Statistics paint a grim picture about substance abuse and the dangers of addiction to intoxicants. In the US, an estimated 21 million individuals are reported addicted to some kind of intoxication, with only a small percentage actually receiving treatment for the addiction. Shockingly, the number of fatalities attributed to drug overdose has increased three-fold over the last three decades, posing a serious health risk. One of the more common and popular forms of addiction is cocaine, which is typically considered among the highest levels of addiction to drugs. Here is an in-depth look at the side effects of cocaine and the manner in which the addiction impacts health of the addict, apart from the social and economic burden on the family.
Overview of cocaine
A natural anesthetic, cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the coca scrub, a plant that is native to South America. Regarded as the most powerful stimulant, cocaine is essentially a pain blocker and was first used during eye surgery for its anesthetic effect. Its use as an anesthetic was discarded after studies showed its addictive properties. Therefore, despite its potent anesthetic properties its use in surgical procedures was discontinued. However, the substance then attained notoriety, when it found its way into society as recreational drugs.
The white crystalline powder may also appear off-white, and is sometimes mixed with other substances. The mixing of cocaine with other substances, also known as diluting is an effort to increase margins of peddlers. One of the reasons that make cocaine a dangerous substance is its effect on long term users. An illegal substance, cocaine is available in various forms and is typically either smoked or injected or snorted by addicts. The drug enters the blood stream through the lungs when it is either smoked or inhaled. In the case of injections, the drug directly enters the blood stream and when the substance is snorted, it finds its way to the bloodstream through the nasal tissues that absorb the drug.
Misconceptions about crack
New addicts are often fooled into believing that crack is different from cocaine, and end up taking crack, expecting lesser addiction or effects. This is a misconception, as crack is essentially a from of cocaine, and is the street name for the substance. Cocaine with the hydrochloride removed is crack, which makes it easy to smoke. Heating up of the substance induces a cracking sound, which gave the substance its name initially. Crack is made either with baking soda, or a mix of ammonia and water, and is subsequently heated to separate and remove the hydrochloride. By virtue of the manner in which crack is used, addicts end up taking a huge dose of cocaine. While the high may not last longer than five minutes or so, the fix is virtually instantaneous, with the addict experiencing an intense high immediately after taking crack.
How does the drug work to deliver the high?
Most drugs deliver effects int eh brain which lead to the “high” associated with drugs. As Powerful stimulants, drugs have an overpowering effect on the nervous system, increasing levels of dopamine. This increase is virtually impossible to achieve naturally, and the sudden rush of dopamine increases the feelings of pleasure. This reward pathway in the brain has a controlling effect on the individual, with a desire for a bigger or more intense high. Unlike natural stimuli that trigger dopamine, drugs have a different effect on the neurotransmitter. For instance, individuals typically experience an increase in dopamine levels when indulging in certain activities – such as consuming good food.
However, the dopamine returns to the neuron, after concluding its signaling. When an individual intakes drugs in some form, the dopamine is released similarly, but does not return to the neuron. By ensuring that the dopamine does not return to the neuron, the brain continues to receive pleasurable messages, and this is effectively the high associated with drugs. This surge in dopamine and accumulation of dopamine gives users euphoric feelings, and in certain instances, energy to attempt acts that may not have been attempted normally.
Common risks associated with cocaine
As mentioned earlier, cocaine is an illegal substance globally, and its possession or handling is banned by law enforcement authorities. The negative impact of cocaine on health includes the effects on the heart and the changes in the brain. Addiction is essentially a result of the changes brought about in the brain by the substance. The single biggest cause for concern with regard to cocaine, is the lack of any safe limit for infrequent or one time use. In other words, it is virtually impossible to ascertain how much of cocaine is safe for an individual. In the absence of such thresholds, occasional users may also end up as addicts, over a period of time. Other reasons that make cocaine dangerous is the dependence on the substance and the total changes in lifestyle that it brings on the user. Cocaine exercises a stranglehold on the user, and once a user reaches this stage, it takes considerable effort and time to wean the individual off the substance.
Possible risks of overdose from cocaine
As mentioned above, it is difficult to understand the safe limits or doses for users. Consequently, addicts are exposed to the adverse effects of the substance. This includes the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The possibility of fatalities is high, with individuals exposed to possible risk of seizures, hemorrhage, and respiratory failure. Apart from the possible effects of overdose, there is also the risk of adverse health conditions among users who use the substance in safe limits. The issue is further complicated as presently, there are antidotes or medications in use to counter the effects of cocaine overdose.
Among users of cocaine, some are exposed to higher risk levels that is attributed to the manner in which the substance is used. For instance, individuals who either smoke cocaine or inject the substance are considered at higher risk than individuals who snort the substance. The manner in which cocaine enters the bloodstream has an impact on the speed of addiction, and smokers are more likely to develop addictions. In addition to the effects listed above, addicts who smoke cocaine are also exposed to other elevated risks. For instance, the possibilities of respiratory complications, frequent bouts of coughing, bleeding in the lungs, damage to the lungs, and shortness of breath are all possibilities that are associated with smokers of cocaine.
Possible changes in the brain with long term use of cocaine
Studies have clearly demonstrated the link between regular use of cocaine and changes in the brain. For instance, the frontal lobe of individuals who take cocaine on a long term is known to end up with an abnormal structure. This includes a measurable reduction in grey matter in the brain of drug addicts. This decrease in grey matter is proportional to the length of use of the substance. Another distinct change linked to users is the size of the portion of the brain that is linked to the reward pathways, the basal ganglia. This portion of the brain of addicts is known to be unusually large.
Health risks and side effects of cocaine
Other health risks associated with cocaine includes the possibility of constricted blood vessels among users. The individual may end up with increased body temperature, while some are known to experience an increase in heart rate. The high heart rate, and possible increase in blood pressure levels can result in heart failure and stoke among addicts. In addition to the above, drug addicts also experience certain tell-tale effects of cocaine. For instance, the frequency of headaches is likely to increase, due to the increased action it the brain. Pain in the abdomen is relatively common among users of drugs, while some are known to experience feelings of nausea.
Adverse health effects from the world of make believe
Drug related symptoms that are generic in nature include a decrease in appetite, and many addicts typically appear malnourished and weak. Due to the make-believe world of euphoria and the absence of reality, addicts are also plagued with paranoid feelings. In addition to this, individuals are also exposed to the risk of hallucinating frequently, with feelings of hearing sounds that are entirely imaginary in nature.
Addicts are also known to lose the sense of smell, while those who snort the substance may end up damaging the insides of the nose, resulting in frequent nosebleeds. Other persistent symptoms associated with snorting include difficulty in swallowing, running nose, decay in nasal septum. By virtue of the callous attitude and total disregard to health, hygiene or safety in the pursuit of a fix, addicts are exposed to other serious health complications. For instance, the risk of contracting diseases and infections that spread through contaminated blood, and shared injections is high. Consequently, addicts are at higher risk of contracting AIDS and Hepatitis.
Consequences of combining intoxicants
The search for a higher fix often results in individuals mixing or combining intoxicants. This is an extremely dangerous practice and is responsible for a large number of serious and fatal conditions. For instance, combining cocaine with alcohol can result in the production of coca ethylene in the liver. While this combination may deliver an intense “high”, or a faster “fix”, there is a very serious risk of sudden death. It is important for families, and support systems in society to wean individuals away from drugs and most importantly prevent users from combining substances. There is a clear need to educate users about the risks of such combinations and to prevent situations that encourage users to try drugs.