Cocaine is listed as the drug with high potential of being abused. The use of cocaine leads to serious physical and psychological dependence (DEA Drug Enforcement Administration, 2014). This drug is highly considered dangerous and illegal. Cocaine can be injected, snorted and smoked by the abusers. Therefore, the paper will evaluate both mental and physical consequences of the cocaine.
The drug has a potent central nervous system stimulant, which can influence the production of dopamine in the brain. This is so because the cocaine affects absorption of dopamine, a brain chemical linked with production of a euphoric effect, pressure and movement. Therefore, when the cocaine is ingested the user start experiencing body temperature rise, dilated pupils and constricted blood vessels, which can lead to pulmonary complications.
Similarly, chronic use of cocaine may cause perforation of the nasal septum. Its intoxication can generate neurologic effects such as anxiety, confusion, agitation and violence among others. Cocaine psychosis is another consequence of cocaine use, which is manifested by paranoia, panic, hallucinations, insomnia and picking to the skin. This condition can last from 24 to 36 hours and people with this condition are mainly hospitalized and treated with antipsychotic medication (Aronson, 2007).
The individuals who snort cocaine can have the loss of sense of smell, nose bleeding and swallowing difficulties. He or she can experience chronic inflamed of the nasal septum and running nose. The individual who injects the cocaine can have puncture marks referred to as tracks, which appear in the forearm (Aronson, 2007). The cocaine users can experience allergic reactions to some drugs which can lead to sudden death. The chronic users' experiences loss of appetite as well as weight loss and malnourishment. Since cocaine is the most addictive drug and the consequences are fatal, people should avoid using the drug.
References
Aronson, J. K. (2007). Side effects of drugs annual 29: A worldwide yearly survey of new data and trends in adverse drug reactions. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
DEA Drug Enforcement Administration (2014, February 12). DEA / Drug Scheduling. Retrieved February 19, 2014, from http://www.justice.gov/dea/druginfo/ds.shtml
