Cocaine is a commonly abused stimulant in the United States. Cocaine comes as a white powder, or a more crystallized “rock-like” version, known as crack-cocaine. Most cocaine is trafficked into the U.S. through the Mexico border. Most cocaine is grown in Latin America and South America. Common street terms for cocaine include dust, blow, flake, snow, powder, coke, rock (for crack), yayo.
While cocaine has declined in popularity over recent years, it is still in our communities. The Arizona Youth Survey showed that by 12th grade, one in 20 teens has used cocaine at some point in their lifetime. California drug use statistics show that around one in 15 teens used cocaine by 11th grade.
Methods of Cocaine Abuse
Cocaine is typically used by snorting or sniffing cocaine powder into the nose. Once the cocaine enters the nose, cocaine is absorbed into the mucus membranes and then into the bloodstream.
Cocaine can also be used by injection, ingestion or smoking. Cocaine use by injection is the process of using a syringe to inject cocaine directly into the bloodstream. Cocaine use by ingestion is commonly referred to as the “numbies.” This is when a cocaine user will rub cocaine onto his or her gums and lips, which causes a numbing sensation.
Cocaine use in its crack form can be smoked using either pipes, or through a process called “free-basing,” where the user puts crack on a piece of foil and lights it from the bottom, inhaling the smoke through a small straw.
Cocaine’s Effects on the Body
Once it enters the bloodstream, cocaine has an effect on the body. It quickly passes into the brain where it interferes with the reuptake of neurotransmitters associated with the body’s “reward system.” Interfering with this reuptake causes these neurotransmitters to not be broken down by the sending neuron, and therefore cause a “rush” of pleasure associated with the high of cocaine.
With prolonged cocaine use, cocaine’s effect on the body will adapt to this interference, causing damage to the neurons and ultimately leading to the user needing cocaine to continue functioning normally.
Cocaine Abuse Signs and Symptoms
Cocaine use has many effects on the body. Cocaine abuse signs and symptoms include:
- Restlessness
- Hyper-activity
- Panic
- Extreme talkativeness
- Dilated pupils
- Increased temperature and heart rate
- Lack of sleep
- Irritated nasal area
- Decreased or absent appetite
- Appearance of unexplained white powder on clothing or face
- Possession of cocaine paraphernalia. This cocaine paraphernalia could include small baggies, straws, broken pen casings, or rolled-up dollar bills (for snorting), mirrors and razor blades (for making lines of cocaine), pipes, tin foil, syringes, missing shoe laces and belts (used to “tie off” for injecting the drug).
Showing any of these cocaine use signs and symptoms could indicate a problem with cocaine.
Dangerous Effects of Cocaine Use and Abuse
There are many dangerous effects associated with the use of cocaine. The largest risk associated with cocaine use is overdose. A cocaine overdose is characterized by convulsions, heart failure, and depression of necessary biological functions such as breathing. Cocaine overdose frequently has fatal consequences.
Long-term addiction to cocaine abuse can lead to issues, including:
- Heart attack or failure
- Respiratory issues
- Chronic nosebleeds
- Losing the sense of smell
- Problems with swallowing
Cocaine users who inject cocaine also expose themselves to all the risks associated with syringe use such as a higher risk of contracting many diseases including HIV.
Cocaine Withdrawal Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
Cocaine withdrawal signs and symptoms are commonly overlooked as an issue because it does not involve such extreme physical symptoms like the shaking and vomiting associated with heroin and alcohol withdrawal. However, cocaine addiction withdrawal is just as likely to cause the user to keep abusing the drug.
Cocaine withdrawal signs and symptoms are characterized by extreme bouts of anxiety, sleepiness, irritability, fatigue, and sometimes agitation or extreme suspicion. Many cocaine users first discontinuing use of cocaine will suffer delusional or paranoid spells.
If you or a loved one is interested in treatment for cocaine addiction, call call The Pathway Program at 877-921-4050 for an evaluation.