What is cocaine?

Cocaine is a crystalline alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant of South America and is used by the indigenous people of the continent as a topical anesthetic and a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system. It is also recognized as an appetite suppressant. However, cocaine is one of the most powerfully addictive substances in existence today whose annual street revenues now exceed over $100 billion. That is more annual revenues than what a large corporation such as Starbuck’s currently earns.

Cocaine is now one of the most popular drugs around the worldwide but the US continues to be the largest importer and user of the drug. Its growing popularity over the past couple of decades in the US has been enhanced by creating crack from the powder form of cocaine. However, cocaine remains widely prevalent across a wide socioeconomic range of American society. Its boundaries where age, demographics, economic classes, gender, political affiliation, religion, and social status are unlimited.

The effects of cocaine use

Although cocaine is extremely fast-acting, the effects it produces are short-lived. Depending on the dosage and the purity of the drug, these effects can range from subtle to extremely exaggerated. The effects are felt within 10 to 15 seconds when it is inhaled (snorted), typically peaking in 5 to 10 minutes, and then fully wearing off in about 20 to 30 minutes on the average.

Cocaine works by stimulating the cardiovascular system as well as the central nervous system. Basically, it tricks the brain into believing that it has been given something very pleasurable such as a good meal or sex. The intensity of the high is based on how quickly the person’s body ingests the drug. In other words, the quicker it is released into one’s bloodstream, the more intense the high is. Sadly, for the person suffering with a cocaine addiction, the shorter the high lasts.

Cocaine addiction facts and statistics

The prolonged use of cocaine over an extended period of time can cause a number of different side effects such delusions, hallucinations, heart disease, and paranoia that stems from cocaine psychosis. The following facts and statistics clearly indicate how serious of a drug and public health threat that cocaine is:

•  1 out of every 4 individuals between 26 and 34 years of age have used cocaine at least once in their lives
•   cocaine is the most widely available and used drug in the US, second only to marijuana and recently having replaced amphetamines for second place
•   nearly 10% of all seniors in high school have admitted to using cocaine while they were in high school
•   roughly 1.5 million Americans are using cocaine at least once a month, a number that has remained nearly unchanged for the last 10 years
•   there are over 15,000 deaths occurring ever year resulting from cocaine use and overdose
•   there are over 600,000 Americans today that are addicted to crack cocaine

Cocaine addiction has also led to a significant increase in the number of admissions into numerous addiction rehab centers in the US and why so many cocaine rehab programs have been implemented at these addiction treatment and recovery facilities over the past couple of decades.

The warning signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), roughly 6 million individuals that are 12 years old or older have used cocaine at least once while another 1.5 million have tried crack at least one time in the prior year. Of all the individuals currently suffering with cocaine addiction, roughly 50% of them need professional help immediately. Unfortunately, only about 10% of them will actually get the professional help they are in need of.

The physical warning signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction will vary from one person to the next. However, there are a number of specific warning signs and symptoms that are common to every individual. These include:

•  anxiety and panic attacks
•   constantly runny nose
•   criminal activity or unacceptable behavior
•   drop in grades
•   easily aggravated or increased irritability
•   inability to sleep or stay asleep (insomnia)
•   job loss or poor performance at work
•   nausea and vomiting
•   pupil dilation

The signs of cocaine addiction are oftentimes difficult to recognize, especially for those parents of adolescents and teenagers who may not be familiar with the drug and the effects of it.

How cocaine addiction progresses

Initially, cocaine addiction may go unnoticed to the uninformed individual although there are a number of the warning signs or symptoms listed above that become apparent. There may be a broad range of side effects that the first-time user experiences which can range from insomnia to talking excessively. Being an appetite suppressant as well, cocaine addiction usually leads to significant weight loss, another one of the long-term effects that the drug is responsible for.

As the addiction progresses and becomes more sever, the user’s behavior will oftentimes indicate that there is a significant problem. Usually, when cocaine addiction is taking control of the individual, the person becomes totally focused on maintaining their supply of the drug. They will even participate in criminal behavior in order to get more of the drug including stealing money from family members and close personal friends. In so many words, they will stop at nothing to get more of the drug if they are craving it.

Getting the professional help you need

When you or a loved one has gotten to the point where cocaine addiction is controlling your lives, it is time to get the professional help that only an addiction treatment and recovery center can provide you with. The Delray Recovery Center would like to talk to you or your loved one regarding our 5-Phase Step Down Model or Strength to Change programs to help you overcome your cocaine addiction. Please contact us today at the toll-free phone number listed above for more information regarding our facility and programs.