Cocaine

Cocaine is a very addictive drug that makes the user feel euphoric and energized. It is one of the oldest drugs known and has been abused in its current form for more than 100 years while cocoa leaves (the source of cocaine) have been ingested for thousands of years.

The pure chemical, cocaine hydrochloride, was first extracted from the leaf of the cocoa bush which grows wild in Peru and Bolivia. It was still legal to use it in the 1900's and it was commonly included as an ingredient in many of the quack tonics and elixirs sold at the time. Cocaine is still used medicinally and can be administered as a local anesthetic.

Cocaine has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase". The salt presents as a fine white powder. It can be dissolved in water and injected, snorted up the nose, or rubbed onto the gums. The freebase form of cocaine is known on the street as 'crack' and is smokeable.

Health Effects

Health problems that arise from cocaine include heart attacks, strokes, seizeures, and respiratory failure. Death can result from any of these. Using large amounts of cocaine can cause bizarre and violent behaviour.

Users develop tolerance for cocaine and eventually find that they are unable to feel pleasure without cocaine. Research into cocaine addiction treatment suggests that chronic cocaine use can permanently impair the functioning of the dopamine system.

Effects

Cocaine is a dopamine agonist which means that it stimulates the effect of this neurotransmitter. It does so by creating an artificial buildup of dopamine in the synapse by preventing the reuptake of dopamine. The ventral tegmental area is particularly associated with cocaine use. Cells originating in this area project to the pleasure centers of the brain.

Cocaine is very quick acting and its effects are produced rapidly after taking a dose. They disappear within minutes or hours. Small amounts (up to 100mg) leave the user feeling euphoric, energetic, talkative, and mentally alert. Some people report that cocaine helps them to function intellectually, while others say that tasks are harder to complete.

The short-term physiological effects of cocaine include constricted blood vessels; dilated pupils; and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Treatment

Behavioural treatment in a drug rehabilitation clinic has been shown to be effective for cocaine addiction. This works for residential treatment programs and outpatient approaches. There is currently no viable medication to address cocaine addiction and so behavioural approaches are often the only available approach. There is ongoing investigation into finding such a medication.

A drug rehab program should provide holistic care that is tailored to the individuals needs. In order to prevent relapse triggers should be addressed.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is another commonly employed approach in drug rehab to treating cocaine addiction. This approach to substance abuse treatment seeks to teach the patient new ways of coping with triggers in order to prevent relapse.

If you would like help in finding a detox clinic or addiction treatment program please contact We Do Recover.

Additional Resources

• Crack House Research is a research report on prostitution in relation to crack cocaine.
• NIDA Research Report: Cocaine Abuse and Addiction is a review report by NIDA about cocaine
• Cocaine Abuse and Addiction is a NIDA report on the effects and prevalence of cocaine use.
• Cocaine: The First Decade is a statistical report on cocaine prepared by the Rand Corporation.
• Facts About Cocaine prepared by the Canadian Addiction Research Foundation.