Cocaine is one of the most highly addictive drugs and it is derived from the leaves of coca plant Cocaine is one of the most highly addictive drugs and is derived from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylum Coca) that is native to South America.

Cocaine Addiction

It is an illegal drug, although it has been used for medical purposes such as local anesthesia. There are around 15,000 Americans that die from cocaine addiction every year. An addiction to cocaine can happen to anyone, and with so many people becoming addicted to it, here are the facts you need to know.

What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine is made by processing coca leaves and soaking them in water with lime to release the alkaloids. Next, a solvent is added such as diesel or kerosene to recover the alkaloids, and then it is dried to make a paste. To increase the purity of the cocaine, chemicals like sulfuric acid can be added. To make a kilo of cocaine paste it takes around 100-150 kilos of dry cocoa leaves.

Pure cocaine is white, but there are other forms such as crack cocaine, a freebase form, and cocaine hydrochloride. The freebase form contains baking soda and other impure products while cocaine hydrochloride is used for medical purposes. Common names of cocaine are the following:

• Blow
• Foo-foo dust
• Rock
• Iron
• Her
• Barbs
• King’s habit
• Snow
• Peruvian lady

Common names for crack cocaine are:

• Rock
• Crack
• Cavvy
• Beam
• Bopper
• Girl
• Seven-Up

Effects of Cocaine

Cocaine is an upper and interacts with the brain by stimulating the neurotransmitter dopamine. It is one of the only drugs that interact with the brain almost immediately and produces effects. When taken, the amount of dopamine is increased creating an elevated mood and energy. Many people will experience restlessness and feel stronger while on cocaine.

Cocaine Overdose

When a person is addicted to a drug, their tolerance builds and they need more of the drug to get the same feelings. Increased dosages of a drug always have the potential of creating an overdose. “The main problem with cocaine is that it causes unpredictable constriction of blood vessels in the body, causing reduced or loss of supply of blood to vital organs like the kidneys, liver, brain, and heart.” Negative effects of a cocaine overdose can be organ damage, stroke, life-threatening seizures.

The purity of street-bought cocaine always fluctuates. It can be weak one time so the user needs a higher dosage, but if they get a higher purity the next time and use the same dosage, it can cause an overdose and even death. Symptoms and signs of overdose include seizures, irregular breathing, high blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and heart failure.

Get Help for Cocaine Addiction at Wellness Retreat Recovery

Treatment of cocaine addiction is detox and treatment at a drug rehab facility to get the best results and care. For more information on cocaine addiction, call the Wellness Retreat at 1-855-SOBER-WR