The BIG ‘C’, “Blow”, “Crack” are all common slang terms for the highly addictive and illegal drug known as cocaine. Do you know the physical impact of Cocaine Use?
The substance is in use for more than a century and the adverse effects of the drug were realized in the early 20th century, so much so that the call for prohibition began and the first law was passed in 1914 (Harrison Narcotics Tax Act); this law required this narcotic to de administered under doctor’s supervision. Films in ’60s, 70’s& 80’s glamorized drug use because they depicted the effects of cocaine as Feel-Goods or the stimulant to party all night. This euphoric feeling causes individuals to get temporary pleasure, but it is highly addictive and leads to having an array of physiological, neurological, physical,and last but not the least emotional side effects which are highly damaging to the individual. In 1970, the US drug enforcement Administration categorized cocaine as a Schedule II drug in the Controlled Substances Act due to its high potential for abuse and other health consequences. Possession is a crime. Despite all the laws, the extent of damage can be imagined by looking at the latest census numbers; Cocaine alone has caused over 15,000 reported overdose deaths in the United States during 2019, this number does not include the amount of death that cocaine has caused by bringing on several illnesses including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.
How does this drug work?
Cocaine stimulates the human body by impacting the central nervous system. Cocaine increases the levels of the natural chemical messenger dopamine in the brain circuits related to control movement and reward. Normally dopamine recycles back into the cells that released it, but cocaine blocksthe removal of dopamine causing large amount of buildup in spaces between the two neurotransmitters that is in-charge of providing the ‘pleasure’ feeling, cocaine causes the user to have a heightened and prolonged feeling of pleasure due to the brain being hyper stimulated from the increased amount of dopamine and its overall reduction in being reabsorbed by the human body. The drug works almost instantaneously and can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. There are long term and short-term effects of taking cocaine use and eventually health consequences.
Cocaine Addiction:
Cocaine like any other drugs is habit forming. With the progression of drug useand administering the drug externally brain does not release enough dopamine and serotonin. There are changes in neurotransmitter function in the brain and the body need more chemical to achieve the previous level of pleasure feeling and the individual taking the drug start to consume more and become dependent on the chemical.
Physical and Physiological side effects of Cocaine addiction
- Damaged veins and arteries causing restricted blood flow to all parts of the bodyand mainly brain
- Stroke caused by increased clots in the blood
- Accelerated rate of gray matter degeneration in Brain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dilated pupils
- Muscular twitches and tremors
Mental and emotional Side effects of cocaine addiction
- Fatigue& anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Slowed reflex action and memory loss
- Hallucination
- Psychosis
- Abusive Behavioral Patterns
- Seizures
Researcher are revealing more and more facts and links to the diseases and drug use. It is unreal and hard to believe what repeated use of cocaine can do to your body. The damage done to the health also depends upon how the drug is administered or used. The following are few of the many serious health consequences of cocaine use:
- Damages to the respiratory system directly linking cocaine use to lung cancer
- Gastrointestinal tract issues including IBS/IBD
- heart disease
- Reproductive issues
- Gene Mutation
- Weight Loss and malnutrition
- HIV and Hepatitis if injectables are used
Finding and Getting help!!!
The first step towards the recovery from addiction is finding the drug addiction treatment center and connecting and speaking to a trained professional. Once you find the right people to talk about your addiction; they can help you analyzing your evaluating your condition and putting you on the right path of Recovery. Drug Rehab center in Los Angeles plays a vital role in your journey of recovery, so finding the right one is very important. Trained medical staff and skilled paramedical staff are required at this stage to detox your body. Fighting the addiction not only require detoxing the body off the chemical but also gaining the moral and emotional strength back. Cocaine addiction like any other addiction should not be taken lightly, as it not only affects you but your family, friends, society, and country at large.
Getting the help, you need is important, do not let another day go on by and risk everything for something that only bring pain and misery. You also deserve a life full of life with no regrets.
