What Is Cocaine

Cocaine is an addictive alkaloid derived from the leaves of the coca plant, native to South America. It is a central nervous system stimulant that alters the brain's production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It is a very commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Processed cocaine is sold as a white crystalline powder and often mixed with other substances such as flour, sugar or starch. Crack cocaine is available in the form of chunks or rock which is either off-white or pink colored. Some street names of cocaine are crack, dust, rock, dust, snow, etc., among others.

The coca plant is a shrub that grows in altitudes between 500 and 1500 m in the tropical forests of the Andes. The coca leaves that are harvested throughout the year are dried and sent to the laboratory. About 150 kg of leaves are converted to one kg of dry paste. This is then converted to crystalline cocaine hydrochloride.

Whereas the cocaine base called crack is smoked, crystalline cocaine hydrochloride is sniffed, injected or snorted. Cocaine is also used along with a number of other drugs for varied effects. Cocaine and heroin are mixed and injected together to produce 'speedballing'. Cocaine and marijuana are mixed together to form champagne.

Coca leaves have been chewed and ingested for thousands of years; crystalline cocaine hydrochloride has been in use for more than one hundred years. Cocaine is classified as a drug that has a high potential for abuse. However, doctors can administer cocaine for medical and anesthetic uses.

Short-term effects of cocaine

The effects of cocaine set in within 15 to 20 minutes after it has been snorted. The effects die down after a few hours. Ingesting low doses of cocaine induces feelings of euphoria, heightened alertness, increased self-esteem and heightened sensory perceptions. Cocaine also reduces the need for sleep and food and induces mood and behavior changes.

When cocaine is smoked large amounts of the drug reach the brain very quickly and produce intense flash highs. The 3- to 5-minute high is followed by a low. To extend the high, the user takes more quantity of the drug. This also increases the craving for the drug as the active ingredient is present in larger amounts in the bloodstream. This cycle leads to addiction.

Slurred speech, confusion, anxiety, and other psychological problems are risks associated with using the drug.

Long-term effects of cocaine

Continued use of cocaine constricts and damages the blood vessels in the body. This can trigger a heart attack. It is also known to cause arrhythmia. Repeated use of cocaine is seen to adversely affect the brain. Seizures may set in that may even cause the heart to stop beating.

Regular use of cocaine prompts the user to take more quantities of the drug to get the same highs. The body thus develops more tolerance towards the drug.

Physical withdrawal of the drug after prolonged usage of cocaine creates many unpleasant effects that include sleep disturbances, intense cravings for the drug, irritability, muscle spasms, severe depression, etc.

Addiction to cocaine is difficult to treat without professional help. First, the body is flushed of the drug that is present. This is then followed by medication that is used to treat the depression that occurs on withdrawal. Group and individual counseling is then attempted to effect behavioral changes in the individual.