Cocaine is a stimulant drug derived from coca plant leaves . It enhances the effects of a brain chemical called dopamine, leading to a sense of increased energy and power. The increased impact of dopamine also causes the euphoric and pleasurable sensation of a “high” on cocaine. Your body works as at an increased rate with the strain caused by overstimulation from cocaine, which can cause side effects , including : Alertness Excitation Restlessness Irritability Anxiety Paranoia Irregular heartbeat Heart attack Sudden cardiac arrest Seizures Stroke Death

What Are Some of The Effects of Cocaine Addiction?

Cocaine addiction can cause several negative effects that ripple through a person’s life. Some of these effects are physical, including insomnia , feeling shaky , poor memory and even death . Other effects of cocaine addiction are indirect but still harm a person’s quality of life, like a negative impact on your social life , career and loved ones. Some cocaine addiction effects will become obvious right away, while others may take longer to become noticeable. Short-Term Effects Even in the short term, a struggle with cocaine can have obvious negative consequences on your life. These include both the drug’s physical side effects and changes in your behavior. Some of these short-term side effects are : Loss of interest in things that once gave pleasure Mood changes Hygiene problems Low mood Sleep problems Interpersonal problems Problems with work, school or the law Long-Term Effects Over the long term, the effects of a cocaine addiction can become even more pronounced, reflecting the toll that cocaine abuse can take on the body . People who snort cocaine can develop nasal problems like loss of smell and nasal damage, while those who smoke cocaine can develop lung disease. Bleeding in the brain and neuromuscular diseases like Parkinson’s Disease can also occur with long-term cocaine abuse. The brain often becomes desensitized to feel-good stimuli, a change that can lead to a decrease in mood and make it harder to feel happy. When the body becomes used to the presence of cocaine, a phenomenon called tolerance, higher and more frequent doses may be needed to achieve previous results. Higher doses are more toxic than lower doses, so a person may be more likely to have side effects like seizures after a dose.

What Are Common Cocaine Nicknames and Street Names?

There are several common nicknames and street names for cocaine. Many of these names are based on the white, flaky appearance of cocaine. These names may include : Bernice Blow Bump Coke Crack Dust Flake Line Nose Candy Rail Rock Schneef Sneeze Sniff Snow Snow White Toot White Yayo

How Is Cocaine Abuse Diagnosed?

Cocaine abuse must be diagnosed by a licensed doctor who will consider a variety of individual factors. Ultimately, the doctor will likely use several criteria out of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) to evaluate if you have a cocaine addiction. Typically, diagnosis depends on having at least two of the following criteria : Hazardous cocaine use Social or interpersonal problems related to cocaine use Neglected major responsibilities to use cocaine Experiencing withdrawal symptoms Developing a tolerance Using larger amounts Repeated attempts to quit or control cocaine use Excessive time spent using cocaine Physical or psychological problems related to cocaine use Activities replaced by cocaine use Cravings Everyone’s addiction is unique, and it ultimately requires individual assessment by a doctor to diagnose someone with cocaine addiction.

How Can I Tell If Someone is On Cocaine?

People using cocaine will show characteristic signs of use . Cocaine use has symptoms that are physical, mental and emotional. Physical signs and symptoms of cocaine use are: Large dilated pupils Headaches and migraines Hoarseness Impotence Increased body temperature Nausea Rapid heartbeat Bloody nose or running nose Sniffing Stomach pain Twitching or shaking Cocaine use also has psychological or behavioral side effects. At first, these side effects may be easier to notice than physical side effects. Psychological side effects include: Anxiety Bursts of elevated mood and euphoria Emotional swings Hallucinations High energy levels Hypersomnia (oversleeping) Insomnia (trouble sleeping) Irritability Lethargy and introversion Loss of appetite Paranoia Short attention span The presence of drug paraphernalia is a clear indicator of drug use. Cocaine can be ingested in a few different ways, including snorting through the nostrils, injecting or smoking cocaine. Glass or metal pipes, butane lighters, straws or rolled-up paper tubes, razor blades and needles are examples of objects involved with cocaine use.

What Are Some Symptoms of Cocaine Overdose?

ocaine overdose can occur when you take high doses of cocaine, impacting multiple organs in the body. A cocaine overdose is considered a medical emergency and can be fatal. Symptoms of a cocaine overdose include: Loss of urine control High body temperature Severe sweating High blood pressure Very fast heart rate or irregular heartbeat Bluish skin Fast breathing Seizures Unconsciousness Death

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