Cocaine Pathophysiology

First of all this research paper will examine the history of cocaine, answer exactly who used it, effects of the drug and its addictive nature. People choose to write about cocaine so that others can clearly see and understand its historical origins and dangerous properties. Those who experiment with drugs should become aware of their dangerous effects and take caution. The more people that become knowledgeable about cocaine, the more they can protect themselves from seriously endangering themselves. Cocaine users that are seriously dependent on the drug can seek treatment and rehabilitate. Most cocaine users do not realize they have a problem until it becomes too late. Much like the alcoholic, a cocaine dependent’s body

Irritability, restlessness, insomnia and paranoia replace the euphoria. Physically, the long- term user will lose interest in sex and lose weight. Those who snort the drug wear out their nasal septum while those who inject it risk the chance of contracting hepatitis or AIDS. Cocaine related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest. Over time, to the user's tolerance, the drug will build. To achieve the same effects as that of early usage requires larger doses of the drug. The user becomes psychologically dependent. The drug becomes pivotal to their thoughts, feelings and their daily activities. "Cocaine just made you feel really good. Then after you get done feeling really good then you start to get a Superman ego and that's the beginning of the end." ("Drug Wars"; A Frontline, PBS Production) Often times, cocaine addicts develop an illicit lifestyle to keep up with their drug habit. Cocaine's influence leads a user to stealing from family, friends and even employers. The lifestyle of addicts becomes as corrupt as the organizations that produce and supply the product.

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug that has become increasingly prevalent due to its rewarding effects. The rewarding effects of cocaine are largely mediated by its actions in blocking brain dopamine transmitters to increase extracellular levels of the neurotransmitter in the brain’s reward circuits (Hancock & McKim, 2012). Cocaine is administered through the nose, where it is absorbed through the nasal tissues, or intravenously into the bloodstream. Once cocaine has been administered into the body, like Amphetamines, it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system causing an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. The effect of cocaine on mood and performance is what creates a strong dependence among users. In low doses, it produces euphoria, exhilaration, feelings of well-being, and an increased interest in sex. As the doses increase, the feelings are replaced by anxiety, hyperactivity, sleep deprivation, and paranoia (Hancock & McKim, 2012).

Stroke. Heart attack. Altered cardiac rhythm. These medical emergencies are common during a cocaine overdose. In addition to these immediate health consequences - prolonged cocaine use can alter the function of vital organs - which includes the possibility of permanent brain damage.

Cocaine is an intense, euphoria-producing stimulant drug with strong addictive potential (Drug Enforcement Administration). Cocaine is derived from the coca plant grown in Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia. When injected, snorted, or smoked it blocks the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain that causes a “rush” through the body. There are two forms of cocaine, freebase and crack. This illicit drug, when used, will increase the heart rate, blood pressure, dilate the pupils, insomnia, and loss of appetite. People who use cocaine may seem excited and may act more confident than when they weren’t under the influence. Cocaine use alters the mental state of the individual who is using and causes paranoia, poor judgment, delusions and hallucinations. Those who have a been using for a long time will often have a runny nose or sometimes nose bleeds. In addition, their craving for the drug will intensify which often results in need for higher doses. Some of the street slang names you may hear is coke, crack, soda and nose candy (Hanson, G. et al, 2015).

The short term effects of cocaine or "the high" is why one generally uses cocaine. Users generally sniff/snort, inject, or smoke the drug to achieve a high. As the drug enters the blood stream, it stimulates the central nervous system creating a feeling of euphoria, which can last up to 30 minutes. During this time the blood vessels become constricted; heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature increase; and pupils become dilated. This makes most users feel mentally alert, euphoric, and energized although some users experience irritability, anxiety, and

It can also temporarily decrease appetite and sleep. The short-term effects are: increased energy, decreased appetite, mental alertness, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, constricted blood vessels, increased temperature, dilated pupils, violent behavior, tremors, vertigo, muscle twitches, paranoia, dizziness, headache, movement problems, anxiety, insomnia, depression, hallucinations, euphoria, excitement, feeling of strength and power. The long-term effects of cocaine include but are not limited to: irritability, mood disturbances, restlessness, paranoia, auditory hallucinations, and

The drug cocaine is one of the most powerful and harmful drug around. It is addictive and directly affects the brain. Cocaine is a social issue because people who are addicted to this drug walk around on the streets and others may feel as if it is a disturbance.

