Cocaine

Cocaine Abuse and Dependence

Cocaine has been abused for more than 100 years in its pure form of cocaine hydrochloride. The Coca plant, which is the source of cocaine has been used for even longer, for at least 1000 years. The reason for its popularity is the powerful central nervous system stimulant effects of Cocaine.

There are two basic chemical forms of cocaine

1- The hydrochloride salt - is a powdered form that dissolves in water and can be taken intravenously or intra-nasally (through the nose). 2- The freebase - is a non-neutralized form and can be smoked. The white, crystalline form of cocaine is known in streets as Coke, C, snow, blow, or flake.

Cocaine available in the street as illegal forms is often adulterer with non-reactive substances such as cornstarch, talcum, or with stimulant substances like amphetamines. Cocaine can be smoked, injected, snorted, chewed, or mainlined. None of these methods are safe and can lead to overdoses and toxicity. Crack is a free base form cocaine that has been processed with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate to remove the hydrochloride compound of cocaine hydrochloride. Crack when smoked, produces a high in 10 seconds making it very popular in the mid-1980s.

How Cocaine Affects Your Body

Cocaine blocks the retake of dopamine in nerve terminals increasing the concentration of dopamine in areas of the brain responsible for pleasure such as the nucleus accumbens. These areas are usually stimulated with pleasure due to food, water, sex, and drugs of abuse. Cocaine directly stimulates the nucleus accumbens, producing a feeling of pleasure and euphoria making it one of the most addictive drugs known to man. Continued use leads to tolerance where higher doses are required to achieve the same level of high as felt initially or even to feel normal.

Effects Of Cocaine Use

1. Psychological Effects

1. Excitement, increased energy, euphoria, grandiose thinking, impaired judgment, sexual disinhibition.

2. Higher doses lead to visual and auditory hallucinations.

3. Paranoia and aggressive behavior are also observed. Paranoid psychosis can occur in patients with a predisposition to a psychotic disorder

4. Formication - feeling as if insects are crawling on your body is felt in heavy users.

2. Physical Effects

1. Increased pulse rate, blood pressure, and dilation of pupils.

2. Cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, myocarditis, myopathies, cerebrovascular accidents, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and seizures.

3. Obstetric complications such as miscarriage, placental abruption, and premature labor.

Cocaine Addiction

Some of the effects of cocaine addiction are given below.

Crash Symptoms - experienced when cocaine effects are withdrawn - These symptoms usually resolve in 24 hours • Dysphoria - abnormal depression • Anhedonia - the inability to feel pleasure • Anxiety, irritation, fatigue, and hypersomnolence (increased sleepiness) After prolonged use the symptoms are more severe: • Intense craving • Depression • Severe suicidal tendencies

Managing Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine addiction is one of the most difficult addictions to treat. Cocaine withdrawal leads to intense cravings that are extremely difficult to resist. Even with successful initial management, relapses and urges to use can occur after months or even years. A multifaceted approach is required to treat cocaine addiction.

1- Cognitive behavioral therapy, motivation, counseling, and psychotherapy.

2- Medical management - acute intoxications require sedation and anti-psychotics. Managing co-morbidities such as hypertension and seizures are done pharmacologically.

3- Social support from family and friends is important to manage addiction.

References

1- Harrison, P. Shorter Oxford textbook of psychiatry (6th ed., pp. 478-479) 2- Www1.nyc.gov. 2020. Cocaine Abuse & Addiction. [online] Available at: <https:// www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/cocaine-abuse-and-addiction.page> [Accessed 3 October 2020].

Call Now

Call ASV for a free phone consultation

or for more information email

jason@addictionsolutionsvictoria.org.au

addictionsolutionsvictoria.org.au

1227-1229 Malvern Road

Malvern, VIC 3144

"ASV programs and services provide affordable, evidenced based drug and alcohol rehab options across Melbourne, Victoria. The core program is delivered in the persons home where they feel safe and their privacy is protected". - Jase Bowman - ASV CEO Drug Rehabilitation Center, Melbourne & Geelong 2020.

All ASV programs are delivered by experienced, qualified industry professionals.

ASV is proud to be associated with the Melbourne Health & Wellness Institute, the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Collective and the Addiction Recovery is Possible blog platform.

These affiliated sites and networks provide a collective network of professionals, individuals and families to share resources and information related to Addiction treatment and drug and alcohol services and support across Melbourne and Geelong, Victoria.

For more information call Jason on 03 8374 7648

Email jason@addictionsolutionsvictoria.org.au

jason@addictionsolutionsgeelong.org.au

addictionsolutionsvictoria.org.au - addictionsolutionsgeelong.org.au