[ad_1]
Once known as a party drug for cashed-up yuppies, cocaine has quietly shifted into the suburbs – becoming a staple of middle-class, middle-aged social life.
While the drug is abused everywhere from New York City penthouses to cottages in the Cotswolds, the fact remains that Australians are the worst offenders by far.
Australia has the most cocaine users per capita in the world – extraordinary given the drug’s shockingly high street value here – and the sharpest increase isn’t among 20-somethings, but those well into their forties and fifties.
Anecdotally, it’s turning up everywhere – at birthdays, baby showers, even school fundraisers. These days, it seems ‘getting a bag’ is as casual as grabbing a bottle of wine.
As a general practitioner, I’m seeing more patients gripped by cocaine’s fallout – bank accounts emptied, relationships trashed, and mental health in ruins.
And these are the lucky ones. For Australia’s over-40s, the true cost is only beginning to surface.
The risk of heart attack, stroke and sudden death climbs dramatically among older cocaine abusers, and if this epidemic worsens, so too will the death toll.
Cocaine may promise confidence and sociability, but for growing numbers of ordinary Aussies, it’s a ticking time bomb.
General practitioner Dr Brad McKay (pictured) warns middle-aged cocaine abuse is on the rise, presenting a unique range of health problems
Australia has the most cocaine users per capita in the world – and the sharpest increase isn’t among 20-somethings, but those well into their forties and fifties (stock image)
What is cocaine and how does it work?
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant. Sold as a fine white powder, it’s usually snorted, but can also be rubbed on gums or injected.
Once in the system, cocaine rapidly boosts levels of dopamine, the brain’s pleasure chemical. This creates intense feelings of energy, confidence and euphoria.
But the high is short-lived. Cocaine also speeds up heart rate, tightens blood vessels, and spikes blood pressure. The crash that follows can bring exhaustion, anxiety and a strong urge to use again.
Despite its reputation as a ‘glamorous’ party drug enjoyed by high society, cocaine carries serious risks – even after a single use.
Ageing bodies, higher stakes: The 40+ risk factor
Cocaine doesn’t just give users a burst of energy – it puts the heart under serious strain. The drug makes the heart beat faster and harder, while also causing the arteries to spasm and constrict, limiting blood flow.
If you’re over 40, you’re already more likely to have some artery narrowing and less flexible blood vessels. Add cocaine to the mix, and the risk of triggering dangerous arrhythmias – irregular, chaotic heart rhythms – shoots up.
‘For many, what started as a confidence booster now leaves them anxious, isolated, or depressed – and the older you get, the more challenging it is to bounce back mentally,’ writes Dr Brad McKay (stock image posed by models)
A heart under this kind of pressure becomes vulnerable, sometimes leading to palpitations or even sudden death.
Stroke, brain bleeds
Getting older means blood pressure tends to rise, and blood vessels lose their youthful elasticity. Cocaine sends blood pressure even higher, putting extra force on the brain and arteries that may already be more fragile.
This dramatically increases the likelihood of stroke, brain haemorrhage or aortic dissection – an emergency where the main artery from your heart tears internally and can quickly be fatal.
For users in their 40s and 50s, these are not distant threats – they’re looming realities.
The physical toll of cocaine goes well beyond the heart, and for older people, recovery from these issues is much more difficult.
There are aesthetic reasons to be wary too. Cocaine’s clampdown on nose blood vessels can cause tissue to die over years of use, sometimes leading to a perforated septum. Middle-aged bodies heal more slowly and less effectively, meaning the harm caused now can linger for years.
Used occasionally, cocaine carries risks – but for those in their 40s and 50s who have used the drug socially for years, the mental health impact intensifies. Sleep gets lighter, moods swing further, and exhaustion hits harder. Age makes it tougher to recover from late nights and chemical lows.
For many, what started as a confidence booster now leaves them anxious, isolated or depressed – and the older you get, the more challenging it is to bounce back mentally.
Getting help
Lydia O’Donoghue, a mother of four from Ireland, died aged 38 from a blood clot. A pathologist’s report found that ‘cocaine use may have contributed’ to her death
As a GP, I see plenty of middle-aged patients realising just how much cocaine has taken from them – not just money and relationships, but their sense of wellbeing.
By the time you hit your forties or fifties, the body’s ability to handle the drug’s effects, both physically and mentally, is much weaker than in your twenties.
Quitting is possible – and, in fact, may be more urgent for older users. Though cocaine is not as physically addictive as heroin or meth, the social pressure to conform in environments where its use is normalised can be even more compelling, especially as it becomes more accepted in certain circles.
Fortunately, social and psychological support works. Breaking the habit now means dodging long-term health consequences that become more difficult and dangerous with every passing year.
The middle-aged cocaine epidemic in Australia is only getting worse. If we keep going down this path, older users will pay the highest price – whether it’s sudden death from a heart attack or stroke, chronic gut and nose issues, or mental health problems that are harder to recover from.
The message is clear: for anyone over 40, it’s not just about the party anymore – the risks are real, rising, and potentially fatal.
Brad McKay is a medical practitioner, author, TV host, and media commentator. Since his role as the host of Embarrassing Bodies Down Under and the release of his book Fake Medicine: Exposing the wellness crazes, cons, and quacks costing us our health, he’s emerged as one of the leading voices in Australian healthcare
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Therapeutic goods and treatments mentioned, including medications and medical devices, may not be suitable for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any treatment.
This content complies with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) guidelines by avoiding misleading claims, ensuring accuracy, and encouraging consumers to seek appropriate medical advice.
[ad_2]
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .