There are tons of different types of drug paraphernalia, with each one making substance abuse a bit easier. You are probably familiar with bowls, bongs, and pipes, but you might not be familiar with snuff bullets. Also known as cocaine bullets, these bullet-shaped containers are designed to hold cocaine and allow you to snort it out of the apparatus.
If you believe your loved one owns a snuff bullet, they could be struggling with cocaine abuse. When someone is snorting cocaine, they might display increased energy, erratic behavior, dilated pupils, excessive sweating, and bouts of insomnia.[1] It is also common to experience increased sociability, feelings of invincibility and rushes of euphoria.
Once your loved one has been snorting cocaine for some time, they will develop an addiction. Signs of cocaine addiction include being unable to control how much you use, intense cravings for cocaine, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using it. Unfortunately, cocaine abuse comes with a long list of health risks like cardiovascular damage, mental health issues, and an increased risk of life-threatening overdoses.[2]
In this article, you will learn:
- What is a cocaine bullet?
- What happens when you snort cocaine?
- What are the signs of cocaine addiction?
- What are the long-term risks of cocaine abuse?
What is a Snuff Bullet?
Cocaine bullets are also referred to as snuff bullets. They are bullet-shaped containers that are made out of carbon fiber, glass, metal, or plastic. Snuff bullets come in many shapes, sizes, and colors.
Most cocaine bullets unscrew from the bottom and have a container that holds powdered drugs like cocaine. There is usually a rotating dial that allows the user to collect some of the powder to snort it.
Cocaine bullets are marketed to be used for snuff tobacco, a form of tobacco that you snort. They are often sold in smoke shops, convenience stores, or gas stations. Because they use snuff tobacco for advertising, they are legal to sell.
The purpose of cocaine bullets is to make the use of cocaine more discreet. There are even snuff bullet necklaces that let you hide the paraphernalia under your shirt. Unfortunately, any type of cocaine abuse is dangerous, as even small amounts lead to a serious risk of developing an addiction.
What Happens When You Snort Cocaine?
Snuff bullets administer cocaine through your nose. If you are worried that a loved one is using a snuff bullet to abuse cocaine, knowing the effects of snorting it can help you determine whether they need addiction treatment programming.
The effects of snorting cocaine are almost instantaneous and include:[1]
- High body temperature and sweating
- Dilated pupils
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- A rush of euphoria and pleasure
- Increased chattiness and talking fast
- Aggression or irritability
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and chest pains
- Shaking or tremors
- Lessened need for food and sleep
- Runny nose and frequent nose bleeds
The effects of cocaine tend to only last 30 minutes to an hour. As a result, many cocaine users binge on the drug. Taking large amounts of cocaine in a short period can increase your risk of experiencing an overdose.
What are the Signs of Cocaine Addiction?
If your loved one frequently abuses cocaine, you might be wondering how to tell if they are addicted. Looking for the signs of addiction can help you decide whether it’s time to talk to your loved one about attending a drug rehab program.
The main signs of cocaine addiction include:[3]
- Having a hard time controlling how much cocaine you use
- Experiencing urges and cravings to use cocaine
- Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Failing to meet responsibilities at home, school, or work
- Getting into risky situations when you use cocaine
- Experiencing financial or legal trouble due to cocaine use
- Continuing to use cocaine despite facing physical and mental health issues as a direct result
- Needing to increase the dose of cocaine to experience the desired effect
- Dealing with withdrawal symptoms when you stop using cocaine
If your loved one is addicted to cocaine, they are not alone. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), 27,788,000 people aged 12 or older have used cocaine at some point in their lifetime.[4] Thankfully, addiction treatment centers can help your loved one achieve long-term sobriety from cocaine and any other substance they are struggling with.
What are the Long-Term Risks of Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine addiction can lead to a variety of health risks and psychological issues. If your loved one is refusing treatment, reading about the long-term effects of cocaine abuse could motivate them to accept the help they need.
The long-term dangers of cocaine abuse include:[2]
- Cardiovascular risks like blood clots, heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, tachycardia, arrhythmia, and more
- Recurring seizures
- Changes in personality and behavior
- Increased risk of developing a variety of mental illnesses
- Gastrointestinal issues like ulcers or colitis
- Liver damage or failure
- Kidney damage
- Reduced immune system functioning
- Premature aging
- Increased dental issues
- Damage to the nose, including septal perforation
Get Connected to a Cocaine Rehab Center
If you or a loved one suffers from cocaine addiction, it’s time to consider your treatment options. At the Mandala Healing Center, we offer individualized and evidence-based treatment. In other words, we will provide you with all of the tools and support you need to achieve long-term sobriety.
Contact us today for more information on our cocaine addiction treatment program.
References:
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Cocaine
- Science Direct: Effects of chronic cocaine use on physical health: a prospective study in a general population sample
- BMJ Best Practice: Cocaine use disorder
- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Powdered Cocaine Fast Facts