Cocaine
Whether sniffed as a powder, injected as a liquid, or smoked (freebasing), cocaine acts as both a stimulant and a local anesthetic, producing a rush of euphoria and energy. Its effects wear off quickly, often leading users to take another dose in a short time. Cocaine is derived from the leaves of the South American coca bush. Crack cocaine, the purest form of the substance, is especially lethal because its effects are more intense and can lead to cardiac arrest.
The euphoria caused by cocaine use is intense but short-lived and usually followed by depression as the drug wears off. The drug causes the coronary arteries to constrict, boosting blood pressure and, with it, the risk of heart attack, stroke, and seizures. Regular use of cocaine often causes nervousness, insomnia, inability to concentrate, fatigue, depression, or anxiety; some people become aggressive, violent, or paranoid. Side effects include nausea and vomiting, bleeding of mucous membranes, and cold sweats. Cocaine also can cause hallucinations, abnormal heart rhythm, coma, and death.
A very ill person who is dependent on cocaine may need to be hospitalized. All people who are addicted to cocaine should seek counseling and rehabilitation to overcome their addiction.
