Cocaine

Cocaine is an incredibly addictive and powerful stimulant drug that comes in a powder and is typically inhaled through the nasal passage or injected intravenously. Conversely, crack cocaine is a slightly modified form of cocaine that comes in a chrysalis form and is almost always smoked. According to a 2020 SAMHSA study on illicit drug use, the overall number of people ages 12 and older who reported using cocaine and crack cocaine in the past year is approximately 7 million people.

Similar to other stimulants, cocaine works by releasing excess amounts of dopamine into your brain affecting your limbic system, which is responsible for pleasure. Cocaine and crack cocaine also predominantly affect your central nervous system, which is responsible for your breathing, heart rate, temperature regulation and other essential components for regulating your brain and body. Since cocaine is relatively short acting, an individual must keep doing it relatively frequently to maintain their high. These two factors make cocaine and crack cocaine extremely addictive.

Some of the most common symptoms and side effects of dependency on cocaine and crack cocaine are:

If you or someone you know is showing any of these signs or symptoms and or reports heavy use of cocaine or crack cocaine, please reach out for help. Contact us today to begin your journey of physical and psychological healing.