A Man Shares a Warning After a Five-Day Cocaine Spree Caused “Devil Eyes” and Nearly Led to His Death

What are the most common health dangers associated with cocaine addiction?

Imagine waking up in a hospital bed, unable to see, with eyes so red they scare people away. This was the reality for one man after a dangerous cocaine binge.

His story is a warning to others about how quickly drug use can spiral out of control. Cocaine, often seen as a party drug, can lead to devastating health problems and life-changing consequences.

Let’s explore what happened to Dave Mullen and why his experience is a lesson for everyone.

From Party to Peril: Cocaine Addiction Dangers

Dave Mullen, a young man from Salisbury, Wiltshire, started using cocaine at 17. It began innocently enough, with a single line offered at a pub on his birthday.

He enjoyed the high, using it during football outings and vacations with friends. But by 19, what started as fun turned into a serious addiction.

Dave was consuming thousands of pounds’ worth of cocaine during week-long binges, often paired with heavy drinking.

His life began to unravel as he lost friends, struggled to hold a job, and faced severe mental health challenges.

The turning point came in August 2021, when a five-day cocaine binge led to a drug-induced psychosis, landing him in a coma with bloodshot eyes so severe they were dubbed “devil eyes.”

The Physical and Mental Toll

Cocaine doesn’t just affect the mind; it wreaks havoc on the body, especially the eyes. Dave’s “devil eyes” were a result of constricted blood vessels and extreme irritation, leaving him temporarily blind for weeks.

His eyes remained bloodshot for months, so severe that an elderly man at a care home where Dave worked chased him with a Bible, mistaking him for something sinister.

Cocaine can cause dilated pupils, light sensitivity, and even long-term damage like glaucoma or vision loss. Beyond the eyes, Dave suffered mental health episodes, including paranoia and psychosis, which are common among heavy users.

Despite nearly dying, he fell back into addiction until a hospital visit in March 2024, when doctors warned he might not survive another binge.

The Story in His Own Words

Dave talked about cocaine addiction dangers on social media, saying:

‘Cocaine goes hand-in-hand with alcohol, and at a weak or naive moment, as I was young [17], someone offered me a line and I took it.

‘I would get some [cocaine] for the weekend football, and before long, this was turning into an addiction, and it wasn’t for enjoyment anymore.

‘I was going on a lads’ holiday to Ayia Napa at 17 and it was like the Inbetweeners ‘lads on tour’ and it was just relentlessly pushed down your throat as soon as you hit an age.

‘At 19, I noticed it had become an addiction. It was clear not only to me but my friends and people around that I had a bit of a problem with it.

‘Every year it got worse and worse, and would affect so many people around me due to the mental health episodes I would have.

‘I would go through periods to escape my mental health, and I would just go out for five, six, seven days, and I would just be gone.

 ‘In my case, those photos I’ve shared, where I ended up in intensive care, was not my turning point.

‘This was a result of a four or five-day bender, and I ended up going into a drug-induced psychosis, and I completely lost my mind.

‘I was completely blind and had no vision. Six weeks later, my eyes were still bloodshot, and my eyes were like this for two months.’

He continued: ‘I want to spread awareness, as it really did ruin my life.

‘[In March 2024], they told me I was going to die again and something about walking out of that hospital alone, I said I didn’t want to do this anymore.

‘I was trapped in a life that was a prison with no enjoyment.

‘I would have walked out of the hospital and gone straight to the pub, but I thought to myself, ‘I’m not going to have a drink today’.

’15 months later and I’m here and I have a TikTok account and I still haven’t looked back. I feel completely reborn, and I’m now excited for my future.

‘I don’t think we’re educated enough about the dangers of these drugs or alcohol.

‘We’re told the drugs are illegal, but in this day and age, no one really pays attention to the law and doesn’t care if it’s illegal.

‘I think my story and the pictures in particular show that it’s dangerous and I don’t want cocaine to be so normalised and acceptable in society.’

A New Beginning and a Message of Hope

After years of struggle, Dave has been sober for 15 months. He’s traded cocaine for the gym and now shares his story on TikTok to warn others.

His journey shows that recovery is possible, but it takes determination and support. Dave hopes to start a support group called “Dark Days 2 Brighter Ways” to help others escape addiction.

If you or someone you know is struggling, resources like FRANK in the UK (0300 123 6600) or American Addiction Centers in the US (888) 830-7624 offer confidential help.

Dave’s message is clear: don’t let cocaine steal your future.

You might also want to read: Biohacker’s ‘Face Blows Up’ Moment in Bold Anti-Aging Experiment