Cocaine Addiction

First and foremost Cocaine is a Class A drug for very good reason, to prove how illegal this class of drug is, the law states that the penalty for possession, (the law does not regard whether it is for your own use or to give it away), you could be looking to serve a maximum of 7 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine and the maximum penalty for supply is life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

The source of Cocaine comes from the leaves of the cocoa plant. Cocaine is generally sold on the street as a fine, white, crystalline powder, it can also known as Coke, C, Charlie, Dust or White. It is common for the street dealer to dilute Cocaine with other powders such as cornstarch, talcum powder, sugar or other stimulants for example amphetamines.

People continue to take Cocaine for several reported feelings these include euphoria, confidence, alertness and hyper-stimulation, some of the more negative reported feelings are erratic behaviour, paranoia, violent and psychotic behaviour. Either way any pleasurable feelings one receives from taking Cocaine are very quick to wear off; the come-down off of a Cocaine high include depression, which can last up to four days after the last dose.

All of these ‘symptoms’ are a product of the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which is responsible for movement and pleasure and inhibits the reabsorbing of it, over stimulating the brain.

One extremely detrimental Cocaine abuse symptom is obsession or craving. Once a person has become addicted to Cocaine, their mind and body have an obsession with the drug that is curbed only when the drug is found and used. Cocaine can become both physically and psychologically addictive because of its interaction with the brain's dopamine levels. People develop tolerance to Cocaine and greater quantities of the drug are needed to produce the wanted euphoric effects.