Cocaine is a highly addictive drug. Use of it affects the neurons in a person’s brain by stimulating dopamine receptors, which causes a “feel good” response. Frequent use of this drug, as with any other drug, causes a state known as addiction. Addiction is the ability of a drug to control behavior and it’s ability to increase physical dependency.
Cocaine works by:
“Cocaine raises the amount of dopamine and serotonin in the nucleus accumbens; the "crash" experienced after the initial high is marked by an undershooting of normal levels afterwards. This is because neurons run out of dopamine and serotonin neurotransmittors. Receptors disappear as a response mechanism to too much neurotransmitter. This contributes to the rise in an abuser's tolerance thus requiring a larger dosage to achieve the same effect. The lack of normal amounts of serotonin and dopamine in the brain is the cause of the dysphoria and depression felt after the initial high. The diagnostic criteria for cocaine withdrawal is characterized by a dysphoric mood, fatigue, unpleasant dreams, insomnia or hypersomnia, increased appetite, psychomotor retardation or agitation, and anxiety.” (Cocaine, Wikipedia…)
Cocaine abuse is a very widespread problem.
http://www.coolnurse.com/images/coke-chart.gif∞ As you can see, cocaine related emergency room visits has been on the rise. In 1998, there were almost 100,000 more cocaine related emergency room visits than there were in 1990. Cocaine is being smuggled into the United States at an alarming volume. In 2000, the U.S federal authorities seized over 107 metric tons of cocaine, and in 2001 the feds seized over 111 metric tons of cocaine. Of the 111 metric tons total, 17 tons were seized at once on board the fishing boat Svesda Maru.
Cocaine use has a lot of negative consequences. The most extreme risks of cocaine use include overdose and heart attacks. After the first hour of using cocaine, your chance for having a heart attack multiplies by 24 times. Also, cocaine causes nearly one quarter of all heart attacks of persons aged 18 to 45. Users of cocaine, even if they quit, will experience a heart attack rate of 7 times that of someone who never used cocaine.
Different usage of cocaine has different consequences. Cocaine users who smoke the drug often experience lung and throat problems, as well as aching, flu-like symptoms. Users who snort the drug often experience damage to their nasal cavities as well as a constant running or bleeding nose. Users who inject the drug often experience the most cardiovascular disease and overdose.
Cocaine also causes some less deadly, but also unpleasant effects. It can make you irritable, violent, paranoid, it can cause you to shake or tremble, and also costs a lot of money. Not only can cocaine hurt you, but also cocaine is illegal. If you are caught using or possessing cocaine, there is a potential for jail time and fines. The penalties are much higher for selling the drug, or for smuggling it across the border.
