Cocaine use in Finland has reached a new level of concern after Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) confirmed that it has treated its first cases of drug-induced strokes and brain haemorrhages linked to recreational use. According to hospital staff, all patients were under the age of 30 and had no underlying medical conditions. These incidents point to a clear shift in how cocaine is affecting public health in the country.
Neurologist Marjaana Tiainen says this is the first time HUS has seen brain-related complications caused by cocaine. “In countries where cocaine use has been widespread for years, this type of damage is well known. But this is new for Finland,” she told STT. Until now, similar cases in Finland were mostly related to amphetamines, not cocaine.
The neurological damage caused by cocaine can be life-altering. Some patients now live with reduced mobility, speech impairments, or cognitive decline. While no deaths have been reported at HUS, the damage in many cases is permanent. Tiainen explained that the strokes occur because cocaine sharply raises blood pressure while narrowing blood vessels. When a vessel bursts, blood leaks into the brain and causes serious injury.
“Rehabilitation plays a role in recovery, but it cannot reverse the damage. In many cases, patients will not fully recover,” she said. These cases serve as a warning that even casual drug use can lead to major medical emergencies.
Cardiologists at HUS have also seen an increase in cocaine-induced heart attacks. Mikko Parry, a specialist at the Heart and Lung Centre, explained that cocaine causes the arteries to constrict, which limits blood flow to the heart. In some cases, this results in spasms or total blockage, both of which can cause a heart attack.
Parry added that when cocaine is taken with alcohol, the body produces a toxic compound called cocaethylene. This chemical puts even more pressure on the heart and increases the risk of cardiac arrest. Long-term use may also lead to heart failure, especially in people who use the drug on weekends or mix it with heavy drinking.
Doctors and addiction specialists say that cocaine use in Finland has spread into social groups that were previously less affected. Ulriika Sundell, medical director at A-Clinic, said that more users are now students, professionals, and people with steady jobs. “These are not the people we used to see in treatment programs. Cocaine is now seen as a weekend drug by many people who do not consider themselves addicts,” she said.
Despite the health risks, many users avoid medical help. They fear judgment or legal consequences. Some are afraid of being reported to the police. Others believe casual use is harmless. But doctors stress that emergency care is confidential in most cases.
Parry confirmed that HUS does not share drug use details with law enforcement unless it is required by law. “Our responsibility is to treat people. We are not here to punish them,” he said.
There are limited cases where hospitals are legally required to report drug use. These include child protection concerns, public safety risks, or if the patient works in a regulated field like professional driving or healthcare. Sundell explained that staff try to make the process transparent for patients. “If someone comes to us voluntarily, we work with them to manage the reporting process in a way that reduces stress,” she said.
This approach helps patients feel safe enough to get the help they need while also respecting the law.
While Finland still has lower cocaine use than many parts of Europe, the rise in medical emergencies linked to the drug is a warning sign. The fact that young people with no prior health issues are suffering strokes and heart attacks shows how dangerous the drug really is.
Experts are calling for better awareness and prevention efforts before more lives are affected. What Finnish hospitals are now seeing is part of a broader international trend. Cocaine is no longer just a party drug. It is becoming a serious threat to public health.
