Addiction to drugs continues to rise globally, with youth typically starting off on recreational drugs and progressing slowly to psychotropic drugs. In addition to the dangers of addiction and withdrawal symptoms all drugs come with the possibility of long-term impact on health. The very nature of the action of drugs make them deleterious with far reaching consequences. Over the last thirty years, the number of drug addicts succumbing to overdose related complications has risen, making it necessary to prevent addiction. Here is a detailed look at the possible side effects of cocaine, to help create awareness among high categories.
Statistical overview of psychotropic substances use among youngsters
Around 21 million individuals in the US are under the grip of addiction to some form of intoxication. Most addicts tend to shun de-addiction or therapy and end up with health complications and severe socially unacceptable conduct. The progression from recreational drugs to stronger psychotropic substances depends on various factors. Cocaine is regarded as one among the stronger drugs with severe complications and stronger addiction.
Outline of cocaine and its use
Cocaine is an extract from the coca shrub, and has powerful anesthetic properties. Found in South America, it is known for its stimulating properties and in combination with the ability to block pain, it was earlier used in pain management during procedures that involved the eyes. However, patients who were administered cocaine ended up with addictive impulses and this resulted in the substance being edged out of surgical procedures. Cocaine then made its way into the hands of drug peddlers.
Cocaine is essentially, white or off-white crystalline powder and is often diluted with other substances to increase profits of sellers. The potency of the drug is another reason why diluted drugs still have a market, as it continues to deliver strong intoxicating effects despite being diluted. Cocaine is generally snorted/smoked or injected, following which the drug enters the blood stream. This could be through the blood directly when injected, and through the lungs when it is smoked. Cocaine that is snorted enters the blood stream after it has been absorbed by the nasal tissue on the inside of the nose.
Among the side effects of cocaine reasons that make it a potentially harmful substance is the effect on health and behavior among users who take the substance for a long term. Statistically, fewer number of first-time users of the drug stop taking the substance.
Are cocaine and crack the same?
Essentially, cocaine and crack are the same; it is nothing but a street name for cocaine, with a minor difference. The hydrochloride is removed from cocaine and this substance is crack. In other words, there is not much to differentiate between the two. This form of cocaine is easier to smoke and gives off a distinct cracking sound when it is heated up, which explains the name. Crack production involves heating up of cocaine with baking soda, ammonia, water. The purpose of the heating up and the mixing is to remove the hydrochloride.
What additional dangers are linked with crack addiction?
Crack delivers a ‘fix’ in the shortest possible time; ‘fix’ is a term used by addicts to refer to a high state of intoxication. This high does not last long, and in most instances may leave the addict intoxicated for around five minutes. The manner in which crack is taken, actually makes the addict ingest or intake a large dose of cocaine, and this is one of the reasons for drug overdose and possible consequences.
The intoxicating effect is in the brain, and the stimulants in the drugs create a sort of overwhelming effect on the central nervous system. Like a rush of impulses, the release of dopamine to insane levels creates the ‘high’ that addicts crave. The euphoria experienced during the brief period cannot be achieved naturally, through food, or any actions, and first-time users who drown in these pleasurable feelings end up getting addicted to the experience. Addiction results from the control exerted by the reward pathways on the actions on the individual. For instance, the craving is always for a similar or even more intense feeling, which is responsible for addiction.
How is drug induced pleasure different from pleasure associated with natural actions?
Dopamine is released naturally during various actions – food, sex, beauty, joyful moments, sights, smell, achievements, fame, music etc. However, there are two differences between natural stimuli and drug stimuli. Dopamine levels increase during the above natural acts., at reasonable levels and the neurotransmitters return to the neurons, on completion of signaling functions. However, when dopamine is released as a result of drug induced response, the levels of dopamine are exceedingly high and the dopamine does not return to the neurons. As the dopamine does not return, the feelings of pleasure remain extended, unnaturally, though, and it is this feeling that is a ‘high’, a ‘fix’ that is responsible for addiction.
Dangers of addiction to cocaine or other forms of the drug
Cocaine, or crack or other forms of the drug are dangerous in many ways. Apart from the health, social and economic impact of addiction, there are legal issues that can seriously affect families and societies. The possession, or handling, or facilitating use of cocaine in any form is illegal globally, with various laws in place to mete out punishment. In certain countries, handling of drugs are offences that can result in the death penalty.
