Crack and Cocaine
Cocaine is an extremely addictive Central Nervous System stimulant made from the chemical cocaine hydrochloride. It is sold most commonly in the form of a white powder that is diluted with other substances such as cornstarch, talcum powder, sugar, or other stimulants such as amphetamines. It is common for an individual who has used the drug for only a brief amount of time to develop a strong addiction to it.
Cocaine generally causes increased alertness, inhibited appetite, and decreased need to sleep, and basically produces a feeling of intense pleasure. Though these effects are immediate, they are very brief. As the drug wears off feelings of intense depression and fatigue appear, generally causing the drug abuser to sleep for several days thereafter.
The overall effects of Cocaine are extremely dangerous to the body and can lead to permanent damage and/or death. There are two categories of effects related to cocaine use: those linked to short-term use, and those linked to long-term use. Even if a person has used cocaine only once, they are still at risk to the effects of short-term cocaine use. Effects related to long-term use, however, are associated only with increased duration of use.
Short-term effects of cocaine appear immediately after use, and although they are less serious than long-term effects, they can cause severe bodily damage as well as death. Though the feelings connected with short-term use are what users generally “chase” – those being increased energy and decreased appetite, the underlying effects are extremely detrimental to a person’s health. Short-term use of cocaine causes an increase in heart rate and in blood pressure as well as constricted blood vessels and an increase in body temperature. These effects can result in cardiac arrest, seizures, or respiratory failure. As use continues and tolerance to the drug increases, these effects become significantly more dangerous.
Health Hazards
Long-term effects to the drug appear after abuse has continued for a duration of time, and the user has built up a tolerance to the drug. Long-term effects, like short-term effects, can cause major health complications. There are four main areas where these complications can be seen. The first is cardiovascular. Long-term effects of cocaine can cause disturbances in heart rhythm, leading to heart attacks, and can also instigate heart disease. The second area of complications deals with respiratory health. The user may experience chest pain and even respiratory failure. Thirdly, neurological effects begin to appear in the drug user. Long-term use of cocaine can result in severe headaches, seizures, and strokes. The fourth area affected by long-term use of cocaine is the gastrointestinal area. The user may begin to feel abdominal pain, as well as extreme nausea.
Other serious long-term effects include: addiction, paranoia, irritability, restlessness, auditory hallucinations, and mood disturbances. A cocaine user may also exhibit some of the following behaviors: acting withdrawn, depressed, tired; loss of interest in school, family, and friends; frequently in need of money; isolating one’s self from others; thoughts of suicide and paranoia; lying and stealing; and an overall change in eating, sleeping, and usual behavior patterns.
The method of using the drug can also produce more physical problems. Snorting the substance can lead to a loss of the sense of smell, nosebleeds, complications swallowing, and a chronically inflamed, runny nose. When a user ingests cocaine, it can cause serious bowel gangrene due to reduced blood flow. Also, because cocaine affects the user’s appetite, significant weight loss can occur as well as other health problems associated with malnourishment.