Cocaine Symptoms & Drug Rehabilitation

A person can introduce cocaine into the body through several routes. It can be absorbed through the skin after it is rubbed on mucous tissues. It can be inhaled by smoking, which includes crack. It can be injected into the vein, which is called mainlining. It can be taken intranasally, which means snorting the cocaine through the nose. It can also be taken orally, which is called chewing

After it is introduced into the body, cocaine passes readily into the brain. In the brain, it causes a buildup of dopamine by blocking the normal recycling process. These high levels of dopamine continuously stimulate nerve cells, causing the euphoria or high.

The effects of cocaine can be felt within seconds. Cocaine provides a dramatic high that lasts 3 to 5 minutes with Crack Cocaine. The high lasts for up to 30 to 60 minutes when cocaine is snorted or injected. Afterward, the user feels an intense craving for the drug.

Dependency can develop in less than 2 weeks. Some research indicates that a psychological dependency may develop after a single dose of high-potency cocaine. As the person develops a tolerance to cocaine, higher and higher doses are needed to produce the same level of euphoria.

Common symptoms and signs of cocaine use:

anxiety
panic
tin foil
bloody nose
increased energy
talking rapidly
rapid pulse and breathing
paranoia
confusion
dilated pupils
hallucinations
altered motor activities (tremors, hyperactivity)
stuffiness and runny nose

Did You Know? ...
Interesting Facts and Statistics:

Although heroin withdrawal is considered less dangerous than alcohol or barbiturate withdrawal, sudden withdrawal by heavily dependent heroin users who are in poor health is occasionally fatal.

In 2008, the number of new nonmedical users of OxyContin® aged 12 or older was 478,000, with an average age at first use of 21.8 years among those aged 12 to 49. These estimates are similar to those for 2007 (554,000 and 24.0 years, respectively). OxyContin® initiation declined between 2004 (615,000) and 2008.

65% of people arrested for marijuana related crimes are for simple possession.

Among the 5.6 million adults aged 18 or older with both SPD and substance dependence or abuse (i.e., a substance use disorder) in 2006, half (50.8 percent) received mental health treatment or substance use treatment at a specialty facility; 8.4 percent received both treatment for mental health problems and specialty substance use treatment, 39.6 percent received only treatment for mental health problems, and 2.8 percent received only specialty substance use treatment.

The number of persons aged 12 or older who smoked cigarettes for the first time within the past 12 months was 2.4 million in 2006, which was similar to the estimate in 2005 (2.3 million) but significantly greater than the estimate for 2002 (1.9 million). Most new smokers in 2006 were under age 18 when they first smoked cigarettes (61.2 percent).

Marijuana users typically inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers, which further increase the lungs' exposure to carcinogenic smoke.

Symptoms of Cocaine Use

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