Cocaine Dependence
Cocaine Dependence
Cocaine Dependence
Cocaine dependence is a form of physical and psychological dependence that develops from regular cocaine use, with the user taking more and more in the belief it will help them to function properly. Withdrawal states include emotional-motivational deficits and high-level cravings. People with cocaine dependence can also develop tolerance, needing increased amounts of the drug to achieve the desired effect or “hit.”
Cocaine is a highly addictive, potent stimulant due to its effect on the reward pathways in the brain. It acts by increasing the number of feel-good chemicals in the brain such as dopamine and serotonin.
Cocaine dependence leads to numerous psychiatric and legal issues, personality changes, and an obsession with having “enough” cocaine at the expense of any other job, school, or relational activity or relationship.
Cocaine is commonly snorted, inhaled as smoke, rubbed on the gums, or dissolved and injected into a vein. Effects usually begin within seconds to minutes of use and last between 5 to 30 minutes. Street names include blow, crack, coke, snow, and rock; and might come mixed with talcum powder, flour, or cornstarch to appear more substantial.
Prevalence
Cocaine usage by 18- to 25-year-olds is increasing every year — up 61% in 2015 compared to 2013 numbers and causing related deaths to rise as well. 2015 numbers show approx. 5% of young adults are cocaine users.
Effects of Cocaine use
Mental and behavioral effects (long and short term) may include:
Physical effects may include:
Risk Factors for Cocaine use:
Many habitual abusers of cocaine develop physical and psychotic symptoms and long-term psychiatric disorders such as:
These symptoms can last for weeks or, in some cases, even months.
When drug use suddenly stops, the user will experience cocaine withdrawal, comedown, or crash. The symptoms of this include irritability, depression, anxiety, exhaustion, generalized aches and pains, nausea, vomiting, lashing out in anger, insomnia or hypersomnia, increased appetite, vivid and unpleasant dreams, brain to body action retardation or agitation, and compulsive cravings.
Causes of Cocaine dependence:
Cocaine dependence often coexists with other mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder and suicidal behavior.
Cocaine dependence can cause impairment in functioning in social, academic, and work settings; and it can negatively affect interpersonal relationships. A person with cocaine dependence may amass huge amounts of debt to fund their addiction.
Cocaine use complications:
Complications of cocaine use include heart attacks, strokes, and sudden death from cardiac arrest. Those who smoke it can experience severe lung problems.
There is also the increased risk of acquiring blood-borne viruses such as HIV in users who inject and share needles.
Treatment for Cocaine Dependence:
A person with cocaine dependence can receive help from:
Effects of Cocaine use:
Mental and behavioral effects (long and short term) may include:
Physical effects may include:
Risk Factors for Cocaine use:
Many habitual abusers of cocaine develop physical and psychotic symptoms and long-term psychiatric disorders such as:
These symptoms can last for weeks or, in some cases, even months.
When drug use suddenly stops, the user will experience cocaine withdrawal, comedown, or crash. The symptoms of this include irritability, depression, anxiety, exhaustion, generalized aches and pains, nausea, vomiting, lashing out in anger, insomnia or hypersomnia, increased appetite, vivid and unpleasant dreams, brain to body action retardation or agitation, and compulsive cravings.
Causes of Cocaine use:
Cocaine dependence often coexists with other mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder and suicidal behavior.
Cocaine dependence can cause impairment in functioning in social, academic, and work settings; and it can negatively affect interpersonal relationships. A person with cocaine dependence may amass huge amounts of debt to fund their addiction.
Cocaine use complications:
Complications of cocaine use include heart attacks, strokes, and sudden death from cardiac arrest. Those who smoke it can experience severe lung problems.
There is also the increased risk of acquiring blood-borne viruses such as HIV in users who inject and share needles.