Cocaine
Cocaine is a white powder produced from the dried leaves of the South American coca plant. It's a powerful stimulant that directly affects the brain. Usually snorted through the nose, cocaine quickly gives the user a rush of energy and feelings of power. Crack cocaine is a smokable form of the drug that gives users an even quicker high. Street names for cocaine include blow and nose candy. Crack cocaine is also known as tornado.
Cocaine is very addictive. Its users quickly develop an uncontrollable compulsion to have the drug, and they become physically dependent on it to function. It is the illegal drug most frequently mentioned in reports from hospital emergency rooms. More than 34 million Americans 12 and older, about 14% of the population, have tried cocaine at least once.
Signs & symptoms of cocaine use
Cocaine increases your heartbeat, and it raises blood pressure and body temperature. Its immediate effect wears off quickly and leaves users feeling depressed and irritable, craving more of the drug. Cocaine can cause heart attack, stroke or death from a single use. Watch for these signs of cocaine use:
- Red, bloodshot eyes
- Runny nose, frequent sniffing
Some signs that may signal that a person is using cocaine are:
- Changes in behavior
- Hostility, strained relationships with family members and friends
- Depression, fatigue
- Becoming careless about appearance
- Falling grades, declining performance on the job
- Frequent absences from work or school
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Frequent need of money
Who's at risk for cocaine addiction?
People of all educational backgrounds, income levels and cultural heritages abuse drugs. Teens are especially vulnerable, and so are people with mental illness. The highest rate of cocaine use is among adults 26 and older. Crack cocaine use is a problem among teens, with almost 4% of high school seniors saying they tried the drug at least once. Risk factors for cocaine and other drug use also include:
- Family history of alcohol or drug problems
- Social environment that's favorable to drug use
- Lack of supervision (teens)
- Depression, anxiety or other mental condition
Professional help for cocaine addiction
Drug abuse and drug addiction - the compulsive, uncontrollable use of a drug - are chronic conditions that can be successfully treated with behavioral modification therapy and by attending support groups. Medications are available for treating cocaine abuse. But even after treatment, many people fall back into drug use. That's why the earlier you get help, the better chance you have of a long-term recovery. Priority Health members can check with our Behavioral Health staff for information on getting help with drug abuse and addiction problems.
What you can do
In addition to treatment, here are some things you can do to help yourself stay drug-free.
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Stay with the program. It usually takes several months to see improvement, so don't give up too soon on your treatment
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Get help for other health conditions. People with depression, anxiety or other mental health problems are more likely to abuse drugs. If you have signs or symptoms of any of these, see your doctor for treatment. Read more about mental and emotional health conditions.
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Don't put yourself at risk. Stay away from the places you used to get drugs and the people you did drugs with.
