You may have heard of cocaine. It is a very dangerous and highly addictive drug. It is important to be aware of it, because the damage it can do to your life is much greater than you might think. Today, we will talk in detail and simply about cocaine and its similar drug , crack.
What exactly is cocaine?
Simply put, cocaine is a very powerful stimulant drug. It is made from the leaves of the coca plant, which grows in South America. Sometimes doctors use small amounts of cocaine as an anesthetic, but only in very limited quantities and under medical supervision. However, most people use it to get a strange feeling in the body, to feel happy, and to be able to concentrate in a moment.
The sad thing is, cocaine is a highly addictive substance. This means that people who use it, despite knowing the negative consequences, are tempted to seek it out again and again. Although there are treatments for cocaine use disorder, many people relapse, which means the risk of relapse is high.
What is the difference between cocaine and crack cocaine?
Cocaine can be found in two main forms.
- Cocaine: This looks like a white umbrella. There are different ways people use it:
- Inhaling/Snorting.
- Rubbed into the gums .
- Dissolve it in water or another liquid and inject it into the veins.
- Smoking/Freebasing.
The " high " from cocaine can last from about 20 minutes to about two hours. It is known by various street names such as "Snow", "Nose Candy", "Coke", "Big C", "Flake", and "Blow".
- Crack Cocaine: This is made by further refining and "cooking" cocaine powder. It gets its name because it makes a "cracking" sound when it is made. Crack looks like small brown pebbles. People use crack by heating it in a glass pipe and smoking it, or by mixing it with marijuana or tobacco.
The "high" from crack cocaine lasts a very short time, about 15 minutes.
Just think, even though this "high" is so short, these drugs can stay in your system for about three days.
How common is cocaine use? What are the risks?
In fact, cocaine use is at a significant level in some parts of the world. This is a problem that affects not only the individual, but the entire society. The risks that come with cocaine use are unimaginable. Some of the most important and serious risks are:
- Can be fatal: An overdose of cocaine can be fatal in an instant.
- Serious health problems: People who use this are at a much higher risk of developing serious diseases like heart attack, stroke , and HIV/AIDS.
- Destruction of personal relationships: Cocaine use disorder can disrupt and destroy family life, friendships, and work.
This is not a game. Cocaine is something that can take your life.
What happens to the brain when you use cocaine? Why is it so addictive?
When someone takes cocaine, their blood pressure suddenly rises, their heart starts beating faster. They lose their inhibitions about spending money unnecessarily, doing things one by one, etc. Some people become angry and suspicious of everything (paranoid).
But, the most dangerous thing of all is the way cocaine use changes our brains. This is what paves the way for addiction.
Simply put, our brains are designed to seek pleasure. There is a special circuit in our brain (Reward Circuit/Pathway) for that. This part controls our ability to feel pleasure and satisfaction. When we experience something that makes us happy and satisfied, our brain releases a chemical called `(Dopamine).` Because of `(Dopamine)` we feel good, so we are motivated to do those things again and again.
A normal amount of `(Dopamine)` helps us to be happy, alert, and focused. However, if the amount of `(Dopamine)` increases too much, we can feel great power, unlimited happiness, and energy. When someone uses cocaine, their brain suddenly releases a large amount of `(Dopamine)`. However, this `(Dopamine)` "rush" from cocaine wears off very quickly. Then the feeling is needed again, which means the drug is needed again. When cocaine is used continuously, the brain becomes accustomed to this high stimulation. Then, to feel the same pleasure as before, it needs larger, more frequent doses of cocaine. This is the dangerous cycle of addiction.
What are the short-term and long-term side effects of cocaine use?
Cocaine use can cause both short-term and long-term side effects.
Short-term side effects
Cocaine is a very powerful drug, and serious side effects can occur even when you first start using it.
- Overdose:
This can be a sudden, life-threatening condition. Even if someone uses cocaine for the first time, an overdose is possible. Symptoms may include:
- Seizures
- Seeing or hearing hallucinations (Hallucinations)
- Delirium
- Violent behavior
- Excessive increase in body temperature (Hyperthermia)
- Heartbeat irregularities (Arrhythmia)
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting blood
- Addiction (Addiction / Cocaine Use Disorder):
Cocaine is a highly addictive substance. One study showed that 15% of cocaine users became addicted to it within 10 years. Symptoms of addiction include:
- Loss of appetite and weight loss are evident.
- Frequent runny nose.
- Frequent occurrence of upper respiratory infections.
- Decreased concern for personal hygiene.
- Changes in sleep patterns, especially sleeping less than usual.
- Loss of interest in friends, family, and social activities.
- Loss of interest in food, sex, or other pleasurable things.
- Emotional changes, such as becoming angry for no apparent reason and losing patience.
- Mental health problems such as severe depression, paranoia, or experiencing hallucinations.
- Showing withdrawal symptoms when cocaine is not available.
- Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms:
Because the "high" from cocaine is so short-lived, users often crave the drug. When they don't get it, they can experience withdrawal symptoms. These are the physical and mental symptoms that occur when they suddenly stop using the drug. These are:
- Muscle Tremors / The Shakes.
- Severe headache.
- Extreme fatigue.
- Slowed thinking or confusion of thoughts.
Long-term side effects
When you use cocaine over a long period of time, you are at increased risk of developing serious health problems, some of which can be life-threatening. Some of these serious health problems include:
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- `(HIV/AIDS)`
- Hepatitis C
- Pneumonia
- Increased seizures in people with epilepsy.
Cocaine use over time can also change other brain functions. For example, it affects a neurotransmitter called ``Glutamate.`` Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that sends messages between nerve cells in the brain and is involved in learning and memory. Long-term cocaine use can impair thinking and the ability to remember information. It also makes the parts of the brain that respond to stress (stress receptors) more sensitive, so they can react more quickly to even minor stressful situations.
Is there treatment for Cocaine Use Disorder?
Yes, there are treatments for this condition. The main treatment is based on methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) . People suffering from cocaine addiction can benefit greatly from community-based programs. Researchers are also investigating medications that can help people stop using cocaine.
How can someone addicted to cocaine find help? How can we help?
If you or someone you know is struggling with this, the first and most important step is to get help. You can start with your family doctor. He or she will examine your overall health. He or she may be able to refer you to a substance abuse counselor or recommend community-based programs.
It's also important to remember: Addiction is a chronic disease. It's not a weakness, bad decision-making, or any other personal characteristic. The best support you can give someone struggling with addiction is to encourage them to seek help.
Also, cocaine use affects not only the person using it, but also those around them. It can put a lot of strain on relationships. If you are in a similar situation, consider joining a support group.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that can change lives, and even kill them. Cocaine use can change the way people's brains work, and it increases the risk of developing very serious health problems.
For some people, finding the next "high" may seem like the most important thing in life. However, while a cocaine "high" may last for a few minutes, the effects can last for months, years, or even a lifetime.
If you think someone you love is using cocaine, please encourage them to seek help. Ask a doctor about programs and services available for those affected by someone else's cocaine use. You are not alone.
` Cocaine, crack, drugs, addiction, drug prevention, mental health, dopamine
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