Cocaine Addiction

• What is cocaine?
• Why people use Cocaine?
• What are the signs of cocaine addiction?
• What are the side effects of cocaine?
• How to treat cocaine abuse?

What is cocaine?
Cocaine, which is derived from coca leaves is an addictive drug that plays as a stimulant. Cocaine abuse happens in three ways – by way of snorting, injecting and smoking. Millions of people across varied age groups are addicted to cocaine.

Why people use Cocaine?
Cocaine Addiction is prevalent amongst millions of Americans. Cocaine consumption causes a rush to the brain accompanied by one or two minutes of intense pleasure followed by 5 to 8 minutes of euphoria. When the high comes down there is an overwhelming desire to repeat the experience. Cocaine triggers the neurotransmitter dopamine which is present in the brain and is responsible for creating the sensations of pleasure and emotion.
Cocaine addiction is known to cause mental disorders in addicts, and hundreds of thousands of visits to emergency departments are attributable to cocaine addiction and abuse.

What are the signs of cocaine addiction?
When people use cocaine, the pupil of their eyes constrict, even during the night. There is nosebleed if someone is snorting cocaine regularly. Cocaine abuse may result in sweating, involuntary body movements and nervous breakdowns. Look for erratic behaviors of the addict. 

What are the side effects of cocaine?
It has been well researched and documented that cocaine effects can have a very detrimental effect on the physical and mental well being of its users. These effects are of the following types:

• In between doses and on discontinuing consumption there is a feeling of depression and tiredness.
• Cocaine effects are extremely harsh on the body, and prolonged abuse can lead to addiction, permanent damage and death.
• Cocaine effects include cardiac arrest, seizures and respiratory failure.
• In first time users’ cocaine causes increased energy, loss of appetite, increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Cocaine effects can cause people’s lives to be ruined and one would do well to steer clear of its use.

How to treat Cocaine abuse?
Find a drug rehabilitation center near you in our drug rehabilitation centers list and contact a drug rehab counselor immediately.

For a less severe drug addiction, use our First Step drug withdrawal book to help make coming off drugs easier and less painful.

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