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Cocaine
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Get the Facts!
Cocaine affects your brain. The word
“cocaine” refers to the drug in both a powder form (cocaine) and crystal
(crack) form. It is made from the coca plant and causes a short-lived
high that is immediately followed by opposite, intense feelings of
depression, edginess, and a craving more of the drug. Cocaine ma be
snorted as a powder, converted to a liquid form or injection with a
needle, or processed into a crystal form to be smoked.
Cocaine affects your body. People who use cocaine often don’t eat
or sleep regularly. They can experience increased heart rate, muscle
spasms, and convulsions. If they snort cocaine, they can also
permanently damage their nasal tissue.
Cocaine affects your emotions. Using cocaine can make you feel
paranoid, angry, hostile, and anxious, even when you are not high.
Cocaine is addictive. Cocaine interferes with the way your brain
processes chemicals that create feelings of pleasure, so you need more
and more of the drug just to feel normal. People who become addicted to
cocaine start to lose interest in other areas of their life, like
school, friends and sports.
Cocaine can kill you. Cocaine use can cause heart attacks,
seizures, strokes, and respiratory failure. People who share needles can
also contract hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, or other diseases.
Before You Risk It . .
.
Know the law. Cocaine – in any form
– is illegal.
Stay informed. Even first-time cocaine users can have seizures or
fatal heart attacks.
Know the risks. Combing cocaine with other drugs or alcohol is
extremely dangerous. The effect of one drug can magnify the effects of
another, and mixing substances can be deadly.
Be aware. Cocaine is expensive. Regular users can spend hundreds
and even thousands of dollars on cocaine each week.
Stay in control. Cocaine impairs your judgment, which may lead to
unwise decisions around sexual activity. This can increase your risk for
HIV/AIDS, other diseases, rape, and unplanned pregnancy.
Know the Signs . . .
How can you tell if a friend is using
cocaine? Sometime it’s tough to tell. But there are signs you can
look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs,
he or she may be using cocaine or other illicit drugs:
• Red, bloodshot eyes
• A runny nose or frequent sniffing
• A change in groups of friends
• Acting withdrawn, depressed, tired, or careless about personal
appearance
• Losing interest in school, family, or activities he or she used to
enjoy
• Frequently needing money
What can you do to help someone who is using cocaine? Be a real
friend. Save a life. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional
help. For information and referrals, call the National Clearinghouse for
Alcohol and Drug Information at 800-729-6686
Q & A
Q. Isn’t crack less addictive than
cocaine because it doesn’t stay in your body very long?
A. No. Both cocaine and crack are powerfully addictive. The length of
time it stays in your body doesn’t change that.
Q. Don’t some people use cocaine to feel good?
A. Any positive feelings are fleeting and often followed by some very
bad feelings, like paranoia and intense cravings. Cocaine may give users
a temporary illusion of power and energy, but it often leaves them
unable to function emotionally, physically, and sexually.
The bottom line: if you know someone who has a problem with
cocaine, urge him or her to stop or get help. If you use it – stop! The
longer you ignore the ral facts, the more chances you take with your
life.
It is never too late. Talk to your parents, a doctor, a counselor, a
teacher, or another adult you trust.
Do it today!
To learn more about cocaine or obtain referrals to programs in your
community, contact one of the following toll-free numbers:
SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol
and Drug Information
800-729-6686
TDD 800-487-4889
Web site: ncadi.samhsa.gov
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