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Cocaine
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Cocaine is an addictive
substance, which comes from coca leaves or is made synthetically.
This drug acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system. Cocaine appears as a white
powder substance which is inhaled, injected, freebased (smoke), or applied
directly to the nasal membrane or gums. Cocaine
gives the user a tremendous “rush.” These
chemicals trick the brain into feeling it has experienced pleasure. Slang terms for cocaine
include: Coke, crack, dust, snow, blow, flakes, bloke, and dream. Physiological effects
include: increased heart rate and breathing; increased blood pressure;
nausea; weight loss; tremors; insomnia; rapid breathing; twitching; fever;
pallor; dilated pupils; cold sweats; fatigue; constipation; headaches; blurred
vision; seizures; nasal congestion. Personality effects include:
lying; stealing; superior attitude; less ambition; argumentativeness/short
temper; job problems; denial of responsibility; depression; confusion; increased
number of accidents; hallucinations; anxiety; paranoia; poor concentration; loss
of interest in sex; flattened and dulled emotions. Health problems include:
ulceration of the nasal membrane; cardiac arrest; respiratory arrest;
physiological seizures; lung damage. The effects of cocaine
occur within the first few minutes, peak in 15 to 20 minutes and disappear in
about one hour. The immediate
effects are what make cocaine so addicting.
The user is willing to endure the lows in order to experience the highs. Cocaine is highly addictive.
Every use of the drug makes the addiction stronger.
This addiction can begin almost immediately following the first use.
The addiction to cocaine is very strong; therefore, withdrawal symptoms
are likely to occur when a person is not using the drug. Withdrawal symptoms include:
extreme irritability; sluggishness; nausea; disorganized thinking.
Although these symptoms may cause discomfort for a brief period of time,
the benefits for a person who stops using the drug greatly outweigh an addiction
to cocaine. Pregnant and using cocaine?
You risk: increased incidence of miscarriage; increased incidence of
premature labor; fetal addiction/withdrawal after birth; prenatal strokes due to
fluctuations in blood pressure; kidney and respiratory ailments; Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome; in males, cocaine may attach to the sperm causing damage to the
cells of the fetus. If you suspect that you have a problem with
cocaine or other drugs, please contact your local hospital or in CT call
Infoline at 211 for a referral.
Call
MAWSAC at 203-294-3591 for more information or assistance.
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