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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Cocaine is an incredibly powerful, addictive central nervous system stimulant that’s often sold in powdered or crystalline formats. It’s derived from the leaves of the coca plant – enhancing the effects of dopamine, a chemical found in the brain. This leads to a feeling of increased energy and power for those using it. Many individuals who use cocaine report feeling a euphoric and pleasurable sensation following the use of the substance. Quitting Cocaine is not easy. So what are the side effects of usage? There are many dangerous side effects that can result in long-term damage to the body, including but not limited to the following:
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Rapid heart rate
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Fast breathing
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Severe anxiety
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High blood pressure
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Excessive panic
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Increased aggression
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Hallucinations
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Tremors
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Delirium
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Seizures
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Impaired judgment
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Trouble sleeping
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Cardiac arrest
Statistics show that roughly 25% of individuals who use cocaine on a recreational basis will eventually develop an addiction. Typically, those who are addicted to the substance will remain in a state of denial for quite a while. This is because it’s a commonly used drug, and for many, the addiction develops over time. They don’t see it coming until they realize they’re not in control of their usage the way they once were.
Facts about Cocaine: Appearance, Tolerance, and Withdrawal
Cocaine can be found in a variety of formats, including powder and crystalline. The availability of highly biologically active forms, such as crack cocaine, has led to an even worse problem of cocaine addiction around the world. Typically, cocaine is approximately 45 to 60% pure – meaning there’s a high amount of fillers and contaminants found in the substance. These may include:
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Glucose
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Sucrose
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Ritalin
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Lidocaine
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Talc
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Benzocaine
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Procaine
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Tetracaine
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And much more
Most cocaine is snorted, but it may also be injected, or when made into crack cocaine, smoked. The onset of effect will differ depending on the method of usage:
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Injection and/or smoking: onset will be immediate with peak effect after 3-5 minutes.
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Oral use: onset will take approximately 10 minutes with peak effect after 25 minutes.
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Intranasal use: onset will take roughly 10 minutes with peak effect after an hour.
As cocaine has a short-lasting power, many users will smoke or inject the substance multiple times a day. Tolerance to cocaine builds fast – leaving users wanting larger amounts of the substance more often to get the same impact. When a user starts coming down from cocaine, the withdrawal symptoms tend to be highly psychological, such as:
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Slowed thinking and/or activity
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Difficulty concentrating
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Physical fatigue
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Restlessness
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Exhaustion
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Depression or anxiety
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Suicidal thoughts
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Inability to feel pleasure or sexual arousal
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Vivid nightmares/dreams
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Physical symptoms, such as muscle aches, tremors, etc.
How Does Addiction to Cocaine Happen?
Cocaine is addictive for physical and psychological reasons. First and foremost, the brain and body start to become adjusted to the chemical changes that occur throughout usage. This is why withdrawal symptoms happen when an individual starts coming down from the substance. On a psychological level, cocaine fulfills a range of needs – from feeling more outgoing in social situations to having a more positive outlook to overcoming feelings of inadequacy and everything in between.
What Can Cocaine Addicts Do to Quit Using the Substance?
Most cocaine addicts are nervous about learning to cope without the energetic, positive high they get from using cocaine. In addition, they may also fear losing friends they’ve made through bonding about the drug and/or using it together. Most of all, most cocaine addicts dread the withdrawal process. As mentioned above, there are quite a few symptoms when it comes to withdrawal. The process can be uncomfortable and frightening. It’s important to remember the reasons behind quitting, but aside from that, here’s a few tips:
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Fuel your body with healthy meals that ensure proper nutrition
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Reach out for support from friends and family whenever necessary
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Drink enough water to flush out toxins as fast as possible
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Get regular exercise to help increase endorphins
Ultimately, it’s best to work with a trained professional who knows what to look for when it comes to quitting cocaine. They will keep an eye out for rare, dangerous signs during the withdrawal process. They will also provide support and/or meetings to help the cocaine addict remain sober after they’ve detoxed. It’s often difficult to avoid temptation, and for many cocaine addicts, relapse is common. The right trained professional can help individuals identify and avoid triggers that may lead to relapsing.
There are many types of recovery programs available to suit the needs of any cocaine addict. This may include:
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Inpatient or residential rehab programs wherein the addict completes treatment in a safe, supportive place – from initial detox to medical monitoring and everything in betwee