One is often baffled when trying to understand why or how somebody becomes addicted to a drug. It is difficult to comprehend how something can completely overtake a person’s life and destroy it. Addiction, however, is not simply a voluntary behavior. Cocaine addiction is a very serious mental disease that can be detrimental to a person and the people around them. While some are more susceptible than others, anyone can become a victim of cocaine addiction. All it takes is one single use and a lifelong battle can ensue.
Cocaine addiction starts after the initial use of the drug. Cocaine was originally used as an anesthetic, but is no longer used clinically due to the addictive nature. Nowadays, cocaine is normally used as a recreational drug
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The intense high delivered from cocaine is short-lived. Cocaine is known for delivering intense euphoria and self-confidence. Cocaine can have many negative symptoms including agitation, paranoia, confusion, nervousness, restlessness, delirium, hallucinations, delusions, violence, suicidal or homicidal thoughts, increased heart rate, muscle spasms, heart attack, stroke, seizure, respiratory failure, or death. Cocaine also causes an increased risk of miscarriage, premature labor, and stillbirth in pregnant women. The drug works by rapidly increasing the level of dopamine in the brain. The increase in dopamine stimulates the limbic system, which gives the user a “feeling of enhanced well-being, euphoria, alertness, motor activity and energy,” and some users describe “increased sensations of sexuality and competence” (Nordqvist). The increase in pleasurable sensations is what in turn increases the likelihood of reuse in the future. With increased usage, the brain starts to get used to the high levels of dopamine and may begin to treat it as the normal level. After the brain begins recognizing the high levels of dopamine as normal, when the person is not using, they can set into withdrawal due to an …show more content…
Some users become so addicted that they are willing to give up anything and everything in order to achieve a high. People will often sell away their life to support their habit and eventually may even steal or panhandle to get money. “A distinguishing mark of cocaine addiction is its expense. Since cocaine costs a lot of money, stealing is frequently a sign of cocaine addiction” (Carruth 19). The side effects of cocaine such as depression and paranoia often lead to problems at home. The addiction can cause sudden anger outbursts, estrangement from spouse or family, and work or financial issues. With the onset of addiction, cocaine begins control the addict’s “thoughts and priorities, occupies their time, takes their money, demands their attention, and threatens their values. The effects of cocaine on the family are different for each family member, often causing the non-using family members to develop their own physical, psychological, and emotional problems as they struggle to adapt” (Effects). Many relationships are destroyed and families torn apart due to cocaine addiction. The addiction takes over their life and becomes their only priority. Luckily, there are ways to reclaim control of their life and get rid of the addiction once and for
An addict’s behavior is beyond their control but, if those around them help with small support on a daily basis it may enlighten them to recover. One way to show support toward the addict, is by spending time to talk to them without any judgments. Addicts would then feel more open to discuss their situation without feeling guilty. This allows them to have insight on their own behaviors and gain trust from their families and friends. Moreover, the next time they feel a mental impulse they will be more likely to think before taking on a negative
Children who group up seeing a parent addicted to drugs or alcohol are more likely to develop SUDs in their childhood. Addiction in teens can affect families also. Many teens that deal with addiction eventually end up running away from home, this puts other family members in emotional distress, they find it unable to focus when doing simple daily activities because they are worrying about them. Financially, drug abuse takes a toll on families. It cost a lot of money to get a family member into a rehab facility and cover the costs for medical needs and other
Many did not even suspect this drug to be harmful in any way. If anything, it was a recreational drug, meaning it was done for enjoyment and pleasure. Many of the users claimed that it was non- addictive but that is not true. The National Survey on Drug Abuse, in 1982, researched that 22 million Americans used cocaine at least once (Discovering U.S. History, 1997).
Both drugs are stimulants so they stimulate the individual and create an euphoric high, as a result of the way both drugs elevate the dopamine levels in the brain. Stimulants such as cocaine and meth cause the user to be more active, talkative, alert, less tired, exhilarated, etc. This essay will talk about each drug signs and symptoms treatment nursing management for drug abuse. Cocaine is an extremely addictive and poisonous drug and is a central nervous system stimulant (Miller-Keane).
