Drug Addiction Facts

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About Cocaine

By Stephanie Loebs

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The lore of cocaine is long and storied. In the late nineteenth century it was used for medicinal purposes - as a stimulant of the central nervous system, people took products laced with cocaine to aid headaches, boost energy, and suppress the appetite. Doctors and dentists used cocaine as a form of anesthetic, while a growing soft drink company took its name from the very ingredient included in its original recipe.

In the early 1900s, it became apparent that cocaine was habit-forming, to the point of dangerous addiction. Coca-Cola ceased using the stimulant in 1906, and in 1914 a law passed in the United States making it illegal to use cocaine for any purpose.

However, cocaine use in the United States remains prevalent to this day. Cocaine is the number two recreational drug in the country, yielding as much as $35 billion annually to dealers. According to the 2006 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime World Drug Report, the United States leads the world in cocaine use among people aged 15 to 64. It is glamorized in film and song and touted as a "celebrity" drug, often associated with a decadent lifestyle.

Many kinds of addiction -- such as those for alcohol, drugs and nicotine -- occur in people with various kinds of mental illness, including depression, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders, according to background information in an American Psychological Association news release about the Indiana University study.

Yet, one doesn't have to be rich to afford a five-dollar "hit" of crack cocaine, or be a movie star to become addicted. Regardless of your station in life, constant cocaine use can lead to serious health and personal problems.

As a stimulant, cocaine is known to heighten euphoria and awareness, and increase the heart rate. Users will experience an increase of dopamine and seratonin in the brain, which enhances the "high" feeling people get after taking the drug. It powdered form, cocaine is usually scraped into thick lines and snorted into the nasal passages - either directly or via a small cylinder like a rolled-up dollar bill. Cocaine may also be injected into the bloodstream or smoked in freebase or rock (crack) form.

Some parents breathe a sign of relief when they find their child is "just" drinking alcohol and not using drugs, but it is a myth that alcohol is a "better" drug. Alcohol abuse, drunk driving, and alcohol-related diseases take a major toll on our society, and children who begin drinking at a young age are at much higher risk of developing other problems.

As such, regular use may also promote restlessness and high blood pressure, paranoia, and ensuing depression and addiction during short periods of withdrawal. Excessive use may prove damaging to the heart, causing cardiac arrest or stroke. Users who snort the drug to excess may eventually experience nosebleeds and damage to the cartilage in the nose.

Signs that somebody may be abusing cocaine include:

Prolonged dilation of the pupils
Rapid, unexplained weight loss
Twitching, jittery behavior and/or sleeplessness

It can be very difficult to live with a family member who has a drug abuse problem. It is best not to try to control, excuse, or cover up the person's drug abuse. Instead, encourage your family member to seek treatment. If your family member does not get help, you can still get help and support for yourself.

Sudden paranoid and/or personality
Possible sexual performance problems
Constant sniffling and watery eyes
Unexplained financial troubles

If you or somebody you love has a dependency on cocaine or other controlled substances, it is strongly advised to consult with a professional with regards to intervention and rehabilitation.

Some common sense: If you have stopped your abusive and drug dependent behavior, make sure that you seek professional assistance if you feel the desire to take drugs again. Taking this one step can go a long way in preventing a relapse. Also keep this in mind: most drug addicts relapse at lease once before attaining lasting sobriety. The point: if you do experience a relapse, get immediate medical treatment so that you can once again get on the road to addiction recovery.

Stephanie Loebs is the executive director of Williamsburg Place, one of the top drug rehab clinics in the nation. Williamsburg Place aids those who suffer from drug and/or alcohol addiction, and specializes in caring for health care professionals. For over twenty years Williamsburg Place and its joint rehabilitation center, the William J. Farley Center, have helped thousands of people from all walks of life take back their lives and overcome substance abuse.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Loebs

Two to five of every 10 anxious or depressed people, and four to eight of every 10 people with schizophrenia, biopolar disorder or antisocial personality, also have some form of addiction, according to epidemiological data.

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Based on your answers to the health care provider's questions and upon the physical exam, it may be concluded that you are indeed, addicted to alcohol, drugs, or both. At this point, your health care professional will discuss your treatment options. Keep in mind that chemical dependency experts, like other specialists, will make various suggestions and recommendations regarding your addiction. You, however, will need to be actively involved in the decision-making process if your treatment is to be successful.

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