Cocaine Abuse
Alternate Names : Cocaine Addiction
What can be done to prevent the condition?
More education is needed for people at high risk of dependence on cocaine. This education needs to begin in childhood so that people can form healthy attitudes and understand the risks of drug use. Reducing society's tolerance of drug abuse can also help to deter cocaine use.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Serious physical decline will occur with long-term cocaine use. These effects may be due to the drug itself or to the lifestyle associated with the cocaine use. Long-term effects can include:
arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms
breathing problems and respiratory failure
chest pain
chronic abdominal pain and nausea
chronic headaches
cocaine psychosis and other psychiatric disorders
heart attack
hematomas of the nasal septum
increased risk for infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV
neurological problems, including cognitive impairments
stroke
seizures
When an individual takes cocaine and alcohol at the same time, the toxicity of both drugs is increased. The combination of cocaine and alcohol is the leading cause of drug-related deaths from mixtures of drugs.
What are the risks to others?
If a woman uses cocaine during her pregnancy, her baby may be born with cocaine dependency. The infant is also more likely to have a low weight at birth or be born prematurely. Infants can be stillborn or have birth defects. As the child grows up, he or she may have subtle learning and behavior problems.
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