Health impact of cocaine is primarily on the heart and the brain. The drug brings about changes in the brain of the addict, and this responsible for the erratic and non-conformist behavior of the individual. Another reason that is considered as alarming is the absence of any clear, defined threshold limit. It is impossible to determine how much of cocaine is safe for a user. This effectively means that a first-time user may end up consuming more than the safe limit, thereby ending up addicted to the substance, or in worst case scenarios, may suffer the consequences of a drug overdose.
What happens as a result of cocaine overdose?
Addicts are exposed to various risks complications as a result of cocaine overdose, including fatalities in certain circumstances. There is a clear risk of heart attack, stroke and seizures from overdose. Other health complications that are serious in nature include the possibility of hemorrhage and respiratory failure among addicts or first-time users who overdose on the substance. The absence of any known or proven antidote to mitigate the effects of overdose makes it more dangerous.
Are there any heightened risks as a result of the mode of drug intake?
There is a difference in risk levels among cocaine addicts, primarily categorized by the manner of intake. Addicts who smoke cocaine, or inject the substance may be exposed to elevated risks due to the manner of delivery of the substance. This is because the cocaine enters the bloodstream through injections and inhalation more strongly and this could trigger addictions more easily than individuals who snort the substance.
Smoking of any substance, including nicotine comes with the element of risk, and addicts who smoke cocaine end up with combined risks. This includes respiratory complications, smoker’s cough, and possible damage to the lungs. Smokers are known to experience bleeding in the lungs with possible shortness of breath, and when this combines with e ill effects of cocaine, the health risk are aggravated.
What happens in the brain due to prolonged addiction?
As outlined above, cocaine addiction causes changes in the brain with significant impact on various actions. The frontal lobe of addicts are observed to be abnormal in size and shape; and most importantly there is marked decrease in the grey matter. The amount of grey matter reduction is linked to the length of substance abuse and side effects of cocaine. Addicts are known to have abnormally large basal ganglia, that is associated with the reward pathways. This is another change that makes the brains of addicts different from that of non-addicts.
What kind of health complications will an addict face?
The blood vessels of addicts are known to be constricted, and this is one of the reasons for health complications related to heart and stroke. Elevated heart beat rate and higher body temperature are commonly observed symptoms associated with addiction. A commonly reported symptom among addicts is increased headaches. This is primarily as a result of intense and extended activity in the brain and the reward pathways.
Nausea and abdominal pain are other conditions that frequently reported by addicts. Disinterest in routine activities are a possibility as addicts live in a surreal world, craving the high, in place of normal behavior. Unhygienic habits are synonymous with addicts, who may also show no interest towards food. Common perceptions that addicts are scrawny or malnourished are not wrong, due to lack of appetite. Paranoia is another possible outcome among a section of users, as a result of the sudden changes from reality to euphoria and back. Addicts are known to hallucinate easily, imagining sounds and fears that impact behavior.
Compromised sense of smell is a possibility among addicts who snort cocaine, as the lining of the nose may end up damaged. In addition to this, addicts who snort are also likely to find it difficult to swallow food, while many may end up with nasal septum decay and a running nose. The total disregard for safety and the sole focus on getting a fix, causes the addicts to adopt behavior that is careless, indifferent and risky. The possibility of contracting diseases is high among addicts, as a result of contaminated syringes. HIV and AIDS are other dreaded conditions that may afflict addicts due to risky sexual conduct.
Addicts are known to mix different types of intoxicants and this could result in elevated risk of fatalities from dangerous combinations. Cocaethylene in the liver is the result of alcohol and cocaine, which is responsible for a large number of fatalities, known as sudden death. Additionally, the heady mix or cocktail of drugs can push an addict or first-time user to attempt dangerous activities that may not have been attempted in a sober state of mind. Risky behavior and openness to sexual activities under the influence of drugs and alcohol can lead to disastrous consequences for the addicts and families.
Education: Master’s in Nursing (MSN) from Johns Hopkins University. Experience: 7 years writing for online health portals and nursing journals, specializing in patient education and chronic illness management.
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