Drug Abuse is generally defined as the use of a drug with such frequency that the user has physical or mental harm or it impairs social abilities. The substances that are discussed in this report are called psychoactive drugs; those drugs that influence or alter the workings of the mind, affect moods, emotions, feelings, and thinking processes. .
Drug Dependence/Addiction.
There are three basic characteristics that indicate that the user is dependent on a drug. First, the user continues to use the drug for an extended period of time. Second, the user finds it difficult to stop using the drug. They may drop out of school, steal, go to jail, lose their jobs, or leave their families in order to keep using. Finally, the user has withdrawal symptoms when drug use is stopped. They may undergo physical pain or mental distress. The drug mimics a natural process in the brain called neurotransmission. This is when a brain cell releases a signal to another brain cell. The signal then returns to the first brain cell. The signal is called a neurotransmitter. One major neurotransmitter is called dopamine, which is involved in feelings of pleasure. When the drug is released into the brain, it blocks the dopamine from returning to the first brain cell. Repeated use changes the brain cells so that normal messages can't be sent between brain cells. The drug must always be present in order for neurotransmissions to take place. The user is only able to feel pleasure from the cocaine rather than the things he/she used to find pleasurable. This is called drug addiction or dependence. .
Drug Classification.
Drugs are generally categorized into two groups, stimulants and depressants. Stimulants are drugs that speed up signals through the nervous system. They produce alertness, arousal and excitability. They also inhibit fatigue and sleep. They include the amphetamines, such as cocaine, caffeine, and nicotine. Depressants slow down the signals through the nervous system.
Cocaine Is it just a mental addiction? ... Most people today are aware of the dangers of cocaine addiction, but still more individuals are using cocaine frequently and in greater amounts. ... Cocaine hydrochloride is the scientific name for the powdery white form of cocaine that is used intranasally or intravenously" (Weiss 169). ... "Cocaine is a stimulant drug. ... Why is cocaine a major pleasure drug? ...
The drink coca cola was developed in 18886 by John Pemberton, this drink contained cocaine and caffeine, but in 1906 the cocaine was removed from this drink. In the Harrison Narcotic Act in 1914 cocaine was made illegal. ... Short term affects of cocaine Short term affect of cocaine is that you feel a rush of pleasure and well-being, you also have more energy and are more alert. ... What cocaine is: Cocaine is formed by a white crystalline powder. ... Most cocaine addicts do not have jobs and turn to crime to gain this money. ...
Cocaine Abuse Cocaine is a substance that has been around for thousands of years and still remains highly abused today. ... Cocaine is used in various forms. ... The second form is crack cocaine or "freebase" which is the solid form of cocaine and is smoked. ... Cocaine has a big effect on society. ... The second solution for cocaine abuse is by acquainting young people with the dangers of cocaine. ...
Cocaine Use During Pregnancy Speech Outline What is Cocaine? Cocaine is a drug extracted from the leaves of the coca plant. ... What are the effects of Cocaine? ... How does cocaine hurt an unborn baby? Cocaine is the most dangerous drug to use when pregnant. ...
Cocaine is prepared from a loaf of coca bush, which grows in Peru. ... This excitement was soon replaced when documented reports began to circulate of fatal cocaine poisoning and cocaine addiction. ... Cocaine is usually sold on the street as a salt. ... Cocaine in the form of powder is "snorted". ... Large amounts of cocaine could cause violent behavior. ...
Cocaine is an alkaloid obtained from leaves of the coca plant and used medically as an anesthetic. ... Cocaine is classified as a narcotic for legal purposes by the United States government. ... More rarely, cocaine is injected into a vein. ... Cocaine was first isolated in 1855 and came to be used widely as an anesthetic in minor surgery. ... To help cure the addiction to cocaine, scientists have found a way to maybe prevent highs when using cocaine. ...
Cocaine is an alkaloid obtained from leaves of the coca plant and used medically as a local anesthetic. ... Cocaine has long been known as a drug of abuse, but it projected in the late 1970s and the 1980s. ... More rarely, cocaine is injected into a vein. ... It was not until 1844 or later that cocaine was first isolated in pure form from coca leaves. ... Presently, cocaine has limited therapeutic uses because of its toxicity and potential for abuse. ...
Cocaine, especially crack cocaine, became prevalent in the mid-1980s and received massive media attention due in part to sudden deaths resulting from the use of cocaine. ... Crack cocaine is made by taking cocaine powder and cooking it with baking soda and water until it forms a hard substance. ... These laws that give harsher penalties to users of crack cocaine than to users of powder cocaine are extremely unfair Defendants convicted of selling 500 grams of powder cocaine or five grams of crack cocaine receive five-year sentences. ... The sentences should not be that much different even if t...
The topic of this paper and the item of discussion in our sections is the question of whether the penalties for crack and powder cocaine should be the same or should they stay the way they are now. Right now possession of five hundred grams of powder cocaine has the same penalty as possession of five grams of crack cocaine. The critics view is that this law is discriminative to African Americans because African American drug dealers prefer crack to powder cocaine, therefore causing harsher penalties for African Americans who deal crack and Caucasian Americans who deal cocaine. This is a hum...
Crack is the street name of the freebase form of cocaine it is maden from the powdered cocaine hydrochloride to a smokable form. ... The cocaine addict must give up not only cocaine, they must give up using alcohol and marijuana because other drugs can create a strong desire for cocaine. ... Cocaine addicts should be strongly encouraged yo participate 12-step program of Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or alcoholic anonymous (AA). Self-help meetings are an invaluable source for cocaine treatment. ... addiction types 1st paragraph why people become addicted to drugs ...