Cocaine addiction is very common among its users due the psychological addictive nature of the the stimulant. Cocaine does lack many of the physical withdrawal symptoms that other addictive drugs tend to have. However, the mental dependency of the illicit substance cocaine can be very powerful.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cocaine_abuse/article_em.htm Addiction is said to be common with this particular drug due to its short lived, yet strong effect, causing users to repeat use several times to maintain their high.http://www.myaddiction.com/cocaine.html Cocaine has been classified as a schedule 2 drug according to the DEA.
Cocaine performs its abilities by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that controls the feeling of pleasure and movement of a person. When someone snorts, injects or smokes cocaine, it disrupts the natural process of this function of the brain and causes a euphoric feeling. After repeated and/or long term use, addiction becomes more likely as the natural process of dopamine is damaged.http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
Health Risk of Cocaine Addiction:
Side Effects of Cocaine Use:
- Constriction of blood vessels
- Dilated pupils
- Increase of body temperature
- Increase of the heart rate
- Increase of blood pressure
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Abdominal Pain
Bing Use Side Effects
- Decrease in appetite which can cause malnourishment
- Loss of the sense of smell
- Nosebleeds
- Throat problems
- Chronic runny nose
- Bowel gangrene
- Reduction of blood flow
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Severe allergic reactions
- Increase in contracting HIV and Hepatitis C
- Hallucinations
Serious Complications
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Cardiac arrest
- Seizures
- Respiratory arrest
- Death
- Using cocaine along with alcohol produces a deadly toxin in the body called cocaethylene that increases the risk of sudden death. http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/page2.htm
Cocaine Addiction Treatments:
Treatment options for cocaine users include a variety of things. Most often there must be an intervention. Using cognitive-behavioral therapy has been used as an effective method for decreasing use and relapse of cocaine addicts. Positive reinforcement is favored including a mixture of support and treatment. People who are suffering addictions and trying to recover or prevent a relapse are encouraged to avoid as much stress as possible.http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/page3.htm
Help for cocaine addiction can start at Cocaine Anonymous with their 12 step program.http://www.ca.org/ Other places to look include, rehab facilities, treatment centers and other support groups.http://www.800cocaine.com/treatment_centers.html
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor for more information on Cocaine Addiction.
Cocaine Addiction Changes People
Cocaine addiction changes people into someone they were not before. They will resort to stealing and lying if it means this to feed their need. Drug use will change someone from being a law abiding citizen, into a criminal. Cocaine addiction is not basis of its users. It can range from the rich to the poor and can happen to any background or race. Many cocaine abusers are poly drug users, using more than just cocaine to get high.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Cocaine Addiction Prevention and Education
- Drug Free World: ARM YOURSELF WITH THE TRUTH ABOUT DRUGS
Cocaine Addiction Stories, Discussion and Blogs
Addiction Cocaine: Addiction Cocaine Blog
Partnership for a Drug-Free America: Drug Stories
CocaineHelp.org: Help for Cocaine Addicted People
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References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
Cocaine is a narcotic
-
Fact:
Cocaine can be injected, snorted, or eaten
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Fact:
Cocaine is a product of a shrub called Erythroxylon coca
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Fact:
Cocaine works by blocking the reabsorption of dopamine in the brain
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Fact:
Cocaine effects the central nervous system
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Signs of addiction
jumpiness, nervousness, dilated pupils, runny or bleeding nose, periods of high energy followed by exhausted sleep
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Long term effects
tolerance causing need for increased dosage, irritability, restlessness, paranoia
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Fact:
Linked to many types of heart disease
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Some medical consequences
heart attack, chest pain, headaches, respiratory failure, abdominal pain, nausea