The user’s behavior during withdrawal is influenced by “physiological effects of cocaine withdrawal including aggression, violence, and paranoia”(“Cocaine Withdrawal”). As the user is coming off of their high, their behavior has to try to return to its normal and can be a shock to the body. The boys in A Long Way Gone “began to fight each other day and night” and would “fight for hours between meals, for no reason at all” when they were going through the first stages of withdrawal(Beah 168). Their aggressive and violent behavior is due to the ‘culture shock’ the body has to endure while it learns how to wean off its dependence on cocaine. After the initial rash behavior from withdrawal subsides, the brain suffers from the detox that ensues vivid nightmares as “a side effect of the brain’s detoxing itself from cocaine’s interference with neurotransmitter activity”(“10 Common”).
A drug addiction occurs when someone uses substances to give themselves a feeling of pleasure even if it has negative consequences for them or others. When an addiction occurs the brain changes too making it extremely difficult to quit. This is because the brain wants more of the pleasurable substance because it’s giving dopamine. Once someone is addicted to something all they want is that thing and they will do anything to get it.
Addiction is the number one cause of death in the US. Addiction can run in the family and be passed down through genes. Generally, that’s how addiction starts but it can start by recreational use, and then turn into something far more serious. In order to break the addiction, there is a 12 step program to follow, but one must be willing to admit there is a problem. Recovery is hard, but it is possible to maintain.
The continuous use of narcotics results in addiction, and financial struggles due to the costly upkeep. “Financial problems are one of the major side effects of drug and substance abuse” (Buaggett, 2015). Addicts cannot adequately take an active role in the economic activities, as the use of drugs inhibits the abilities of the users to earn a daily living. Due to the instability of finances, this would result in selling personal belongings to continue funding the substance of choice, and depending on the addicts living situation, this could lead to losing their house or being removed from their current housing. While being under the influence, an addicts voice of reason is jeopardized, resulting in criminal activities which raise the chances of being apprehended by the law enforcers, as well as, heavy fines are imposed.
They become jittery, on edge, and long for the next dose of “blow”. It causes increased heart rate and often causes convulsions and spasms. The user most likely will experience paranoia, anxiety, hostility, and anger. The effects of using cocaine are very repercussive. There can be permanent damage to the blood vessels of
Cocaine is a drug. It grows from coco plants. It 's a very addictive drug as well. It’s mostly made in high mountain ranges of south America. They are usually farmed the most at columbia.
Cocaine is the one of the oldest major drugs of constantly natural origin. Benzoyl-methyl-ecgonine (chemical compound of cocaine) originates in the lower altitudes of the eastern slopes of th eAndes, or the highlands depending on the species grown, in particular in Bolivia,Colombia and Peru. However, coca is a relatively easy plant to grow. Over time the powdery drug formed from a plant in western south america became almost iconic; popularized by people and up and coming companies. In 1884 Cocaine was Praised as Miracle Cure by Sigmund Freud The American medical community embraces cocaine as a miracle cure for a variety of ailments, including, ironically, addiction to morphine and alcohol.
The reason people love the way cocaine feels is because of its feeling of euphoria the increase of energy levels and elevated mood of self esteem. In accordance to drugabuse.com short term side effects of using cocaine are, Paranoia, Dizziness, Muscle twitches, Dilated pupils, High body temperature, loss of sexual appetite. In addition the long term effects of cocaine include rectal functions from eating cocaine, could end up getting HIV from using the same needle again or with another person, Heart attacks, Constant nose bleeds, Strokes and even Seizures. Alternative names used among the streets are, Coke, Toot, Base, Powder, Candy, White, Flake, Basa, Rail, Snow, Bump, Yeyo and the list goes on.
Drugs can be abused in a variety of different ways by people from every walk of life. Most of us have been affected by substance abuse either directly or indirectly. Substance abusers harm themselves, as well as their families and communities.
Almost 5 million people reported using cocaine at some point in 2015, and nearly million reported use at some point in their life. Approximately 1.75 times more men than women abused cocaine in 2015. Additionally, in 2011, the Drug Abuse Warning Network found that cocaine was the most common illicit substance involved in emergency department visits in 2011, found in more than 40% of cases’. Addiction recovery is based on how bad the addiction level is, often users are sent to rehabilitation centres to undergo
Addiction is the reliance on a routine. There are many addictive stages. Addiction, as it comes along, becomes a way of life. The persistent use of the substance causes to the user serious physical or psychological problems and dysfunctions in major areas of his or her life. The drug user continues to use substances and the compulsive behavior despite the harmful consequences, and tries to systematically avoid responsibility and reality, while he or she tends to isolate himself/herself from others because of guilt and pain (Angres, & Bettinardi-Angres, 2008).