Cases of cocaine overdose are more common when the ambient temperature is above 24 degrees Celsius, according to the researchers published in Addiction.
By compiling information on fatal drug overdoses with data on average temperatures in New York City between 1990 and 2006, scientists observed that the number of deaths among cocaine users increased as the temperature rose.
This is because cocaine causes body temperature to rise rapidly and makes it difficult for the circulatory system to regulate it, the researchers explain. At the same time, the drug reduces the discomfort normally felt at high temperatures, making the cocaine user more prone to hyperthermia (body overheating), which can lead to death.
These results have been validated by previous studies which showed that the risk of a fatal overdose increases when the temperature reaches 31 degrees Celsius. The current analysis shows that the period of particularly high risk for cocaine users is much longer.
In New York City, the researchers said, for every 2 degrees Celsius increase in weekly average temperature, two more deaths from cocaine overdoses were added. Such a relationship was not observed when the average temperature was lower than 24 degrees Celsius.
The authors of the research emphasize the need to warn addicts, especially in the summer. In their opinion, preventive actions should also include providing air conditioning in places where the most cases of overdose are recorded (PAP).