By Jennifer McDougall
Aside from heroin, cocaine is one of the most deadly and highly addictive illegal drugs in the United States. Cocaine is illegally imported into the country each year and gets distributed throughout the nation by way of street dealers. It is a white power substance made from the coca leaves of South America. Typically by the time it gets sold on the streets, the substance contains added contents and chemicals of deadly sorts. Drug deals add other contents to the power in order to make a higher profit– multiplying their supply. Because the high of cocaine does not last long, people tend to use more of it the minute the begin to feel as they are “coming down.” The “come down” from cocaine is quite extreme. Depression, paranoia, restlessness, and severe decrease in sexual function are only some of the side effects from using this powerful substance.
Those found in possession of cocaine could face up to seven years in prison. In 2014, nearly 5,000 people in the United States died from cocaine overdose. Those between the ages of 18-25 are more likely to use and abuse this deadly drug.
Overdose from Cocaine Can Result in:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Cardiac arrest
- Respiratory arrest
- Sudden death
Short Term Effects of Cocaine:
- Short and long-term effects on mental health
- Inflated self-esteem
- Feelings of euphoria
- Hallucinations
- Increase of energy
- Diluted pupils
- Increased body temperature
Long Term Effects of Cocaine:
- Chronic fatigue
- Relentless headaches
- Abdominal pain
- Sudden nosebleeds
- Significant weight loss
- Diseases such as HIV and hepatitis from unsafe injection use
- Heart attack
- Cardiac arrest
- Widespread ischemic vascular disease
- Stroke
- Seizures
- Respiratory arrest
- Death
Call Passages Addiction Treatment Centers today if you or a loved one is battling an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Our admissions department is available 24/7 and can be reached directly by calling our toll-free number at (888) 397-0112. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
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