Effects of Cocaine Abuse, its Prevention and Treatment - Research Paper Example

? Running head: COCAIN ABUSE, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT Effects of Cocaine Abuse, its Prevention and Treatment First Middle initial and Last name Name of University Course Name April 23, 2011 Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant derived from the leaves of the shrub Erythroxylon of which over 250 species are known (Nordegren, 2002). Cocaine is also called coke, rock, snow, toot, blow, dust, nose candy, line, sneeze, powder, liquid lady, white pony, flake, C, the lady and crack. Most of these names come from the way they are used or the way they are prepared. Today, cocaine is a Schedule II drug which means that it has high potential for abuse, but can be administered by a doctor for legitimate medical uses as a local anesthetic for some eye, ear and throat surgeries (Psychology Today, 2008). A recent survey of 17 countries revealed that United States has the highest level of illegal cocaine use with nearly 16.2% of people in the United States having used cocaine in their lifetime (Science Daily, 2008). Cocaine is available in two chemical forms – hydrochloride salt which is taken intravenously (by vein) or intra-nasally (through the nose) and freebase which is smoked (Psychology Today, 2008). Issues Related to Cocaine Abuse Cocaine addicts are usually introduced to the drug after they have abused ‘gateway substances’ like alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. According to the national center on addiction and substance abuse (1994), 90 % of the people who tried cocaine had used all three gateway substances before moving on to cocaine. Impact on physical functioning Cocaine use can lead to some immediate physical consequences such as restlessness, euphoria and alertness (WebMD, 2008). These effects are felt within minutes of taking the drug and continue for about 20 to 120 minutes. Other physical effects include insomnia, vomiting, pupil dilation, nosebleeds, increased temperature and pulse rate and rapid breathing (WebMD, 2008). These effects are temporary and mostly disappear after a couple of hours. Studies reveal that prolonged use of cocaine can have an overwhelming effect on the ‘pleasure centers’ in the brain (Chen, et. al., 1996). The drug interferes, alters, damages and takes control of specialized cells that regulate pleasure, well-being and mood. Therefore, regular use can destroy the brain’s ability to feel normal without cocaine. Long term use can even cause permanent biological drug addiction. Since cocaine increases blood pleasure, heart rate, breathing and body temperature, long term use of the drug can cause cardiac and respiratory failures, strokes, coma, convulsions and death. The drug can damage the liver’s ability to detoxify blood and can reduce the production of critical enzymes needed for normal body functioning (WebMD, 2008). It can also cause liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Cocaine use results in the constriction of the blood vessels of the heart resulting in increased blood pressure. This can trigger heart attack, heart failure, irregular heart beat and sudden death. Use of non-sterile needles among cocaine users can result in contracting Hepatitis – a highly contagious disease resulting in serious liver damage and AIDS. Users may also pass these diseases to their sexual partners, unborn babies and others. Regular users of cocaine experience loss of interest in sex, decreased sexual performance and risk of impotence and infertility (WebMD, 2008). In women, the drug use can result in miscarriages, developmental disorders and complications during birth. It can also cause premature separation of placenta from uterus leading to premature births or stillbirths. Smoking cocaine damages the ability of the cells in the lung to process gases. This results in the user experiencing constant cough and shortness of breath. Regular use can result in respiratory failure because the brain stops sending signals to the lung muscles that control breathing and they stop working (WebMD, 2008). Impact on psychological functioning Cocaine has been found to be psychologically addictive and the thoughts of users tend to revolve around gaining more access to cocaine. Cocaine users find it extremely hard to limit their use because the drug gives them a sense of euphoria, alertness, excitement and indifference to pain or fatigue. Users also experience anxiety, paranoia, hallucination and depression. Continuous use can also cause severe sleeping and eating disorder. Cocaine users who stopped using the drug experience withdrawal symptoms which are more psychological than physiological. These symptoms include depression and anxiety, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, inability to feel pleasure, increased craving for cocaine (WebMD, 2008). These withdrawal symptoms are accompanied by physical symptoms like aches, pains, tremors, and chills. Some users may experience suicidal thoughts during withdrawal. Usually, withdrawal symptoms from cocaine addiction last for one or two weeks. However, intense craving for cocaine may return, even years after the last use. Impact on social functioning One of the most important issues with cocaine addiction is that it affects the user’s social and family life. The hold of the addiction becomes so strong in the user that it causes them to lie to others and also themselves about being addicted. The addiction also causes the users to steal so that they can support the expensive cocaine habit. Users often miss work and school causing them to jeopardize their future for their cocaine addiction. Non recreational users are likely to eventually alienate family and friends. They become isolated and suspicious and most of their time and money is spent thinking about how to get more of the drug. To support their addiction, cocaine users often resort to lying, cheating, stealing and committing crimes of violence. Constant struggles with crime, law-enforcement and financial problems can