Cocaine acts as a stimulant of the CNS, so people who use it often seem talkative, restless, or overly energetic. They may appear to have boundless energy or talk excessively, move quickly, and be unable to stay still.
• Mood swings: Cocaine can cause sudden changes in mood. A person may go from feeling happy and excited to anxious or irritable. Paranoia or suspiciousness is also common, especially with repeated use.
• Appetite loss and weight loss: Cocaine suppresses appetite, and people who use it frequently may eat much less and lose weight rapidly [5]. They may also seem dehydrated or appear to have poor physical health.
• Runny nose or nosebleeds: People who snort cocaine may experience frequent runny noses or nosebleeds due to irritation in the nasal passages. Over time, this can cause damage to the nasal tissue, leading to chronic nosebleeds and other nasal issues.

These physical and behavioral signs often make it possible to spot cocaine use, but you should approach anyone showing these symptoms with empathy. If you suspect cocaine use by someone you care about, understanding and support can help them feel safe seeking the help they need. 

How Does Cocaine Affect the Brain?

Cocaine has a powerful effect on brain chemistry, especially in how it interacts with a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine is known as the brain’s feel-good chemical, responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward. Here’s how the drug’s effect on dopamine can trigger short-term and long-term changes in the brain: 

• Short-term dopamine rush: When someone uses cocaine, the drug blocks dopamine from being reabsorbed by neurons in the brain [6]. This means more dopamine stays in the brain, creating a sense of euphoria, energy, and confidence. This high usually lasts only a short time, which can drive people to use more cocaine to maintain those feelings.
• Developing dependence: The brain gradually becomes used to high levels of dopamine, making it difficult to feel pleasure from normal activities. This can lead to dependence, where a person feels they need cocaine to feel happy or motivated. The brain adapts to this constant rush of dopamine by reducing its natural dopamine production, which can lead to emotional lows and depression when not using the drug.
• Impaired cognitive function: Long-term cocaine use can damage areas of the brain like the pre-frontal cortex, which governs impulse control, attention, and decision-making. This can make it hard for people to make rational decisions, resist cravings for cocaine, or focus on tasks.
• Learning and memory problems: Chronic use of cocaine has been linked to memory loss and trouble learning new information. This happens because cocaine can damage neurons and disrupt the connections between them, affecting how the brain processes and retains information.
• Increased risk of mental health issues: The way cocaine changes brain chemistry can also increase the risk of mental health conditions like anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis. People who use the drug frequently may experience hallucinations, extreme stress, and a sense of paranoia that can interfere with their ability to function in daily life.

In the long term, cocaine can fundamentally alter how the brain functions, making it difficult for people to break the cycle of addiction. The damage cocaine causes to the brain is one of the main reasons why professional help is central to effective recovery. 

What Are the Dangers of Using Cocaine?

Cocaine is not only addictive but also carries serious health risks, even with occasional use. Immediate dangers of cocaine use include increased heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and seizures. Cocaine also increases the risk of respiratory failure, as it can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate oxygen and blood flow.

Additionally, cocaine can trigger intense psychological effects like anxiety, paranoia, and aggressive behavior, which may lead to risky actions and dangerous situations. The mix of physical and mental health risks means that even one-time cocaine use can result in severe consequences.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Abuse?

Long-term cocaine use can damage nearly every system in the body. Physically, cocaine abuse is linked to chronic issues like heart disease, respiratory complications, and severe nasal damage for those who snort the drug. Long-term use of cocaine may also provoke the development of neurological damage, including memory loss, decision-making, and lasting changes in mental cognition. 

Psychologically, prolonged cocaine use often leads to conditions like anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Socially, cocaine addiction can unravel relationships, strain finances, and affect careers, making recovery a complex process that involves rebuilding many areas of life. 

What Are My Options for Treatment?

Recovering from cocaine addiction requires professional support. Treatment options include: 

• Medical detox: A medically supervised detox program helps manage withdrawal symptoms and ensures the process is as safe and as comfortable as possible.
• Inpatient or outpatient programs: Inpatient rehab offers structured care with 24/7 support, which can be helpful for people with severe addictions and co-occurring mental health disorders. Outpatient programs allow individuals to live at home while getting professional guidance and therapy, offering a flexible and affordable pathway to recovery from cocaine addiction.
• Counseling and therapy: Behavioral therapies like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) help individuals understand the root causes of their addictions and develop coping skills to stay sober. Support groups and peer counseling can also offer emotional support and motivation.

By choosing the right treatment plan, it is possible to make a sustained recovery from cocaine addiction, rebuilding your health, relationships, and sense of purpose.

How to Get Compassionate, Evidence-Based Treatment for Stimulant Addiction

If you or someone you care about has been misusing stimulants like cocaine, reach out to California Detox. We treat all addictions, including cocaine addiction, at our luxury rehab in Laguna Beach, CA. 

While there are no medications approved to treat cocaine withdrawal, our medical detox program helps you withdraw from coke under controlled conditions with access to 24/7 clinical and emotional care. After a week of detox, you will transition to ongoing inpatient treatment at our beachside facility.

The unique aspect of all cocaine addictions means all California Detox treatment plans are personalized. Therapies may include:

• Counseling
• Talk therapies
• Group therapy
• Motivational therapies
• Family therapy
• Holistic therapies
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Aftercare 

Begin your recovery right away by calling 888-995-4208.

Sources

[1] https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cocaine 

[2] https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Cocaine-2020_1.pdf 

[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5757372/

[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6886135/ 

[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3863945/ 

[6] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2851032/