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Cocaine Addiction and Health

Cocaine is a drug that stimulates the nervous system. It does this by blocking the brains ability to absorb a hormone called dopamine. Consequently dopamine is increased in the brain leading to a more-than-normal stimulation of the nervous system. This process can lead to ill health and addiction.

Cocaine is a white powder that users snort. It can also be converted into a crystal form where it is called ‘crack’. This can vary in colour from white to brown and tends to be smoked.

The effects of cocaine are due to excess amounts of dopamine. In the short-term an individual may experience a rise in heart rate, blood pressure, mental agility, pleasurable feelings and a decrease in appetite. Shortly after the individual may experience the effects from the lack of dopamine. These can be depression, anxiety and irritability and are sometimes referred to as a ‘come down’.

As a person uses more of the drug the brain produces less dopamine. This is in response to the over-production that happens when cocaine is taken. An individual may have long-term depression, cravings and experience hallucinations.

Addiction to cocaine can severely affect health. Dependency can develop because the individual who is already low in dopamine will often take more cocaine to compensate. This leads to a further decline in the hormone and a more intense craving. This is coupled with a growing resistance to cocaine which results in further addictive behaviour.

Health can be affected by both short-term and long-term use of cocaine. In the short-term changes to heart rates can sometimes lead to collapse, exhaustion and loss of appetite. Death is a rare occurrence at this stage but is a danger of taking cocaine. In the long-term the user may risk heart disease, heart attack, strokes, respiratory failure, convulsions and coma.

Psychological health may be affected by the loss in confidence of the individual due to their dependency on the drug. They may develop depression, anxiety and hallucinations. Relationships may also be affected at the users priorities revolve around the acquisition of cocaine.