cause breakdown in communities. Family and loved ones who were previously cherished are callously cast aside. Unlike empathogens like ecstacy which causes users to become more sociable and promotes trust and compassionate love, cocaine is a dopaminergic drug which has the reverse effect on users (Loren, 2008). Therefore, this drug is also called a ‘selfish’ drug. Compare and Contrast Prevention Approaches In the United States, prevention efforts for cocaine addiction have primarily focused on stopping cocaine imports from South America – mainly Peru and Columbia and educational programs promoting abstinence (Science, 1993). Although stopping cocaine import has achieved some success in breaking the powerful and wealthy interest groups that control the cultivation and trade of Erythroxylon leaves, the drug is still being sent to the United States and other countries across the world. One of the key factors in preventing cocaine abuse is the avoidance of softer ‘gateway drugs’ like alcohol and marijuana that eventually lead to the use of harder drugs like cocaine (Science, 1993). According to recent studies, the decline of cocaine use in the United States is directly correlated to educational programs that target young people and enhance their understanding of the dangers of this drug (Science, 1993). These educational programs were aimed at teaching young people to not give in to peer-pressure and say no to the drug. Parents also have a major role in this fight against cocaine abuse. They have the responsibility to be informed about the drug and encourage their children to stay abstinent. Therefore, educational programs promoting abstinence seems to be a better approach than efforts made towards prohibiting the use of the drug. Compare and Contrast Treatment Approaches Cocaine is often regarded as the toughest drug to quit utilizing because it causes numerous alterations to the brain making the user more dependent on the drug and harder to avoid temptations. Currently there is no standard treatment for cocaine addiction and treatments are usually customized to the individual’s changing need. Treatment for cocaine addiction involves medical detox which takes place in a controlled environment under close supervision of medical professionals. This helps to suppress withdrawal symptoms, diminish cravings and treat co-morbid conditions. Some treatments include physical healing program like walks on beach, meditation and following a daily meal plan to help recover physical health in the patient. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been found to be very effective in treating cocaine addiction. It aims to equip cocaine users with skills to identify situations that are potentially risky, avoid those risky situations and learn coping strategies that will enable them to deal with situations that give rise to temptations. Studies have revealed that monitoring biological markers is a valuable source of clinical information and feedback provided by drug screens is a powerful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in cocaine addiction (Grabowski, et. al., 1984). A recent study of a behavioral intervention using a version of the community reinforcement approach suggests that this approach holds promise for helping clients achieve abstinence (Higgins et al. 1991). Although treatment can be provided in institutionalized settings or on an out-patient basis, residential treatment has been found to be better especially during the early phase of treatment, since it removes the person from a tempting environment. However, studies reveal that patients who remain active during treatment for at least one year show better results in the long run. Family counseling has been found to be effective in mending the ties broken by the destructive nature of cocaine addiction and in addressing depression which is common during the withdrawal phase (Baker et. al., 2003). Based on these comparisons of treatment approaches, it can be concluded that there is still much scope for improvement in cocaine treatment options. References Baker, A., Kay-Lambkin, F., Lee, N.K., Claire, M. & Jenner, L. (2003). A Brief Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Regular Amphetamine Users. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ main/publishing.nsf/Content/7BCC605BECD47DE1CA256F190003FEEE/$File/cognitive-intervention.pdf Chen, K., Scheier, L.M. & Kandel, D.B. (1996). Effects of chronic cocaine use on physical health: a prospective study in a general population sample. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 43 (1-2), 23-37. Grabowski, J., Stitzer, M. & Henningfield, J. (1984). Behavioral Intervention Techniques in Drug Abuse Treatment. National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Monograph DHHS Pub. No. (ADM) 84-1282. Washington. Higgins, S.T., Delaney, D.D., Budney, A.J., Bickel, W.K., Hughes, J.R., Foerg, F. & Fenwick, J.W. (1991). Behavioral approach to achieving initial cocaine abstinence. American Journal of Psychiatry. 148(9), 1218-1224. Loren, K. (2008). Cocoa: In Search Of The Big Bang! Retrieved from http://www.chelationtherapyonline.com/articles/p237u.htm National center on addiction and substance abuse. (1994). National Study Shows "Gateway" Drugs Lead to Cocaine Use. Retrieved from http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/ archives/vol20/vol20_iss10/record2010.24.html Nordegren, T. (2002). The A-Z Encyclopedia of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Brown Walker Press. Florida. Psychology Today. (2008). Cocaine. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/ conditions/cocaine Science. (1993). Cocaine - Treatment and Prevention. Retrieved from http://science.jrank.org/ pages/ 1557/Cocaine-Treatment-prevention.html Science Daily. (2008). United States Has Highest Level of Illegal Cocaine And Cannabis Use. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080630201007.htm WebMD. (2008). Cocaine Use and its Effects. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/mental- health/cocaine-use-and-its-effects Read More