National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam

Which symptom is NOT typically associated with Cocaine overdose?

1. Dilated pupils

2. Paralysis

3. Weight gain

4. Convulsions

The correct answer is: Weight gain

Cocaine overdose is characterized by a range of symptoms that arise due to the drug's potent stimulant effects on the central nervous system. Among the symptoms commonly associated with cocaine overdose are dilated pupils, which result from its action on the autonomic nervous system, and convulsions, which can occur due to increased neuronal excitability. Paralysis can also be a symptom, typically resulting from severe cardiovascular or neurological complications. Weight gain is distinctly NOT associated with cocaine overdose. In fact, cocaine is known to suppress appetite, and users often experience weight loss rather than weight gain. This is due to the drug's stimulant properties that reduce the desire to eat. Therefore, when considering the classic symptoms of a cocaine overdose, weight gain stands out as the abnormal response that does not align with the expected physiological reactions.