Cocaine use and its Risks
Cocaine is an extremely addictive drug that is made from the leaves of Erythroxylum coca and Erythroxylum novogranatense. Both Erythroxylum coca and Erythroxylum novogranatense are plants that are native to South America.
It is also known by its street names such as rock, coke, smack, blow powder, node powder, etc.. Cocaine is used for medicinal and recreational purposes but its use as a recreational drug is banned. It was used extensively as an anaesthetic during medical procedures although its use nowadays is minimal.
History of Cocaine
Erythroxylon coca is a species native to South America. The indigenous people of South America chew the leaves of the Erythroxylon coca plant. The leaves contains many nutrients coupled with cocaine. The practise of consuming the leaves of the Erythroxylon coca by indigenous people goes back to over a thousand years.
How is it made?
Leaves from the Erythroxylum coca and Erythroxylum novogranatense are extracted and processed into powered cocaine or cocaine hydrochloride. Cocaine used for recreational purposes is available as a white crystal powder. It can be snorted, dissolved in water and injected using a needle into a vein and also heated and inhaled.
What are the effects of Cocaine?
Upon consumption, effects of cocaine start manifesting within minutes and can last over an hour. Effects of cocaine may vary based on the amount of cocaine consumed, the contaminants in the cocaine and duration of the addiction. Some of the effect are listed below:
- Increase in Heart rate and Blood pressure
- High Body temperature
- Anxiety, Paranoia, Aggressive or Restless behaviour
- Psychosis and Hallucinations
- Lung injury caused due to inhaling cocaine
- Cocaine can be devastating to Cardio-vascular health and lead to abnormal heart rhythms and heart attacks
Is Cocaine addictive?
Cocaine use can be extremely addictive and even a use or two can lead to an addiction. Prolonged use use of cocaine can lead to an addiction and abstaining after an extended period of regular use can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as depression and fatigue.
Risk of adulterated Cocaine
Cocaine that’s sold for recreational use is usually tampered with substances such as talcum powder, caffeine, glucose, flour or opioids like fentanyl. And as with any major drug sold illegally, it’s hard to know the purity of the cocaine. Many overdose deaths have been attributed to the presence of opioids mixed with cocaine.
Risk in pregnant women
Cocaine consumption can be extremely dangerous during pregnancy. Cocaine use can lead to arteries becoming harder and tighter. It can also lead to narrowing blood vessels which can lead to cardiovascular diseases in pregnant women. Cocaine use has shown to increase the risk of placental abruption that can lead to the placenta detaching from the uterus. Overall, cocaine use during pregnancy results in life threatening conditions for both the mother and child.
Cocaine in India
Cocaine is banned in India and use, possession or sale of cocaine can attract jail sentences. Cocaine is not as popular in India though and cocaine use is restricted to the higher income group. That being said, there are still over 10.7 lakh users of cocaine in India of whom only one-fourth admit to having an addiction.
How can I get help for Cocaine addiction?
Finding a licensed rehab with an experienced team and proven in-patient recovery program can be crucial to recovering from a cocaine addiction. Contact us today for more information about our in-patient addiction treatment program for cocaine addiction.
