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How Cocaine Affects The Human Body

The coca plant, native to South America, can be prepared in a way that produces a powerful central nervous stimulant and topical anesthetic known as cocaine. The most popular methods of using cocaine are inhaling it into the nose (insufflating) and injecting it into the bloodstream. Another form of cocaine, called crack or freebase, is smoked. This creates a far more powerful high that only lasts a short while.

Short-Term Effects of Cocaine Use

Psychologically, cocaine causes a myriad of effects, all of which are dependent on the user and the user's tolerance to the drug. Cocaine is often used as a party drug because it causes euphoria and extreme happiness. Other effects of the drug increase its popularity with party goers. One of these effects lowers fatigue and weariness, making cocaine perfect for dancing into all hours of the night. Like amphetamines, some use cocaine as a fuel for their work, helping them to concentrate and stay awake and therefore work more productively for much longer periods of time.

After large amounts of cocaine have been consumed, an individual's behavior may change in many different ways. People on cocaine, particularly high doses, are often irritable and irrational. Hallucinations can occur, as well as intense feelings of paranoia. These factors all lead to aggressive, violent, and antisocial behaviors. In addition to its adverse psychological effects, cocaine takes quite the toll on the human body, particularly the circulatory system. As cocaine is introduced to the body, pupils begin to dilate and perspiration may take place. A loss of appetite and decreased desire to sleep takes place. Heart rate increases, as well as blood pressure. When coupled with the rigorous physical activity that often goes hand in hand with cocaine usage, the risk of stroke, heart attack, and seizures increases. People who are sensitive to stimulants or have risk of any of these things happening should not under any circumstances use cocaine.

Compared to opiate withdrawal, withdrawal from cocaine is not nearly as dangerous to the user, although it is in no way a walk in the park. Cessation of cocaine abuse can lead to paranoid thoughts, loss of sexual drive, suicidal tendencies, and an overall sense of apathy. These symptoms are enough to tempt users to use cocaine just to get rid of them, and this self-medication often leads to a cycle of abuse, addiction, and eventually a dependency on the drug.

Cocaine's Long-Term Effects

The long-term risks of using cocaine are basically more serious versions of the short-term effects. Extreme restlessness and anxiety lead to a barrage of paranoid thoughts and violent mood changes. Insomnia is also common among regular cocaine users, as cocaine prevents the user from being able to sleep. This inability to fall asleep, combined with the other effects of cocaine can lead to dangerous weight loss while on the drug. When using cocaine by snorting it into the nose, health problems associated with insufflation can occur.

Although cocaine may seem like an innocent party drug, this is not the case. Nobody likes to party with a paranoid drug user who may at any time become delusional and violent. Not only that, but partying too much while on cocaine can lead to death from heart attack, stroke, or overheating of the body. This, combined with cocaine's addictive properties, makes it a very dangerous drug to abuse.

By: Chris Channing

Learn more about Crack Addiction and Cocaine Addiction.

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