17 SHORT AND LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS OF COCAINE - ARTE - 2025

Cocaine is a highly addictive, illegal stimulant drug made from the leaves of the native South American coca plant. It has the appearance of a fine white crystal powder. It is also known as base, white, snow white, charly, white lady, farlopa, parakeet, sweet, mojo or horn.

The side effects of cocaine on a physical and psychological level make it one of the most addictive and powerful drugs that can be consumed. This article will explain the most important symptoms.

The consumption of cocaine, smoked or inhaled, produces several consequences for the functioning of the organism and for the well-being of the family and society. It is a widespread drug especially in countries with more purchasing power.

Cocaine is addictive due to its effect on the reward pathway in the brain. After a short period of use, there is a high risk of dependence developing.

Its use also increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, lung problems, blood infections, and sudden cardiac death.

Cocaine sold on the street is commonly mixed with local anesthetics, cornstarch, quinine, or sugar, which can result in additional toxicity. After repeated doses, a person may have a decreased ability to feel pleasure and be physically very tired.

Why is cocaine dangerous?

We are going to clarify a series of questions about the consequences of cocaine use on the body. In the first place, it is convenient to mention that the greatest danger involved in smoking or snorting cocaine is its tremendous addictive property, which enhances the uncontrollable desire to consume it.

The properties that make up cocaine stimulate key points in the brain, creating a high feeling of euphoria, generating what are commonly called "trips", episodes of great hyperstimulation and extreme euphoria.

The increase of dopamine in the brain profiles affects the property of neuropsychological reinforcement, enhancing addiction.

The consumption of any type of drug, whatever its quantity, is very dangerous for the organism, increasing the risk of stroke, heart attacks or respiratory failure; their capacity to fall into addiction is very high, becoming the beginning of the end of life for many people.

Forms of consumption

Cocaine users snort it through their noses, dissolve it in water, and inject it into the bloodstream or inject it as a combination with heroin.

Another popular method is to smoke cocaine processed from a glass that is heated to produce vapors that are inhaled through the lungs. This type of cocaine is called Crack, which refers to the crunching sound of rock when heated.

Besides being injected and smoked, another way it is consumed is by turning it into a suppository that is inserted into the anus or vagina, where it is absorbed.

Additionally, the effects of cocaine depend on several factors:

• Quantity and rhythm. The occasional and small quantity consumption (less than ¼ gram) and the intensified consumption of this substance, covering large doses in a short time.
• Route. It can be consumed orally, nasal, aspiration or intravenously.
• In combination with other substances. Ingesting cocaine pure or mixed with alcohol, cannabis, heroin, etc.

Short term effects

Loss of appetite

It is more than proven that cocaine is the cause of loss of appetite; Cocaine is often a food substitute, causing serious metabolic disorders, as well as reducing the ability to generate body fat.

Increased blood pressure

Hyperstimulation, the feeling of continuous frenzy, affecting the circulatory system; the heart rate gradually increases, unbalancing blood pressure and body temperature. The first serious disturbances in the functioning of the heart begin.

Sickness

It is a very characteristic symptom, due to the gastrointestinal problems that its consumption entails; abdominal pain along with the sensation of nausea are very common sensations, being a first warning of digestive problems.

Anxiety and paranoia

The hypersensitive effects of cocaine produce anxiety due to the need to use again. Hyperexcitability or irritability are the basis for hallucinations and paranoias, which come to build a parallel reality.

Depression

Depressive symptoms appear in a very short period of time, since the anxiety to consume, together with an erratic behavior drawn with psychotic profiles, turn the cocaine user into a confused and exhausted person.

Dilated pupils

If you have seen a cocaine user, you can perfectly see how their pupils are enlarged. Also called bilateral mydriasis.

Disturbed sleeping habits

Under the consumption of this substance, the person can spend up to several days without being able to sleep, due to the increase in energy that its use provides.

Auditory and tactile hallucinations

It is very common in consumers to suffer strong episodes of paranoia, permanent hallucinations; tactile hallucinations are characteristic. The cocaine addict feels small animals under his skin, sometimes seriously injuring themselves to eliminate this sensation.

Others

• Strange, erratic, and sometimes violent behavior.
• Intense euphoria. They show tireless energy and an intense state of happiness.
• Seizures, panic attacks, and sudden death from high doses (even just once).

Long-term effects

Brain damage

Cocaine directly affects the functionality of neurotransmitters, attacking the brain's gratification system; the cerebral cortex suffers serious damage associated with the cognitive process (movements, attention etc), becoming irreversible.

Sexual problems

The abusive use of cocaine adversely affects the central nervous system, decreases the caliber of the arteries, reducing blood flow and the ability to erect in men. Likewise, depressive states inhibit sexual pleasure.

Kidney and lung damage

The habitual user of cocaine suffers from serious kidney and lung disorders, a serious organic disorder, which reduces the quality of life.

Brain hemorrhage and heart failure

These are the most serious and last effects that an abusive cocaine user can suffer, as it causes death. They are the most common causes of death in cocaine users.

Others

• If inhaled, it can cause destruction of nasal tissues and obstruct the nasal septum.
• Tooth wear, including loss of teeth. In most cases it is due to passing the substance with the fingertip over the teeth.
• Disorientation, apathy and exhaustion.

How does cocaine work in the brain?

Cocaine works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This results in higher concentrations of these three neurotransmitters in the brain. Cocaine can easily cross the blood brain barrier and lead to its breakdown.

The most studied effect of cocaine on the central nervous system is the blockade of the dopamine transporter protein.

Normally, a neuron releases dopamine into the synaptic space, and it binds to dopamine receptors on the nearby neuron to send a signal. When this signal has been sent, dopamine is reuptained by transporters in the transmitting neuron.

However, with cocaine use, dopamine is not reuptained; it binds to the dopamine transporter and cannot perform its reabsorption function. Thus, dopamine accumulates in the synaptic cleft.

This is what causes the euphoria that the person who uses this drug feels.

Treatment

Fighting and eradicating cocaine in the lives of consumers is a long and permanent process. There is no drug or medicine that eliminates the effects of addiction to this drug, although there are some that minimize the consequences of dependence. It is very important that the close environment of a cocaine addict fight with the addict side by side, to find the exit of the black tunnel in which he is.

There are treatment programs for drug addicts, where cognitive-behavioral therapies are a positive way to remove cocaine from the lives of these people.

Abstinence is a tough process that carries physical and psychological consequences that must be treated by professionals; communication, care and constant support for these people is essential. A recovered cocaine addict is a new life for him and his family.

• Finding a drug substitute for entertainment is very important. One of the healthiest is sport.
• On the other hand, the process of leaving the substance must be done gradually, little by little so that the withdrawal syndrome becomes less painful.

Finally, recommend that if you know someone with problems with cocaine, do not remain passive and inert, act and make their closest nucleus know about these problems. The faster the problem is caught the less harsh your recovery and detoxification will be.

Drugs create a fictional well-being for you. They are the best liars in the world »-Lifeder.com