With drug abuse of the rise, it is vital for the youth to know what the effects of taking certain drugs can be as this will encourage them to refrain from using these substances. Cocaine is one such drug that is used by about 2.1 million people in the US alone, making it the second most commonly used drug after marijuana. It is one of the most addictive drugs known with even first time users having high possibilities of reuse and addiction. On the streets, Cocaine is also known as coke, crack, cane, powder, snow, the lady, line, toot, Neurocain, rock and flake. Cocaine, extracted from the South American coca plant, stimulates the central nervous system of the user.
Cocaine is available as white crystalline power that can be smokes, sniffed or injected. It is often sold mixed with flour, sugar and cornstarch that look like it. It variant, known as Crack Cocaine resembles a small chunk or rock that can be off white or pink in color. As it affects the nervous system, cocaine users feel a heightened sense of alertness; euphoria, a false sense of invincibility and a carefree attitude. One doze of cocaine has an effect that can last for about 2 to 3 hours. Although users feel highly energized after taking the drug, once its effect wears off users free depressed and extremely fatigued. Users face symptoms such as anxiety, loss of appetite and paranoia.
Overdose deaths are more common among cocaine users than other drugs. Short term ill effects of cocaine use include deteriorated vision, insomnia, vomiting, respiratory tract infections, bleeding nose, twitching or being unable to sit still, chest pain, hallucinations and much more. In the long run, cocaine use can lead to extreme depression with suicidal tendencies and heightened insomnia. Prolonged use of cocaine can also lead to severe health complications such as heart diseases, stroke, seizures, respiratory failure as well as ulcerations in the nose’s mucous membrane.
