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Cocaine Information
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In 1997, there were approximately 1.5 million
regular users of crack cocaine or powdered
cocaine
Why would
anyone become addicted to cocaine?
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The
effects of cocaine are immediate, extremely pleasurable, and brief. Cocaine and
crack cocaine both produce intense but short-lived euphoria and can make users
feel more energetic. Like caffeine, cocaine produces wakefulness and reduces
hunger. Psychological effects include feelings of well-being and a grandiose
sense of power and ability mixed with anxiety and restlessness. As the drug
wears off, these temporary sensations of mastery are replaced by an intense
depression, and the drug abuser will then "crash", becoming lethargic and
typically sleeping for several days.
s cocaine
addiction serious?
Cocaine
addiction can occur very quickly and be very difficult to break. Animal studies
have shown that animals will work very hard (press a bar over 10,000 times) for
a single injection of cocaine, choose cocaine over food and water, and take
cocaine even when this behavior is punished. Animals must have their access to
cocaine limited in order not to take toxic or even lethal doses. People
addicted to cocaine behave similarly. They will go to great lengths to get
cocaine and continue to take it even when it hurts their school or job
performance and their relationships with loved ones.
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Are there any
other problems that can occur from crack or cocaine
addiction?
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Crack
and other forms of cocaine can cause feelings of anxiety and depression, which
may last for weeks.
Attempts
to stop using the drugs can fail simply because the resulting depression can be
overwhelming, causing the addict to use more cocaine in an attempt to overcome
his depression. This overpowering addiction can cause the addict to do anything
to get cocaine. |
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