Do you use cocaine? Do you know of someone who does? If that’s the case, then it’s important that you know more about this harmful drug. The amount of people using cocaine for the first time is increasing day by day. In fact, the 2011 US National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that “there were 670,000 persons aged 12 or older who had used cocaine for the first time within the past 12 months; this averages to approximately 1,800 initiates per day.” This statistic is very alarming, as cocaine is one of the most highly addictive drugs on the planet, which means that the amount of people that could become drug addicts will skyrocket!
What Does Cocaine Look Like?
Cocaine comes in various forms, most commonly in greyish-white crystals (which is then known as crack cocaine) and in a white powdered form.
How is Cocaine Used?
The natives of South and Central America first used cocaine by chewing the leaves of the coca plant, which manufactures this addictive substance. Cocaine can now be smoked through a pipe, snorted or even injected into the body. However, regardless of the method, there is simply no safe way use cocaine.
What Does Cocaine Do To The Body?
Cocaine is a brain stimulating drug, which affects the way it processes dopamine, which is a chemical and a neurotransmitter found in the brain that regulates movement, balance and walking.
When the drug is being used, it causes a short euphoric effect which is followed by these symptoms:
- Constriction of blood vessels.
- Dilation of the pupils in the eyes.
- Increases in body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure.
- Increased energy.
- Heightened sense of alertness.
However when cocaine is used over a long period of time, the effects it has on the body become more severe. They include:
- Unbalanced heartbeat
- Heart attacks and strokes
- Respiratory problems
- Stomach problems
- Nausea
Also, the manner in which cocaine is being used can also have its own effects:
- Snorting
- Constant runny nose
- Nosebleeds
- Losing the ability to smell
- Swallowing problems
- Smoking
- Cocaine addicts may suffer bowel gangrene which is caused by the slowing of blood flow to the intestines.
Injection
Injecting cocaine into the blood stream may cause allergic reactions and it also increases the risk of contracting diseases such as HIV Aids and hepatitis. If you are able to link some of the signs and symptoms mentioned above to a loved one, then it may be a sign that they are abusing cocaine.
How is Cocaine Addiction Treated?
Because cocaine is such an addictive drug, it becomes very hard and dangerous for addicts to quit by themselves and when it is left untreated, addiction is a disease that will only get worse as time goes on. The safest way to treat cocaine addiction is by admittance into a drug rehabilitation centre, where patients will receive specialised medical care, counselling and therapy. The length of treatment is usually dependent on the nature and severity of the addiction suffered, however there is a minimum requirement that patients remain in treatment for at least 4 weeks. Anything below that increases the risk of suffering a relapse once discharged.
For access to the best private cocaine addiction rehabilitation centres in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Thailand, call us now and let one of our qualified addiction counsellors find the treatment available for you or a loved one.