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Crack and Cocaine
What is it?
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that comes from
the leaves of the South American coca plant. Taking it makes people feel energetic and powerful at first, but then depressed, edgy and needing more.
What does it look like?
Cocaine is a white powder that
people either snort or dissolve and inject with a needle. Crack is a form of cocaine that's been chemically altered, and crystallized, so it can be smoked.
What does it do?
Cocaine, at first, makes people feel
energetic and powerful. As these feelings wear off, however, they quickly become depressed and edgyand they start really really craving more to get their high back.
Cocaine and crack are among
the most addictive drugs out there. Not only can these drugs harm your body, they can screw up your life to the point where all that matters is your next fix. Being high on cocaine and crack, or pursuing
the next hit, often results in violence, car crashes, falls, burns, and drowning. NCADI
People addicted to crack and cocaine often do risky things
they later regret. They may spend all their cash on cocaine and crack, and do any number of other things to support their habit such as stealing from people they love, getting involved in prostitution,
selling drugs, and doing all kinds of other illegal stuff. In their pursuit to feed the crack and cocaine addiction, users hurt the people around them and often end up alone.
Cocaine and crack
use is often portrayed on TV and in movies. Do you think the media gives the real story? Check out our guidelines for analyzing media and then go to our pop culture section to put your new skills to the
test.
What does cocaine do to your body?
It speeds up your heart rate and increases your blood pressure. Your breathing becomes much faster. This kind of stuff can easily lead to
heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory failure. Brain seizures, where the oxygen supply to the brain is cut off, have been known to happen. And it lowers your immune system.
What does cocaine do to your brain?
High
doses of cocaine or prolonged use can trigger paranoia. Smoking crack cocaine can produce a particularly aggressive paranoid behavior in users. When addicted individuals stop using cocaine, they often
become depressed. This also may lead to further cocaine use to alleviate depression. Users will go all out to find more drugs. Eventually, they totally lose touch with reality and stop talking to friends
and family. Eating, sleeping, and relating to other people are no longer important to them. It's pretty ugly. NIDA
Cocaine can also make you violent or even make you do
bizarre repetitive motions. Some users sit and repetitively draw doodles or, in severe cases, pick at their skin over and over to try to get the bugs out they think are underneath.
Quick facts
Know the law. Cocaine and
crack are illegal substances. Depending on where you are caught, you could face high fines and jail time.
Get the facts right. Even one hit of crack or cocaine can be fatal.
Stay informed. Injecting cocaine can give you hepatitis and AIDS.
Ignore the myth. Crack and cocaine do not enhance sexual pleasure. Addicts often become unable to function sexually.
Be aware of the risks. Using drugs increases the risk of injury. Violence, car crashes, falls, burns, drowning, and suicide are all linked to drug use.
Keep your edge. Drug use can ruin your
looks, make you depressed, and contribute to slipping grades.
Play it safe. One incident of drug use could lead to addiction or even death.
Do the smart thing. Using drugs puts your
health, education, family ties, and social life at risk. Get with the program. Doing drugs isn't "in."
Face your problems. Using drugs won't help you escape your problems, it will
only create more.
Be a real friend. If you know someone with a drug problem, be part of the solution. Urge your friend to get help.
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