Cocaine Abuse and Addiction June, 2014 | Page 2

Introduction Cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs that have yet been discovered. Cocaine has negative affects and consequences in the human body and on the human health as well. It tries to gauge its effect on society. Heavy users are at risk of evolving tolerance to the consequences of the drug. Modern Usage In many countries, cocaine is a popular recreational drug prevalent across all socioeconomic strata, including age, demographics, economic, social, political, religious, and livelihood. The estimated U.S. cocaine market exceeded US$70 billion in street value for the year 2005. It was also reported in October 2010 that the use of cocaine in Australia has doubled since monitoring began in 2003. In the United States the manufacture, the 1970 Controlled Substances Act additionally regulates importation, possession, and distribution of cocaine. Some countries, such as Peru and Bolivia permit the cultivation of coca leaf for traditional consumption by the local indigenous population, but prohibit the production, sale and consumption of cocaine. In addition, some parts of Europe and Australia allow processed cocaine for medicinal uses only. Dangers Cocaine users, who inject the pharmaceutical, reveal themselves to added dangers that are related to contracting the human immunodeficiency virus. These diseases include hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other blood-borne virus. Injecting cocaine can also puncture the vessels in the forearm. Using it in the vein can also cause allergic reactions, which can also in some cases lead to death. If inhaled on a regular basis, cocaine can cause suppression of the sense of smell. Its crystals also cut the inner walls of the nose and cause it to bleed. It also causes problems with swallowing, hoarseness and general irritation in the nasal septum (the cartilage dividing the two airways in the nose). Oral absorption of cocaine, whereas, can cause gangrene in the intestines by reducing blood flow. Cocaine also causes loss of appetite, which causes weight loss. Its dependency may as well result in physiological damage, lethargy, psychosis, depression, akathisia, and fatal overdose. 1