Drugs of Choice

Cocaine

Cocaine is an extremely powerful and highly addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain.  In its powdered, hydrochloride salt form, the drug can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected.  Crack is the street name given to cocaine when it has been processed into a rock crystal, that when heated produces vapors that are smoked.  The name “Crack” comes from the crackling sound the drug makes when heated.  Whether snorted, injected or smoked, Cocaine is dangerous and can lead to addiction, along with the possibility of contracting other diseases including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.

Cocaine is a strong stimulant of the central nervous system which increases levels of dopamine, a brain chemical – or neurotransmitter – associated with pleasure, and movement in the brains reward circuit.  Dopamine is delivered to the brain by a neuron when someone experiences something pleasurable (nice smells, tastes or feelings) and is then recycled back to the cell that released it, thus shutting off the signal between the two neurons.  Cocaine interferes with the dopamine being recycled, causing excessive amounts of the neurotransmitter to build up, amplifying both the message to and response of the receiving neuron thus distorting normal communication.  This excess of dopamine causes the euphoric affect when cocaine is used.  With continued use, this can cause long term changes in the brain’s reward system and other brain function and can lead to a tolerance, which requires greater amounts of cocaine to achieve the same effect; this can ultimately lead to addiction.  The effects of cocaine are fleeting and it is often used over and over in a short period of time.  This is known as binge using.

Cocaine constricts the blood vessels, dilates pupils, increases body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure.  Headaches and gastrointestinal difficulties such as abdominal pain and nausea may also occur.  Cocaine also decreases the appetite which can lead to malnutrition.              

The different methods by which Cocaine is abused can affect the body as well.  Snorting or inhaling Cocaine into the nasal passage can lead to nose bleeds, loss of sense of smell, problems swallowing, hoarseness and a constantly runny nose.  Injecting Cocaine can cause severe allergic reactions and an increase in transmissions of blood-borne diseases, including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis. Cocaine use may also lead users to severe paranoia, a temporary, full-blown state of paranoid psychosis, in which the user loses touch with reality and may experience hallucinations.

Regardless of the frequency or method of use, cocaine users can experience acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular emergencies, such as heart attack or stroke.  Cocaine related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest followed by respiratory arrest.

When cocaine is combine with alcohol it produces a third, dangerous substance, Cocaethylene, which like an unknowing chemistry experiment in the liver, intensifies the effect but also greatens the risk of death associated with cocaine.

Withdrawal symptoms from cocaine include:

·         Tiredness

·         Depression

·         Anxiety

·         Moodiness

·         Poor concentration

·         Low enthusiasm

·         Sleep disturbance

Recovery from cocaine addiction is possible.  The drug is a very “social drug” and one of the best ways to find recovery is to establish a new, supportive social support syatem free from cocaine use.