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.
Methods of Abuse
Cocaine is typically used by snorting or sniffing the powder into the nose. Once the cocaine enters the nose, it is absorbed into the mucus membranes and then into the bloodstream.
Cocaine can also be used by injection, ingestion or smoking. 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 user will rub cocaine onto his or her gums and lips, which causes a numbing sensation.
Cocaine 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 cocaine enters the bloodstream, 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 use, the body will adapt to this interference, causing damage to the neurons and ultimately leading to the user needing cocaine to continue functioning normally.
Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Use
Cocaine has many effects on the body, including:
- 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 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 signs and symptoms could indicate a problem with cocaine.
Dangers of Cocaine Use
There are many dangers associated with the use of cocaine. The largest risk associated with cocaine use is overdose. This can be characterized by convulsions, heart failure, and the depression of necessary biological functions such as breathing. Cocaine overdose frequently has fatal consequences.
Long-term use of cocaine can lead to issues, including:
- Heart attack or failure
- Respiratory issues
- Chronic nosebleeds
- Losing the sense of smell
- Problems with swallowing
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
Cocaine withdrawal is 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 withdrawal is just as likely to cause the user to keep abusing the drug.
Cocaine withdrawal is 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 discontinuing use of cocaine, call Pathway, we can help. 877-921-4050
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Cocaine Effects, Cocaine Addiction
