An overview of cocaine

In medical and scientific terms, cocaine is known as a crystalline tropane alkaloid and is taken from the coca plant’s leaves. It is best known as an appetite suppressant, a central nervous system stimulant, and a topical anesthetic. During the latter 20th century, cocaine experienced a dramatic rise in popularity, especially during the 1970’s. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, crack cocaine (the freebase form) appeared on the streets of the impoverished neighborhoods of Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.

Today, the two forms of cocaine are viewed by the DEA as one of the primary drug threats in the US today. Additionally, health officials and medical professionals agree that cocaine and crack addiction are serious public health threats as there tens of thousands of ER visits reported annually that are associated with cocaine abuse, addiction, and dependency. Deaths due to overdose and other serious medical conditions are very common among cocaine and crack users.

Facts and information about cocaine and crack

Cocaine is one of the most powerfully addictive drugs on the streets today and cocaine withdrawal symptoms are very common when an individual enters and addiction treatment and recovery center and undergoes detox to cleanse their bodies of the substance. The following is some important facts and information regarding cocaine and crack that you should be aware of if you are currently using either substance:

•  Abuse, addiction, and dependency became a significant problem in the US literally overnight once people realized the intense euphoric effects that the drug creates.

•  At one time, cocaine was considered to be harmless and was even listed as one of the primary ingredients in the original Coca-Cola that was first placed on the market.
•  Cocaine is one of the most highly addictive drugs sold on the streets today. Even after a brief period of abuse, the cravings for more of the drug can be intense.
•  Crack cocaine became extremely popular due to how rapidly it created euphoria by entering the bloodstream through the lungs as it was smoked.
•  Individuals who have suffer with heart conditions or have elevated blood pressure an issue are putting themselves at greater risk by using cocaine because it increases one’s blood pressure and causes a rapid heart rate. It is linked with blockage of the arteries and puts individuals at high risk of developing heart disease.
•  Past research indicates that the long-term use of cocaine and crack greatly inhibits the individual’s ability to make sound decisions as well as affecting their memorizing capabilities and/or their ability to remember basic facts.
•  The euphoria or “high” mentioned above typically subsides within 20 to 30 minutes. These feelings are typically replaced by anxiety and then a desire to ingest more of the drug.

Additionally, medical and scientific research studies have proven that pregnant women who use cocaine have the tendency to give birth to infants with a lower birth weight, shorter bodies, and smaller heads.

Problems associated with cocaine

In addition to all of the above facts, there is a variety of problems that can arise with the prolonged use of cocaine. These are typically divided into two categories namely short-term and long-term effects. The more common short-term effects include constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, euphoria, and an increase in body temperature. During that period of euphoria that exists, the person experiences hypertension, mental alertness, and reduced fatigue.

However, there is also the possibility of experiencing anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. When cocaine is used repeatedly (a.k.a. cocaine binging) irritability, paranoia, and restlessness are not uncommon. The individual can experience periods of auditory hallucinations, a disconnection with reality, and paranoid psychosis as well.

In addition to the short-term effects, prolonged cocaine use can have serious health consequences and serious long-term effects including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting; chest pain, heart attack, and irregular heartbeat; headaches and seizures; malnutrition; respiratory failure; and stroke.

Detox and withdrawal

The first stage involved in any cocaine addiction treatment and recovery program is detox. During this stage, the individual is able to rid their bodies of the toxins and residues that resulted from their addiction to or dependency on cocaine. This is also when the individual is most likely going to experience some unpleasant cocaine withdrawal symptoms. The most common ones that the individual is likely to experience are:

• appetite dysfunction
• bad dreams or nightmares
• depression
• fatigue
• restlessness
• suicidal thoughts

Depending on the severity of the individual’s addiction or dependency, cocaine withdrawal symptoms can last up to several months. Interestingly enough, the above list does not contain a number of the physical withdrawal symptoms that are typical during heroin addiction or dependency detox. At one time, medical professionals questioned how addictive cocaine was because of the lack of these physical withdrawal symptoms.

What should be done in order to treat cocaine withdrawal symptoms?

The first step should be getting professional help by entering an in-patient cocaine addiction treatment and recovery program. If you do not have the financial means or insurance coverage to pay for an in-patient program, there is always out-patient therapy for cocaine abuse, addiction, and dependency. Although there is a slightly greater risk of relapsing since you are allowed to return home in the evenings, these programs are known to have worked for many individuals.

Discuss getting a prescription for a benzodiazepine such as Valium to help relieve cocaine withdrawal symptoms. According to NIDA (the National Institute on Drug Abuse), there is no medicinal cure for cocaine addiction. However, there are those medications that will help the individual to be more comfortable during detox and when dealing with withdrawal. Drugs such as Propranolol help to ease the anxiety or withdrawal and reduce the cravings for cocaine.

Additionally, anti-depressants can help with an individual’s mood swings when they are experiencing cocaine withdrawal symptoms. Although Disulfiram is primarily used to treat alcohol withdrawal, it does help with cocaine withdrawal. If you would like more information on an effective detox program and learn more about cocaine withdrawal, please contact Blue Water Detox today at the toll-free number above