What is cocaine?
It is an illegal narcotic drug that is available as a white powder or crystals (called crack cocaine). It is derived from the coca plant and was originally meant to be a painkiller. It is usually snorted but can be rubbed on the gums, consumed orally and sometimes even injected for more rapid absorption, although this increases the risk of an overdose.
It has many street names, the most popular being snow, coke, dust, paradise, white, sniff, binge and flake. This powder is usually mixed with talcum powder, sugar, corn starch, amphetamines or other drugs before being sold and used.
It is one of the most addictive drugs known to the human race. Its addicts range from different age groups, professions, economic and social backgrounds. Individuals can get addicted even after just the first use. This is one of the reasons many people get addicted and the number of addicts is steadily going up. They get addicted even before the realization strikes them.
Dangers of using cocaine
- Overdose
- Respiratory failure
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Birth defects in children of mothers who are addicts
Effects of using cocaine
There are many immediate as well as long term physical, physiological and mental ill effects that cocaine has on the individual, the addict. These effects range from loss of appetite and mood disturbances to seizures and multiple organ damage.
Immediate effects of cocaine
- Increase in heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature
- Faster and heavier breathing
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Intense craving for a fix
- Depression and anxiety
- Violent behavior
- Hallucinations and paranoia
- Seizures and sudden death from overdose (even the first time)
Long term effects of cocaine
- Severe addiction
- Irreversible damage to blood vessels increasing risk of heart attack and stroke
- Multiple organ damage
- Impotency and infertility
- Violent uncontrolled behavior
- Excessive weight loss
- Severe depression, anxiety and irritability
- Hallucinations, delirium and paranoia
- Addiction and tolerance
You can get addicted even after just one use so it is best to keep away from this drug altogether.
