Understanding Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine is one of the most prevalent drugs used in the United States and a highly addictive substance. It is derived from the cocoa plant. Street names for cocaine include snow, dust, coke, crack, and many others. Cocaine like most drug addictions knows no boundaries between race, gender, age, or social class. Just about anyone can be at risk for becoming addicted to cocaine.
Cocaine is highly addictive and can produce a craving for it even after the first few times of a user trying it. Because it is so highly addictive, it is easy for it to become habit forming. While many people abusing the drug will develop a tolerance, cocaine can often cause more dangerous side effects with prolonged use even in small doses.
There are many short term and long term effects of cocaine use. Short term effects include hyperactivity, restlessness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, excitement, twitching, and paranoia. Prolonged use of cocaine may cause other side effects such as itching, delusions, psychosis, and even possible stroke or heart and lung failure. Depending on the method a user abuses cocaine there may also be side effects such as bloody nose, collapsed veins, lung damage and other potential risks associated with cocaine use.
The symptoms of someone abusing cocaine are similiar to those who are abusing other drugs. In addition to the physical side effects of cocaine use listed above, there are many other emotional and social implications of using the drug. They include change in friends, withdrawn about social activities, poor nutrition, decreased personal hygiene, depression, unpredictable behavior, problems with school or work, financial problems, relationship problems, legal problems, lack of money, stealing, and other signs that the person is having a problem with addiction.
Overcoming cocaine addiction is possible, however many users do not seek help until their life may seem out of control, they have ended up in the emergency room, or a court order demands it. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are mild to moderate, but the craving for the drug is so severe that it can be difficult to control those cravings. While the withdrawal symptoms can be managed at home or without medical supervision, it can be very difficult for the person to overcome the craving to get the drug. Successful recovery over cocaine addiction often utilizes in patient drug rehab programs that remove the person from the availability of obtaining the drug, as well as learn coping methods to overcome cravings and live without the drug.
Understanding cocaine addiction can prevent many people from ever using the drug, as well as help those who are using it get the help they need.
Cocaine is highly addictive and can produce a craving for it even after the first few times of a user trying it. Because it is so highly addictive, it is easy for it to become habit forming. While many people abusing the drug will develop a tolerance, cocaine can often cause more dangerous side effects with prolonged use even in small doses.
There are many short term and long term effects of cocaine use. Short term effects include hyperactivity, restlessness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, excitement, twitching, and paranoia. Prolonged use of cocaine may cause other side effects such as itching, delusions, psychosis, and even possible stroke or heart and lung failure. Depending on the method a user abuses cocaine there may also be side effects such as bloody nose, collapsed veins, lung damage and other potential risks associated with cocaine use.
The symptoms of someone abusing cocaine are similiar to those who are abusing other drugs. In addition to the physical side effects of cocaine use listed above, there are many other emotional and social implications of using the drug. They include change in friends, withdrawn about social activities, poor nutrition, decreased personal hygiene, depression, unpredictable behavior, problems with school or work, financial problems, relationship problems, legal problems, lack of money, stealing, and other signs that the person is having a problem with addiction.
Overcoming cocaine addiction is possible, however many users do not seek help until their life may seem out of control, they have ended up in the emergency room, or a court order demands it. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are mild to moderate, but the craving for the drug is so severe that it can be difficult to control those cravings. While the withdrawal symptoms can be managed at home or without medical supervision, it can be very difficult for the person to overcome the craving to get the drug. Successful recovery over cocaine addiction often utilizes in patient drug rehab programs that remove the person from the availability of obtaining the drug, as well as learn coping methods to overcome cravings and live without the drug.
Understanding cocaine addiction can prevent many people from ever using the drug, as well as help those who are using it get the help they need.