Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine has long had a reputation for being something of a frivolous drug used only by socialites. But it is now cheaper than ever and is being used by greater numbers of people in the United Kingdom. The effects of taking cocaine can be very damaging on the individual and it is a substance that many people come to be addicted to.

It is produced from the leaves of the coca plant indigenous to South and Central America and the trade of cocaine has contributed to plenty of unrest in that part of the world. It is available in two basic forms: a fine powder (usually just called cocaine or coke, charlie or snow in slang) and in larger crystals (known as crack). The powder version is snorted into the nasal passage and the crystals are usually smoked through a small pipe.

Cocaine in all its forms is a stimulant so using it produces a powerful feeling of euphoria and intense liveliness. The effects are short-lived, however (about half an hour when snorted and as little as ten minutes when smoked), and users then experience paranoia and a degree of depression. This comes with a sense that only more cocaine will make them feel better again. As tolerance builds up, users find they need more and more of the drug. During periods when they are not taking it, such as during the day, users often experience high rates of lethargy and depression. This is not to mention cocaine psychosis which can afflict heavy users of the drug and mean that they lose their sense of reality. The consequences of this can be extremely dire as behaviour becomes unpredictable to say the least.

The possession and supply of cocaine in the United Kingdom is illegal and stiff penalties, including custodial sentences, are often imposed. Using it also carries the risk of heart attacks and strokes because of the speeding up of the heart rate that it induces. Loss of appetite and libido are common amongst users of cocaine too.

It is easy to become addicted to cocaine, especially if you are in a situation where lots of your peers are using it. The negative side effects are often not immediately visible and you might find that you are slipping into the habit of using on a regular basis but still considering yourself to be a casual user.

Help and counselling is available for users of cocaine to help them to understand the nature of their habit and prevent them from getting into a situation where they are tempted to take the drug again. Explaining the nature of your problem to your GP will help him or her to ascertain whether you need to be admitted to a clinic or undergo therapy to beat the addiction to cocaine. Never feel that you are alone with your problems; there are experts out there who can sensitively and effectively help you through.