dg-chapter 6 section 3 text

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Cocaine _______________________________________________

Cocaine comes from the leaves of the South American coca plant. In its purest form, it is a white crystalline powder that is extracted from the coca leaves. Raw cocaine must be put through several chemical processes before the extract of the coca leaves is transformed into its characteristic white powder form. Coca leaves (not to be confused with cocoa) of South America have been chewed for thousands of years to extract the stimulant. Once viewed as a miracle substance, cocaine was used as a tonic, an anesthetic and an ingredient in Coca-Cola. However, cocaine was soon recognized as an extremely addictive substance and in 1914 its use was outlawed. Cocaine is a powerfully antidepressant that blocks pain sensation and stimulates the central nervous system. Its short term effects result in constriction of peripheral blood vessels, pupil dilation and increased blood pressure and heart rate. It also interferes with the reabsorption process of dopamine, a chemical messenger associated with pleasure and movement. The symptoms that users feel are an initial “rush” or high. You remember what a “rush” is…that multiple orgasm thingie. Actually, the “rush” occurs when the drug stimulates the brain, more specifically the pleasure centers of the hypothalamus. A cocaine high was once described to me as blasting off the ground to 20,000 feet, staying there for three or four minutes and gradually descending back to earth. After the user gets back to earth or comes down off the high, he generally feels somewhat dispirited and at times melancholic. This gloominess many times motivates the user to get high again. Cocaine is also a strong appetite suppresser and can cause extreme anorexia. Many cocaine users experience significant weight losses due to both the anorexic and stimulating effects of the drug. Cocaine can be snorted, sniffed, swallowed, injected, or smoked. Habitual snorting can result in serious damage to the nasal mucous membranes. As cocaine abuse continues and tolerance builds up, users will begin to experience long term cocaine effects. Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that can lead to many medical complications such as heart disease, respiratory failure, strokes, seizures and various gastrointestinal complications. Other physical effects are convulsions, nausea, blurred vision, chest pain, fever, muscle spasms and coma. The pure chemical cocaine hydrochloride has been an abused stimulant for over 100 years and the coca leaves, the source of cocaine, has been abused and ingested for thousands of years. Actually, the use of cocaine is somewhat limited in the United States due to the high cost of the drug and its availability. One hit of pure cocaine can cost as much as $100. Pure cocaine is called “the rich man’s drug.”


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