London, UK — A British man has issued a grave warning about the dangers of cocaine use after surviving a five-day drug binge that left him on the brink of death and suffering severe psychological and physical effects.
Danny McClelland, 34, shared his experience publicly during an appearance on This Morning, recounting how prolonged cocaine use caused him to spiral into a state of extreme paranoia, hallucinations, and mental breakdown. According to McClelland, the binge — which involved continuous use of the drug with little to no food, water, or sleep — left him physically and mentally shattered.
“I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognise myself,” he said. “My eyes were blood red — I looked like a demon. I truly believed I was dying.”
McClelland explained that his drug use began socially, but quickly developed into a full-blown addiction. At the height of his dependency, he admitted to spending up to £1,000 a week on cocaine. During the five-day episode, he reportedly locked himself in his flat, stopped eating, and became convinced he was being watched and targeted.
He was later found in a distressed state and taken to hospital, where doctors warned he was at risk of heart failure, stroke, or death had he continued using the drug any longer.
“I thought I was being hunted. I was talking to myself in the mirror, completely delusional,” he said. “I didn’t sleep for five days — it was torture.”
Following the incident, McClelland entered rehabilitation and has remained sober since. He is now using his experience to raise awareness about the real and often hidden dangers of cocaine abuse.
“Cocaine is glamorised in society, especially among young people. But it destroys lives. It nearly destroyed mine,” he added.
Medical Experts Warn of Rising Cocaine Risks : Medical professionals have echoed McClelland’s concerns, warning that cocaine — a powerful stimulant — is increasingly being misused in the UK, with serious consequences. Prolonged use can lead to heart problems, stroke, respiratory failure, and severe mental health issues, including psychosis and suicidal thoughts.
Dr. Nighat Arif, a general practitioner and media health expert, said cocaine can severely impact brain chemistry, particularly when used without sleep, food, or hydration.
“People don’t realise how dangerous it is. A five-day binge like Danny’s pushes the body to the absolute limit,” Dr. Arif said.