Cocaine

COCAINE

Understanding Cocaine: From Medical USe to Abuse

Street NamesBlow, Coca, Coke, Crack, Flake, Snow, Soda Cot, Nose Candy, Powder, and Toot.

An Insight into the History, Effects, and Prevention of Cocaine Abuse

Chemical Compound: Benzoylmethylecgonine Hydrochloride

DESCRIPTION Cocaine is a short acting stimulant that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) speeding up breathing and heart rate. Cocaine is extracted and refined from the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca) grown primarily in the Andean region of South America. The leaf extract is processed to produce 3 different forms of cocaine.

COCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE: a white, crystalline powder witha bitter, numbing taste. Cocaine hydrochloride is oftenmixed, or ‘cut’, with other substances such as lactose andglucose, to dilute it before being sold

CRACK: crystals ranging in colour from white or creamto transparent with a pink or yellow hue, it may containimpurities. Crack is often found in the US, UK and othercountries but is not commonly found in Australia. As aresult, this resource will focus on powderedcocaine only.

DURATION OF EFFECTSTotal Duration: 45 minutes -1.5 hours*Onset: 5-10 minutesPeak: 20-40 minutesComing Down: 10-30 minutesAfter Effects: 1-4 hours*Based on snorting cocaine powder

HALF LIFEEven though the apparent effects of the drug wear off after1 hour, the drug is still active in your system for up to 2hours after you have taken it. Remember this if using othersubstances or redosing.

Biochemical target/activity:Cocaine acts by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the brain, leading to increased levels of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft and resulting in heightened alertness, feelings of euphoria, increased energy, and other stimulant effects.

% Illicit Usage: Cocaine is widely abused as a recreational drug. The exact percentage of illicit usage varies by region and over time.

PHYSICAL•• Decreased appetite• Increased energy• Decreased fatigue• Dilated pupils• Increased heart rate• Increased blood pressure• Increased body temperature and sweating• Constricted blood vesselsInsomniaRestlessnessSeizureStrokeHeart Attack

EMOTIONAL• Euphoria• Elevated moodIncreased confidenceIrritabilityAggression. PSYCHOLOGICAL• Reduced social inhibitions• Increased focus and concentration• Clearer thinking• Increased alertnessPsychosisExcited Delirium

% Overdose/Death Resulting from Abuse: Cocaine can lead to overdose, potentially resulting in cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. The exact statistics on overdose and death rates fluctuate annually and by geographic location.

Strategies to reduce the abuse potential of cocaine focus on law enforcement efforts to control its distribution, public health initiatives to educate about its dangers, treatment programs for addiction, and research into the socio-economic factors that contribute to drug abuse and addiction.

LONG TERM EFFECTSAnxiety, Paranoia, Irritability, Insomnia, Weight loss, Mentalhealth issues, Damage to nasal cartilage, Immune systemproblems due to the common presence of Levamisole as acutter in cocaine

Cocaine has a low therapeutic index due to its high potential for toxicity and overdose relative to doses that might exert any therapeutic effects. Its use is largely obsolete in clinical practice.

But if you were to choose to use: SAFE USING• Use around people you trust and somewhere you feel safe. • Eat about 30 minutes before use.• It is a good idea to start with a very small amount togauge strength and assess your sensitivity.• Set a limit of how much you want to use and what timeyou plan to stop to avoid taking too much.• Be aware of overheating or an elevated heart rate andmake sure to cool down & chill out regularly.• Keep your fluids up, but don’t drink too much—1 cup ofwater (250ml) p/h when resting & 500ml per hour whenactive.• Try eat every 2-3 hours, have a smoothie/sports drink tokeep your electrolytes up.• Sleep! Or at least lay down and rest during a 24-hourperiod to avoid sleep deprivation.

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):

https://www.drugabuse.gov/ - NIDA provides research-based information on drugs of abuse, their health effects, and treatment options for addiction.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

https://www.cdc.gov/ - The CDC offers resources on substance use and related health statistics, prevention strategies, and health promotion.

• World Health Organization (WHO):

https://www.who.int/ - WHO provides global data on drug abuse, international guidelines for drug control, and recommendations for public health.

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

https://www.samhsa.gov/ - SAMHSA offers information on substance use disorders, treatment options, and has a national helpline for immediate assistance.

• European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA):

http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/ - The EMCDDA provides comprehensive reports on drug use and addiction in Europe, including cocaine..

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