Cocaine Overview

Cocaine is a white powdery substance that is made from the coca leaf. Cocaine is usually inhaled, but can be smoked, or injected as well. Cocaine is widely hailed as the worlds most powerful stimulant. The cocaine user feels euphoric, powerful, experiences racing thought, and allows the user to stay up for much longer to continue the party. By some estimates cocaine is the second most widely used drug behind only marijuana.

Cocaine users develop a tolerance to cocaine very quickly, sometimes within hours. More cocaine is needed to maintain or reach a high. Since cocaine is one of the more expensive drugs this can quickly lead an addict into a several hundred dollar a day habit.

Cocaine Side Effects

• Increased pulse and blood pressure
• Hyperactivity, irritability, and anxiety
• Increased core body temperature
• aggressive behavior
• Depression upon stopping use
• Heart attack
• Death

Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug and some users report becoming addicted extremely quickly due to the fact that a tolerance for cocaine develops within hours of using. Cocaine can become so addictive that the user will not be able to stop on their own. Stopping use can lead to severe depression, the inability to stay awake, loss of mental acuity, suicidal ideation, psychosis, paranoia, and fatigue.

Cocaine Treatment

Due to the fact that withdrawal from cocaine use can be extremely severe many users opt for inpatient treatment as opposed to quitting at home. Inpatient treatment is usually a better option because not only can a hospital manage withdrawal symptoms they can also offer group programming that will empower the addict to quite. Therapy and twelve step programs are usually part of a successful cocaine rehabilitation. Anti-anxiety drugs such as lorazepam may also be used to help with anxiety and the worst of the withdrawal symptoms.

Cocaine Links

If you would like more information about cocaine use, prevention, or side effects please visit the following web sites:

http://drugeffects.org/cocaine.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/cocaine/index.html