Cocaine

From LoveToKnow Recovery

Cocaine is an illegal drug made from leaves of the coca plant. It's highly addictive and dangerous to the user's health.

Cocaine

History of Cocaine

According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, cocaine first appeared in the 1800s in South America. It was used to reduce fatigue. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, doctors used it as a local anesthetic. Around the same time, it was also being used in elixirs and tonics intended to treat illness.

Today, the drug comes from various places in South America, with Colombia as the primary producer. There is a well-established distribution mechanism, using certain U.S. cities as hubs. Criminal gangs control much of the trade.

How to Recognize Cocaine

There are dozens of street names for this drug. You can find some of them here. The term "cocaine" usually refers to the powder form, which is inhaled or "snorted" through the nose. It can also be dissolved in water and injected. Crack, a crystallized form that can be smoked, became popular in the U.S. in the 1980's. Crack is inexpensive to make and provides an immediate high.

Cocaine is a fine white powder. It may be sold in small plastic bags, folded paper, aluminum foil, balloons, or whatever else the dealer chooses. In 2001, it sold for $20 to $200 a gram, depending on quality, region, and what people were willing to pay. A user may have a chronic runny nose caused by inhaling the drug, or needle marks on their arms from injecting it.

Crack is often sold in small vials. It's also sold in small, clear plastic bags, plastic wrap knotted at both ends, folded paper, and many other types of packaging. It looks like chunky crystals. It's usually white, off-white, or pinkish. In 2001, it was selling for $3 to $50 per rock, with $10 to $20 the most common rate.

Once people become addicted to this drug, they may lose interest in prior activities, including work, school, and friends. They may also appear irritable, anxious, or depressed. They may begin to borrow money or not be able to pay their bills.

Why People Use It

Cocaine provides an intense high. It makes users feel energetic, euphoric, and mentally alert. It makes the user feel as though they do not need food or sleep. The high from the powder form last about 15 to 30 minutes, with a relatively slow onset. Crack works more quickly and the high is stronger, but it lasts only five to 10 minutes.

Once people start using this drug, they are at risk of becoming addicted. The good feelings it induces make users want to repeat the experience. The high is followed by feelings of depression and a sort of edginess that makes people want the drug. Users quickly develop a tolerance, meaning that they need more and more of the drug to get the same high.

Medical Effects

This drug is hard on the heart. It increases blood pressure, making the heart work harder. It speeds up the heart rate and can cause disturbances in heart rhythm. Some of these disturbances can lead to death. It can also cause heart attacks in young, otherwise healthy people.

It can affect the brain, causing headaches, seizures, and even strokes. When a user is high, his/her ability to make good judgments may be impaired, leading to bad decisions such as unsafe sex.

When cocaine is inhaled, it can lead to chronic nosebleeds, loss of the sense of smell, and damage to the inside of the nose. When it is swallowed, it can cause stomach upset, nausea, and even death of the intestinal tissue. Smoking this drug causes lung irritation, which can result in cough, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, bleeding in the lungs.

It doesn't take long-term use for cocaine to be dangerous or deadly. Although it's not common, people have died after using this drug just once.

Legal Consequences

Cocaine is illegal everywhere in the United States and in many other countries. Here in the U.S., prison terms for cocaine possession have tended to be longer than for any other illegal drug. Jail time is a very real possibility for someone, of any age, who is caught with this drug. A narcotics conviction can be an obstacle to finding employment and can actually prevent a person from getting certain government jobs.

Treatment

Help is available for people who are addicted to cocaine. Treatment varies according to each individual's need. It may be in-patient or out-patient. Cognitive-behavioral therapy may help. Antidepressants may be prescribed to treat the depression and mood changes that can accompany withdrawal. They may also be used to treat underlying psychological problems. If you think you have a problem with cocaine, your doctor can help you find treatment.

Some abusers will find groups like Narcotics Anonymous helpful. NA is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.


 


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