The short-term effects of cocaine use are constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, increased body temperature, increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure. Large amounts of cocaine may increase the users high but can result in erratic and violent behavior. There are some cocaine users report feelings of irritability, restlessness, anxiety, paranoia, and panic. Users may also experience tremors and muscle twitches. The most common symptoms are cardiovascular effects, including disturbances the rhythm of your heart and heart attacks; neurological effects, including seizures, strokes, coma, and headaches; and gastrointestinal complications, including nausea and abdominal pain. On rare occasions, death can occur on the first use of

Researchers have used drugs, such as cocaine, to investigate how the brain processes and perceives information. Through these studies it seems the prefrontal cortex is involved. George et al. (2008) wanted to explore the long lasting effects of self-administered cocaine on the prefrontal cortex of rats. They were observed when given extended (6 hours per session) and limited (1 hour per session) access to the cocaine. After the last administration of the drug the rats were given the task of completing a simple maze they had been conditioned to complete. Not only was the performance of this working memory task hindered, but the density of neurons and oligodendrocytes, which provide insulation to axons, in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex

What Is Cocaine and its effect to the society? Cocaine is a coca leaf from a coca tree, the leaf is dried before it is used as the main ingredient to create cocaine. Cocaine is an illegal drug made famous by a Colombian drug cartel, Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria in the early 90’s. This drug also known as coke is used as an ingredient on coca-cola in the early 90’s but later then removed. This drugs mental effect is known to relieve stress, help people forget their problems, experience happiness for no reason, escape reality and many other psychological effects. This drug’s physical effects are heavy sweating, fast heart beat or rate and large pupils. Cocaine is sometimes used especially when the situation is dire during nasal operations to

Cocaine has been around since the 1880s the beginning of its popularity used by people who needed to get a quick high. The drug can be used by snorting, inhaling or injecting the liquid form into your veins. The two most common ways using cocaine are snorting and injecting, also known as “shooting” to common users. When cocaine is snorted it usually done laid out on a flat surface into a line and then taking a straw, dollar bill and sniffing firm through one nostril of your nose. It usually takes about fifteen to twenty minutes before the drug fully goes the blood stream getting you a high sensation. According to Drugs website, “Use of cocaine in a binge, during which the drug is taken repeatedly and at increasingly high doses, may lead to a state of increasing irritability, restlessness, and paranoia. This can result in a period of paranoid psychosis, in which the user loses touch with reality and experiences auditory hallucinations”. (drugs,

The effect of cocaine use has been a tremendous concern not just to the group of the individuals influenced, additionally to the general population security by and large. With this being said, the association between cocaine use and crime is surely understood. Cocaine use is involved in different sorts of drug related offenses which could be delegated offenses identified with a way of life that incorporates relationship with different guilty parties or with illegal markets

Dr. Ezemenari M. Obasi and Lucia Cavanagh conducted a research study on stress and drug use. The primary topic of the study was for them to look at how stress interact with drug use then predict potentially long-term negative health outcomes in the African American community. By looking at the test subject’s biological factors, environmental stress, social stress, cultural issues and any type of coping strategies. African American emergent adults ages 18 to 21 years of age who resided in rural counties were the test subjects. Since they oftentime initiative drug use at a much later age.

Some of the side effects of cocaine in the human body can be as simple as just headaches, increase of heart rate, nausea, and decrease of appetite; but, for heavy users the side effects can be more dangerous such as the loss of sense of smell, reduce blood flow, anxiety, severe paranoia, seizures, heart attacks, and strokes (Nova Science, 2012, p. 282). Currently, the only way to treat cocaine addiction is through behavioral therapy along with medications (Nova Science, 2012, p. 283).