Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine affects the brain directly. Originally was extracted from the leaf of the Erythroxylon coca bush. The appearance of this drug it is like disperse solid white crystals. According to NIDA there are two type of chemical form such as “the water-soluble hydrochloride salt and the water-insoluble cocaine base (or freebase).” In other words, the powdered form and “crack” that refers to the crack sounds it does when it is smoked.

     Cocaine is a stronger drug than the usual ones such as: alcohol, cigarette and marijuana. However, it does not mean the others are any better. It pleasures effects comes by building up dopamine in the synaptic space. Consequently, after using this drug receptors will decrease and so the intensity of pleasure without it. Therefore, the person will suffer of this.

    According to NIDA “there are no FDA-approved medications to treat cocaine addiction.” In other words, the addiction this gives can’t be treated so easily. However, the use of medication battles some of the withdrawal symptoms like depression and anxiety. Therefore, this drug does serious damage like any other. Not only by the drug itself, but also if an additive is added to it, which in the worst case may lead to death.

            Reference:

Clore, J. (2010, March 6). Cocaine in the human brain. Retrieved March 2015, from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqwo9dmIXAQ

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2010, September). Cocaine. Retrieved March 2015, from NIDA: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine