Cocaine is a highly addictive illegal narcotic used today. The immediate and euphoric affects are enticing for people in the club scene and living on the streets. Cocaine’s usage has decreased over time from the popularity it once had in the 80s. Its freebase form, which is a processed form of cocaine hydrochloride, is commonly known on the streets as crack because it creates a “crackling” sound when smoked. Crack cocaine is processed with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water, then heated to remove the hydrochloride. Effects of Crack Cocaine The smokeable form of cocaine allows...

Cocaine addiction is one of society’s greatest problems today. Individuals addicted to cocaine will do almost anything to get the drug. It has penetrated all levels of our society infecting the rich, poor and everyone in between. Family members connected to individuals with a cocaine addiction live in chaos and confusion because they do not understand the underlying mechanics of cocaine addiction. Cocaine has tremendous addictive potential, in part because its “high” or euphoria typically lasts no more than an hour before the user craves to use it again, leading to periods of bingeing...

Cocaine withdrawal generally occurs when there is abrupt discontinuation of the drug or a rapid decrease in the usage of it. When discontinued, the user will experience a “crash” along with other cocaine withdrawal symptoms: paranoia, depression, an intense craving for more cocaine, exhaustion, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, fatigue, and/or insomnia. REM sleep may also be affected for weeks after last use. Patients may have major concurrent psychiatric disorders and there may be severe discomfort and changes in the central nervous system as well. Cocaine Withdrawal’s Physical Effects Unlike...

Often when someone is under the addictive powers of cocaine they are unable to make the proper decisions to quit this behavior. Intervention is the act of interfering in the affairs of another person. Intervention often comes from the loved ones of the cocaine addict; those that know you best and care about your well being. Drug intervention is the process of stopping a chemically dependent person from continuing to use their drug of choice, despite negative consequences. It has also come to mean to motivate an individual to enter treatment who is currently unwilling to do so. Models of...

Cocaine has powerful negative effects on the heart, brain and emotions. The results of smoking or injecting cocaine can be nearly instantaneous, and these immediate effects wear off in 30 minutes to two hours. Smoking or injecting cocaine results in a faster and shorter high, compared to snorting coke. The results of smoking or injecting cocaine can be nearly instantaneous. Whatever the method of taking it in, cocaine quickly enters the bloodstream and travels to the brain. Cocaine produces its powerful high by acting on the brain. Deep in the brain, cocaine interferes with the chemical messengers,...