10 signs someone is sniffing coke

10 signs someone is sniffing coke (cocaine) refer to a list of common behavioral, physical, and psychological indicators suggesting an individual is using cocaine through nasal inhalation. The 10 signs someone is sniffing coke (cocaine) are listed below.

• Frequent nosebleeds, runny nose, and sniffling
• White powder residue on face and surfaces
• Dilated pupils
• Increased talkativeness and energy
• Interchangeable periods of euphoria and irritability
• Agitation and restlessness
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
• Insomnia or prolonged periods without sleep
• Suspiciousness or paranoia
• Financial difficulties

1. Frequent nosebleeds, runny nose, and sniffling

Frequent nosebleeds, a runny nose, and persistent sniffling often point to damage inside the nasal cavity caused by snorting cocaine. The powdered substance irritates the delicate lining of the nose, breaking down tissue with repeated exposure.

Blood vessels in the area become inflamed and fragile, making nosebleeds more common even without physical trauma. Constant sniffling develops as the body tries to clear out residual powder or respond to the irritation. A runny nose without signs of illness or allergies signal ongoing substance use.

Over time, the condition known as “cocaine nose” emerges, marked by chronic inflammation and impaired nasal function. In severe cases, tissue loss and septum perforation develop, creating permanent nasal damage.

1. White powder residue on face and surfaces

White powder residue on the face, especially around the nostrils, signals recent cocaine use through snorting. After inhalation, fine particles remain on the skin or fail to fully enter the nasal passage. Users in a rush or under the influence neglect to clean off visible traces.

Surfaces like mirrors, phone screens, or bathroom counters show similar white dust or powder streaks. Such remnants usually come from preparing lines or dividing doses. Finding powder on personal items such as wallets or credit cards further point to cocaine use.

1. Dilated pupils

Dilated pupils occur after consuming cocaine because the drug overstimulates the central nervous system. The drug stops brain chemicals such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin from being reabsorbed, allowing effects to last longer.

One natural reaction to increased stimulation includes enlarged pupils. Wide or dilated pupils typically appear as a clear sign of cocaine use, according to a publication titled “Neuroanatomy, Pupillary Dilation Pathway” by Lykstad et al., last updated in August 2023.

In well-lit settings, the eyes still appear unusually large, making the reaction more noticeable. The term “cocaine eyes” describes the effect—enlarged pupils paired with a glassy, intense stare. Users struggle to adjust to bright lights due to the excessive dilation.

The change in pupil size isn’t subtle and creates a striking, almost unnatural appearance. Eye contact seems exaggerated or unsettling, further hinting at substance use. When combined with jittery behavior or hyperactivity, cocaine eyes become a strong visual clue of recent drug intake.

1. Increased talkativeness and energy

Using cocaine leads to a sudden spike in verbal activity, with users speaking rapidly or jumping from one topic to another. Conversations become loud, intense, or overly enthusiastic, even in situations where such behavior seems out of place.

When someone uses cocaine, the drug keeps dopamine active in the brain for longer, causing certain brain cells like postsynaptic neurons to stay “on” for an extended time. The result is a pleasurable feeling bringing increased energy, heightened alertness, and excitement, as explained in Chapter 2, “How Stimulants Affect the Brain and Behavior,” from “Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders: Updated 2021” published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The drug overstimulates brain functions, making the person feel unusually alert and socially confident. Bursts of energy follow soon after use, pushing individuals to move constantly, pace around, or fidget.

Tasks are started impulsively but left unfinished due to scattered focus. Sleep becomes difficult or completely avoided, even after hours of physical activity. Reactions appear exaggerated, with users laughing too hard or becoming overly animated.

1. Interchangeable periods of euphoria and irritability

The use of cocaine often triggers extreme emotional highs followed by sudden mood crashes. Moments of euphoria appear as intense happiness, confidence, or a feeling of invincibility. During the phase, users laugh excessively, act impulsively, or show grand ideas.

Once the effects begin to fade, the high quickly turns into frustration or restlessness. Irritability surfaces without warning, sometimes leading to angry outbursts or agitation over minor issues. People familiar with crack or powdered cocaine recognize mood swings as a common aftermath of stimulant use.

Emotional states shift rapidly, confusing people around the user and disrupting relationships. Unpredictable changes reflect the brain’s struggle to balance artificial surges and crashes in chemicals affected by cocaine.

1. Agitation and restlessness

Agitation emerges shortly after cocaine enters the system, with individuals becoming impatient or easily annoyed. Conversations turn tense or confrontational without clear reasons. Restlessness shows up through constant movement, such as tapping fingers, shifting in place, or pacing.

Snorting the substance causes the nervous system to become overstimulated, putting the body in a hypervigilant state. Emotional control weakens, making it harder to stay calm in normal situations. Physical discomfort, like muscle tension or clenched jaws, add to the uneasy behavior.

1. Reduced appetite and weight loss

Cocaine use through the nose suppresses natural hunger signals, leading to skipped meals or disinterest in food. People tend to go hours or even days without eating, feeling energized without realizing the body needs nourishment.

Weight loss becomes noticeable over time, especially when combined with high physical activity and little rest. The stimulant effect interferes with digestion and appetite regulation, disrupting normal eating patterns. Meals once enjoyed no longer appeal to the user.

Clothing begins to fit loosely, or friends comment on a thinner appearance. Muscle mass decreases due to poor nutrition and increased movement.

1. Insomnia or prolonged periods without sleep

Snorting cocaine leads to intense brain stimulation interfering with the body’s natural sleep cycle. Even after hours of activity, users remain wide awake and restless. The drug overpowers exhaustion and prevents the body’s natural wind-down process by flooding the system with chemicals.

Instead of winding down at night, users pace, talk nonstop, or fixate on tasks. After the stimulant fades, the body feels drained, yet falling asleep remains difficult due to lingering anxiety or restlessness. Puffy eyes, dark circles, and extreme fatigue follow sleepless nights.

Sleep, if achieved, tends to be brief, shallow, and non-refreshing. Users frequently report difficulty falling asleep even when physically fatigued. Ongoing patterns of disrupted rest point to regular stimulant use affecting circadian function.

1. Suspiciousness or paranoia

Suspiciousness and paranoia are recognized psychological effects associated with intranasal cocaine use. The stimulant increases dopamine activity in brain regions linked to fear and threat perception. As a result, individuals develop irrational beliefs of others intending to harm, monitor, or deceive them.

According to a 2023 paper by Fiorentini et al., titled “Substance-Induced Psychoses: An Updated Literature Review,” cross-sectional studies have demonstrated cocaine users have a high prevalence of psychotic symptoms (60.0—86.5%) throughout their lifespan. Delusions and hallucinations are frequently transient but tend to persist in chronic users.

Minor stimuli, such as background noise or passing conversations, are perceived as targeted or threatening. A heightened state of vigilance leads to social withdrawal or defensive behavior.

1. Financial difficulties

Financial difficulties frequently emerge as a consequence of repeated cocaine sniffing. The drug’s high cost leads users to prioritize purchases of small quantities despite tight budgets.

Funds meant for basic needs—such as food, bills, or transportation—are redirected toward obtaining more product. Savings accounts shrink rapidly, with little awareness of spending patterns. Borrowing money or taking out loans without a clear purpose becomes more common.

Missed payments or mounting debt reflect disorganized financial planning driven by impaired judgment. In certain cases, valuable items are sold or pawned to maintain access to cocaine.