Cocaine Dependence is clinically strikingly similar to amphetamine dependence but, although strong psychic dependence on cocaine occurs, neither tolerance to, nor physical dependence on, cocaine develops. Cocaine sensitizes adrenergic receptors by preventing the uptake of the catecholamines by the adrenergic nerves and by interfering with the degradation of the catecholamines by monoamine oxidase. Intoxication with cocaine causes signs of marked adrenergic stimulation. Cocaine has powerful excitant effects in the central nervous system that may also depend on changes in catecholamines.
There are two kinds of abuse of cocaine: the chewing of the coca leaf and the use of the pure alkaloid. Chewing of coca is limited to South America, where the coca leaves are masticated with lime. In the United States, the pure drug is used as a snuff or, more frequently, is taken intravenously in combination with heroin or morphine (“the speed ball”).
Clinical Manifestations About Cocaine Dependence :
Two kinds of signs and symptoms occur: those attributable to peripheral adrenergic stimulation include pupillary dilatation, sweating, tachycardia, gooseflesh, .hypertension, and increased temperature. The central nervous system manifestations are particularly marked if cocaine is taken intravenously. The users experience short-lived ecstatic sensations and take injections at short intervals until their supply is exhausted or a toxic psychosis supervenes. As the dose is repeated, insomnia, anxiety, increased startle responses, and increased muscle stretch reflexes appear.
Finally, a paranoid psychosis with delusions and optical hallucinations ensues. Cocaine users frequently think that they are being watched by the police (“bull horrors”) and, in this state, are dangerous. When the effects become too frightening, users frequently take heroin or morphine as an antidote to the cocaine.
11 Dangerous Effects of Cocaine on the Body That You Should Know
Cocaine is a type of drug that can cause addictive effects. So, why is cocaine dangerous? Cocaine becomes dangerous when it has experienced these effects, users will feel the urge to continue using the illegal drug.
This illegal drug will affect the nervous system in the brain. That way, the user will be happy, energetic, talkative and more confident in a short time.
In addition, the effects of cocaine can also significantly affect mood and relieve pain and fatigue. However, these effects only last for a short time, about 30 minutes to 3 hours.
If you stop using it, the user will experience withdrawal symptoms. The effects that can occur include mental disorders, such as depression, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and behavioral changes that can lead to violence.
Not only that, this illegal drug can also have a number of adverse effects on various body organ functions. Here are the dangers of cocaine to health, namely:
1. Triggers increased risk of stress
Cocaine use can also affect the brain’s pathways in responding to stress. Reporting from a Neuropharmacology journal entitled Neurobiological Mechanisms That Contribute to Stress-related Cocaine Use , there is a study through animals on the effects of cocaine use on stress levels.
The results showed that animals that consumed cocaine showed behavior in response to stress. In addition, the more cocaine they consumed, the higher the stress level and affected their behavior.
This research suggests that cocaine can increase stress hormones and induce neural adaptations that can increase sensitivity to the drug and its associated cues.
Not only cocaine, marijuana is one type of narcotic that also causes harmful effects on the body. Find out here the effects: 11 Dangerous Effects of Marijuana on Body Health .
2. Lung disorders
Snorting cocaine through the nose can cause damage to the mucous membranes that pass through the sinus cavities, leading to the throat and upper respiratory system. As a result, users are at risk of experiencing runny noses, nosebleeds, and loss of smell.
In addition, using this illegal drug by smoking it like a cigarette can also be dangerous for lung health. This method of drug use can irritate the lungs, make them susceptible to infection, and even cause permanent damage.
3. Increase the transmission of infectious diseases
Reporting from the National Institute on Drug Abuse with the title Cocaine Research Report , cocaine users who use injection needles are at high risk of increasing the transmission of infectious diseases.
There are various diseases that they are at risk of transmitting, such as HIV and hepatitis C. This habit can also cause the appearance of severe allergy symptoms and trigger death.
4. Brain health disorders
This illegal drug can interfere with brain function, one of which is the production of the hormone dopamine. This hormone is a chemical compound that plays a role in conveying stimuli throughout the body. As a result, various symptoms can appear, such as seizures and body movement disorders such as tremors.
In addition, this type of drug can also cause consistent narrowing of blood vessels, so that the amount of oxygen received by the brain will be reduced.
It can cause brain damage. Users are also at increased risk of developing an aneurysm, due to damage to the walls of the blood vessels that feed the brain.
Cocaine can also cause aging of the brain, increasing the risk of dementia. Long-term memory problems can develop into conditions that resemble Alzheimer’s.
5. Risk to heart health
The use of narcotics is also dangerous for heart health, namely increasing heart rate and blood pressure, and narrowing the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. If not treated immediately, it can trigger heart attacks and arrhythmias that threaten the safety of users.
6. Triggers digestive tract disorders
The use of narcotics can also cause many dangerous effects on the digestive tract, one of which is narrowing of the blood vessels to the digestive organs.
This causes reduced blood flow to several organs including the stomach and intestines, which can cause indirect damage over time.
Short-term side effects of drug abuse include stomach upset, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Over time, these side effects become more permanent, indicating necrotic bowel or the death of vital tissue in the digestive system.
People who struggle with cocaine abuse are also more likely to develop ulcers due to changes in stomach pH. In addition, the drug can also lead to the development of ischemic colitis, which is inflammation and injury to the colon. This condition can cause serious digestive problems and even death.
Also learn more about: Understanding Drugs and Their 9 Impacts on Health
7. Triggers kidney damage
Drug addiction can damage the kidneys in two ways. First, it permanently increases blood pressure which causes kidney damage. The kidneys are one of the organs that are very susceptible to damage due to lack of oxygen and pressure.
Second, long-term cocaine abuse also causes rhabdomyolysis, a muscle tissue disorder that releases damaging proteins into the blood. As a result, these proteins will flood the liver and kidneys and cause kidney failure.
8. Triggers liver disorders
Long-term addiction also increases the risk of overdose. It can cause liver injury, as the body is flooded with toxins that the organ cannot filter. However, by knowing first aid for drug overdose, you can help save the life of a user.
9. Decreased appetite
A person who consumes cocaine can experience a decrease in appetite. Of course, this causes disruption to daily nutritional intake.
If not treated properly, the impact of decreased appetite can cause someone to experience malnutrition. Of course, this can be at risk of increasing various types of diseases in the body.
10. Triggers fertility disorders
For women or men who use cocaine, this condition can cause reproductive health problems. This condition can trigger fertility problems.
The cocaine you use can enter the bloodstream and cause disorders in the egg and sperm cells. This causes the quality of the egg and sperm cells to decrease.
11. Mental health disorders
If you stop using it, the user will experience withdrawal symptoms. The effects that can occur include mental disorders such as depression, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and behavioral changes that can lead to violence.
However, if used too often, this illegal drug can cause the user to experience hallucinations, paranoia, panic, irritability, anxiety, and violence.
Those are some of the dangerous effects of cocaine on the body. For teenagers, these are the effects of drugs that could happen: These are the Negative Impacts of Drug Use on the Younger Generation .
Forms of Cocaine Abuse
There are two forms of cocaine abuse, namely:
- Free base
This is the purest form of cocaine because there are no other substances added. It is in crystal form and is usually used by heating it to produce smoke and then inhaling it.
- Powdered cocaine
This type of illegal drug is in the form of a fine white powder, often mixed with sugar, cornstarch, vitamins, or flour. This type is usually enjoyed by sucking or inhaling it through the nose, injecting it into the blood vessels, or even rubbing it on the gums.