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STREET NAMES: Coke,
Snow, Blow, Powder, Nose Candy, Cola.
Other forms: Crack cocaine is a more pure form
of cocaine, which is smoked and is commonly referred to
as "Rock or Base."
Cocaine is found in the leaves of the coca plant, which
grows primarily in South America and Central America. The
leaves are processed and produce a coca paste; the paste
is in turn processed to form a white hydrochloride powder.
It is consumed by sniffing or by intravenous injection.
A crystallized form of cocaine base (crack) is inhaled by
"smoking" the ignited vapors in small glass pipes.
Most users consume cocaine every few days, on weekends
or at parties. Some persons are habituated, in that they
like to use the drug on a regular schedule, such as once
daily or once every other day. A few persons become so dependent
that they smoke cocaine every two to four hours; cocaine
users on a binge may take it every few minutes. The immediate
effect is a "rush" or "flash" of intense
euphoria lasting fifteen to thirty minutes, with lesser
euphoria for up to three to four hours. Unless users are
tolerant to cocaine, their pupils dilate, their speech is
rapid, and excitation occurs. With crack, the euphoria is
more intense, often briefer, and usually followed by severe
craving and depression.
Complications with chronic use of cocaine may produce severe
impairments, including rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis,
and respiratory ailments; nasal ulcers and/or perforation
of the nasal septum; paranoia; mental confusion and forgetfulness;
severe depression and lack of energy between doses; addiction;
loss of interest and motivation in work; and a distorted
sense of time (the user is frequently late or forgets appointments).
Further, studies show that chronic use of cocaine may deplete
the brain of certain chemicals, including noreprinephinc,
dopamine, and serotonin, thus producing changes in brain
chemistry. And alcohol and other drugs multiply the impairment
caused by cocaine, particularly in teenagers and other inexperienced
users.
To the chronic cocaine abuser, social problems are often
devastating. The person may lose the desire to work, experience
marital discord or relationship problems, lose friends and
family, resort to illegal activities to support the habit,
switch to heroin or alcohol abuse, have accidents, or become
involved in arguments and fight.
Cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs known. In laboratory
studies an addicted rat's craving for cocaine overrides
all other natural functions including the desire for food,
water, and sex; the rat will seek cocaine until it is exhausted
and death occurs. Human cocaine addicts usually take the
drug at least four times a day, in an effort to keep the
substance constantly in their bloodstream. Those who have
sought medical assistance to withdraw from cocaine in treatment
facilities have, upon terminating use of the drug, reported
symptoms of severe depression, lack of energy, sleep disorders,
tremor, muscle aches, nausea, and intense craving for cocaine.
With some luck and an intense determination to stop, these
persons usually find that initial withdrawal symptoms start
to subside after approximately three weeks. Unfortunately,
however, relapse is extremely common; many users, for example,
switch to alcohol abuse. It is recommended that the cocaine
user stay in treatment for several months after withdrawal.
Below is the description used in classification of Cocaine
Addiction used in the DSM-IV (3)
304.20 Cocaine Dependence
Cocaine has extremely potent euphoric effects,
and individuals exposed to it can develop Dependence after
using cocaine for very short periods of time. An early sign
of Cocaine Dependence is when the individual finds it increasingly
difficult to resist using cocaine whenever it is available.
Because of its short half-life, there is a need for frequent
dosing to maintain a 'high" Persons with Cocaine Dependence can spend extremely large amounts of money on the drug within
a very short period of time. As a result, the person using
the substance may become involved in theft, prostitution,
or drug dealing or may request salary advances to obtain
funds to purchase the drug. Individuals with Cocaine Dependence often find it necessary to discontinue use for several days
to rest or to obtain additional funds. Important responsibilities
such as work or child-care may be grossly neglected to obtain
or use cocaine. Mental or physical complications of chronic
use such as paranoid ideation, aggressive behavior, anxiety,
depression, and weight loss are common, Regardless of the
route of administration, tolerance occurs with repeated
use. Withdrawal symptoms, particularly dysphoric mood, can
be seen, but are usually transitory and associated with
high-dose use.
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