Cocaine Septum Damage

[Dirk Diggler]

I fell into a 4 month binge with cocaine and I just had an eye opener.  I basically lost control.  Yesterday I felt a little hole on the inside of my nostril against the septum.  It seemed like a layer of skin had deteriorated.  After that heart stopping find, I began to do some research into the connection of cocaine and my find and learned that cocaine can eventually cause serious damage to the septum and nasal cavity.  My question is...Is there a thin layer of skin that covers the cartlidge that is the septum?  I suppose I needed this discovery to open my eyes and I realize what I have done to myself.  Right now I am more scared that what I discovered is permanent and I may need surgery.  It must have appeared recently because I have never noticed it before.  I don't feel that it is a deep hole, but more like a skin had deteriorated and left the cartilidge bare.  This was enough of a scare for me to completely stop my use.  I had not known that this could occur until I did my research. Since I am stopping my use, is there a skin that will grow over the hole or is it bare cartlidge naturally there and I caused damage directly to my septum's cartlidge.  I feel that if a skin will grow back, I will have been lucky and need to use this as an opportunity to straighten my act.  I'm not looking for sympathy or lecture, just some help in understanding what is going to happen.  The thought of all of this is deeply concerning me and I need to know if I can let it heal itself. I know cartlidge does not grow back, but is there a skin that grow back over.  I don't believe that I caused damage to the cartlidge itself.  I keep repeating myself because this is a great concern of mine.  Does anybody know what I am talking about?  Please help.

[justanothercokehead]

I'm 16. I've been involved with the drug for about 9 months now. I wasn't so bad into it in the first 2 months, but then it turned into a weekend thing, then eventually a during the week thing, you know how it goes. I used to do an 8 ball and a half a week. Im not really sure how much that is in grams, I think its 5-6 grams? I've recently gotten myself in to some **** with a dealer of mine... I stole 500-600$ worth of the white stuff and honestly it was quite a wake up call for me...was an awful feeling doing that to a buddy of mine...Now I'm really trying to clean my act up and considering going to see a counsellor and what not. But now reading about the nose damage and what not, I'm wondering what I've done to my poor little nose and whatever else it damages. I've had 2 nose bleeds, one being when we did one 8 ball, and one when I only did a half a gram... which is a big difference?

[theprincess08]

I had used cocaine and abused the drug for nearly seven years.  I found it wonderfully enticing at first...then I realized I could drink more with it's use.  I realized I had to face a seroius problem when I had depleted my money accounts, had just about lost my husband of five years and boyfriend of 13, I was coming close to losing my job, which would lead me flat on my ***.  People with whom I have discussed this issue tell me you have to reach "rock bottom" before you realize you have a problem or will except help.  I suffered from at least 6-10 sinus infections within a years time.  I was always tired, never felt that I could do anything with/o the use of coke.  I finally had to see a specialist ENT for reconstructive surgery-he literally told me my nasal cavity looked like WWII.  I could only breath through my mouth..which meant every morning I awoke with a dry sticky flim covering my tongue.  So, I made the appt. to see the ENT to see what the hell was the matter with my nose.  Needless to say he had me in for a CAT scan then surgery with/i 1, yes, ONE month.  The polyps with/in my nasal cavity had grown so baddly...I had a nose that was ready to COLLAPSE!!!  So, I had to have surgery.  Within 3 days, he removed the packing of gauze from my nose.  I can NOT even begin to express to anyone that has used or abused cocaine that YOU NEED TO STOP!!  I thought it was cool, it made me feel like a queen-the best person there could be...ask me anything and I had an answer for you...Cocaine is weird like that. I loved the high, but hated the downs (which last for at least 3 or 4 days).  I'm sorry I ever tried the ****.  It is not worth the pain and the awful hurt you will go through inside of your self.  Blame will turn to shame...stop using.  I have explored many options...It has been easier for me to just stop...forget about the people that get me worked up inside so very much that I feel I need to used.  Point being, once you have had the surgery to clean up your nasal cavity and remove any polyps that may have arisen, & the simple thought of the $ you have wasted to stick a straw up your nose and suck in some white powder to 'get high' you will soon realize that none of those days, weeks, or years were really worth what you will have to deal with in the future.  Some people may turn to drinking after a hard day's work, some will sleep (especially if you have been using), others work out, read a book.  The hardest part for me was and will always be the end of the work day.  I sometimes convinceiced myself that I deserved to snort "just a little"....There's no excuse.  I have found the easiest way to not use is to either go directly home & realaxe or go to the gym & pound out my frustration.  Believe me this is the hardest time.  But there is hope...coke is only MENTALLY addicting..so convince yourself you don't need it...your nose will collapse and you will be horrible looking forever, you have no $...what ever it takes..I went to a couple of AA meetings...I like the people but it wasn't for me...I do suggest to buy the BLUE BOOK for AA...read it like it's a bible carry it with you. When you feel weak or hurt orthe NEED read the book for yourself!   Nobody needs to know.  I also say a prayer every morning..to God, or who ever there is watching over me, to help me guide me & for those that may tempt me.  I wish anyone facing this problem that GOD be with you..you may turn to sugar...to replace that feeling..of learned helplessness don't... Peace be with you....

[WakeTheFkUp]

i think you were on coke when you wrote this

[drardalan]

Hi all, this is actually my first time doing any sort of research on this subject, though I should have a long time ago but have been too embarrassed. I'm so glad that you are all so helpfull and understanding on the matter...anywho, my story: In college I fell into quite a heavy cocaine bender that lasted about one year....and after I kicked the dirty stuff, I have used it very occasionally up untill now (3 years later). And now I can officially say that I will never do it again because the last couple times I used, I felt tremendous pain in my nose and would look up to see what was the cause, and literally watched what was once just a scratched septum, turn into a non-exsistant one over night.... it wasn't there three months ago or three years ago when I actually had reason to have one. I have just been so lost as to where to go from here because now I have a very large whole between my nostrils despite the fact that I have stopped using cocaine... why did this happen now rather than before?

[girliegirl840]

Hey, you know the same thing happened to me, i was a user of cocaine for 4 months as well, and one day i did way to much, and it scared me. I have only done it once in 2 months, and the last time was about 3 weeks ago, i just noticed the cuts inside my nose as well...could you let me know exaclty what you've decided to do?

[ms_curious]

thank you so much for all your tips.
i will follow them.

take care and good luck

stay strong

[mr_worried]

Ms_curious yes these are the signs of damage to your nose which can and WILL lead to permanent damage.  I have had what you are describing for about a year.  It heals up a bit and as soon as you do more goes right back to being f'd up again.  My advice is put vaseline inside your nose because it will keep it covered for a long time and stop dryness.  This was my doctors advice when I first expressed concern for the scabs and dryness.  Try not to pick at it too much and I'm almost positive it will clear up.  But you have to stop using coke.  Ocean is good once or twice a day I guess to mouisturize the nasal passage but if you just stop doing it time will heal your nose.  You really haven't very much at all so don't worry.  It's fun but when a year or 2 or 3 go by and your still doing it causing permament mental and physical damage the partying won't seem worth it.  Good luck. I'm trying to stay away from it myself :)