Cocaine is a stimulant drug. It is highly addictive. It is typically available in powder form which is snorted into the nose and is absorbed into the blood stream through the tissue inside the nose similar to other inhalants. Cocaine powder can also be mixed with water and injected. Another form of cocaine is called “crack.” Crack is processed cocaine into a rock crystal (sometimes this is called “freebase cocaine.) Crack is heated, makes a cracking sound and is smoked which is then absorbed into the blood stream through the lungs.

Effects of Cocaine on the brain:

  • Central nervous system stimulant which increase dopamine in the brain
  • Amplifies the dopamine and disrupts normal brain function
  • Repeated use of cocaine can cause long-term changes in the brain
  • Can cause addiction
  • Can cause increased tolerance, requiring more of the drug to get the same effect

 

Physical effects of cocaine:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased body temperature
  • Dilated pupils
  • Constriction of the blood vessels
  • Headaches
  • Decrease in appetite
  • Nosebleeds
  • Loss of sense of smell
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Runny nose
  • Nausea
  • Addiction
  • Risk of HIV
  • Risk of Hepatitis C
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Death

 

Other effects of cocaine:

  • Risky sexual behavior
  • Risky behavior
  • Paranoia
  • Irritability
  • Impaired judgment

Combining cocaine with other drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous.

If your teen is abusing cocaine get help now! Most often, residential treatment programs are the best for substance abuse or dependence problems. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) works well to help prevent relapse. Residential treatment removes the teenager from their environment and allows them to focus on their issues, obtain intense therapy, provides constant supervision, works at reunifying the family and teaches coping skills to deal with problems.

Triumph Youth Services is just such a place. They provide a small, highly structured family-type environment for youth. This family-like community promotes a social environment that takes on both therapeutic and healing properties instead of maintaining negative behaviors.

Call today for information.

Reference:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs/health-effects
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine-abuse-addiction