Heroin Versus Cocaine

How to Help Someone Addicted to Cocaine

Knowing how to help a friend, family member, peer, or coworker with an addiction to cocaine is difficult. Addiction can take a serious toll on relationships, making a conversation about addiction treatment even more challenging. While this type of ...

... short-acting stimulant drug produced from the coca plant. 2 Also known as coke, blow, and snow, cocaine is a highly addictive drug that looks like fine, white powder. Cocaine is usually snorted , injected , or smoked. 2 ... continue reading

Can You Get Addicted to Cocaine After the First Use?

How Addictive Is Cocaine? Drugs like cocaine have reputations for being extremely addictive, but still many people will want to try them “just once.” It's easy to wonder, “just how addictive is cocaine (really)?” Cocaine is a very addictive ...

... cardiac event . Mixing cocaine (a stimulant) with a depressant like heroin (a mixture referred to ... cocaine. Each person's path from one line of coke to addiction, tolerance, and dependence is unique to them. As cocaine ... continue reading

Cocaine Anonymous (CA) Meetings, 12 Steps, and Addiction Treatment

Cocaine addiction is a complex disease that has significant short- and long-term implications for a person's physical and mental health. 1 Treating cocaine addiction often involves behavioral interventions such as individual, family, and group-based ...

... CA meetings are hosted daily in many parts of the U.S., across the globe, and online. When joining Cocaine Anonymous, people typically find a group in their local community. This group is considered the Home Group and is ... continue reading

Cocaine Addiction Treatment and Rehab Programs

Cocaine use and addiction can be dangerous for a person's physical and mental health and have a detrimental impact on their life. If you or someone you care about is struggling with cocaine addiction, you know how difficult it can be to stop using ...

... of the coca plant, found in many parts of South America. 2 When it's in powdered form, people snort cocaine, rub it on their gums, or mix it with water and inject it directly into the bloodstream. People also smoke ... continue reading

What Is Crack Cocaine? Side Effects, Crack Withdrawal, and Addiction Treatment

What Is Crack Cocaine? Crack cocaine is an addictive stimulant drug that is the rock crystal form of powdered cocaine. 1,2,5 Crack cocaine is a more potent form of cocaine that is processed so that it can be smoked, which provides an immediate high. ...

... the drug makes when it is smoked. 2 Crack may also be referred to as rock, freebase, raw, or hard cocaine. 4,5 Crack cocaine is white or off-white in color and a solid rock formation in varying sizes and shapes, while ... continue reading

Effects of Cocaine Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, & Side Effects

Cocaine is a Schedule II illegal stimulant drug that is highly addictive. It is often used recreationally, and there is a range of dangers associated with the use of cocaine. This page will talk about: What cocaine is and how it is used. Cocaine's ...

... How the way it is ingested can impact the side effects of cocaine use. Cocaine overdose. Treatment options for cocaine addiction. What Is Cocaine? Cocaine is a stimulant drug that is derived from the South American coca ... continue reading

Cocaine Addiction Side Effects, Symptoms, Withdrawal, and Treatment

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug that comes in the form of a white powder which is commonly snorted, smoked, or injected. 1 Its popularity as a recreational substance is in part due to its perceived positive effects on mood, ...

... withdrawal from drugs such as alcohol and opioids . 10 Mixing Cocaine With Other Drugs Sometimes people use cocaine with other substances such as alcohol, heroin , and marijuana . These combinations can be dangerous and ... continue reading

Cocaine Overdose Symptoms, Signs, Prevention, and Addiction Treatment

Cocaine overdose can be a serious concern for anyone who uses cocaine. This article will help you understand what a cocaine overdose is, cocaine overdose effects, and potential risk factors for cocaine overdose. We will also discuss what you can do ...

... overdose can substantially increase if you use cocaine in combination with other substances, such as alcohol or heroin . 2 Cocaine Overdose Statistics Cocaine (including crack cocaine ) use statistics from the Results of ... continue reading

Cocaine Use During Pregnancy

Cocaine use during pregnancy has the potential to harm both mother and baby, and the effects may be long-lasting. 1 Research estimates that there are about 750,000 pregnancies that are exposed to cocaine every year. 1 This means that a mother may ...

... and the effects may be long-lasting. 1 Research estimates that there are about 750,000 pregnancies that are exposed to cocaine every year. 1 This means that a mother may use the drug before she even knows she is pregnant ... continue reading

Cocaine History and Statistics

The History of Cocaine Cocaine is a drug derived from the South American coca plant ( Erythoxylon coca ). It is a powerful stimulant and popular recreational drug . However, there are legitimate medical uses for cocaine as a topical anesthetic used ...

... 9.7%) or hispanics (11.6%). The Monitoring the Future survey of drug use in adolescents found that the rate of cocaine use among high schools seniors has fallen over the last 15 years and stood at 2.6% in 2014—the lowest ... continue reading

Country vs. City Addictions: Are They Different?

Urban and rural addicts don't seem to have a whole lot in common, according to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In gathering data for this particular study, researchers looked at addiction ...

... of a family member or friend (22.8 percent versus 38.7 percent). Urban addicts were more likely to ... traditional street drugs like heroin and cocaine. Around 21.8 percent of city addicts say heroin is their drug of choice ... continue reading

Drugs on Mars and Venus

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus is one of the most iconic books of the '90s, having sold more than 50 million copies. Its core theory is that men and women often think and act in dramatically different ways because of fundamental differences ...

... women (18.9 versus 19.9), but women try heroin four years, four months earlier than men (26.9 versus 31), despite the ... them to get their hands on marijuana, cocaine , crack, LSD, or heroin, the story flipped in the other ... continue reading

Drugs and Devotion

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Why do some people seem compelled to experiment and others live their entire lives without ever taking a single puff, snort, sniff, or dose of an illicit substance? Thanks to decades of social studies, we now know ...

... 0.2 years). The biggest difference is seen in crack cocaine and heroin: On, average, believers who try these drugs do so ... past year than those who did not (54.6% versus 36.7%). In fact, considerably fewer people who took ... continue reading

Drug Arrests Across America

The Current Drug Landscape An estimated 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or over used an illicit drug in 2013. That's 9.4% of the population. 1 The number was similar in 2012 (9.2%), and in that year the FBI reports that there were 1.5 million drug ...

... charges were male, as were 85% and 84% of heroin and cocaine offenders respectively. The next city on our list is ... down since 2009 (120 pieces of police evidence in 2013 versus a high of 868 in 2009). Coming Soon We began ... continue reading

Overdosed

The United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths: every year, nearly 44,000 lives are tragically lost, with more than half of the fatalities caused by prescription drugs. We've analyzed the latest government data to find out why ...

... more likely to occur at home than those involving heroin or cocaine. This is a worrisome finding. The chance of ... We can track the proportion of intentional versus unintentional prescription medication deaths using the CDC ... continue reading

Ibogaine: Can it Cure My Addiction?

What does it take to quit using heroin or other opioids? This is a question that is very much on the minds of millions of Americans. The scientific community continues to look for the best way to quit using drugs and everyone wants to know what will ...

... Office previously claimed that ibogaine helped treat opiate , cocaine , and poly-drug dependence disorders. In fact, ... and cons of seeking this form of treatment versus other, more widely accepted and more accessible forms ... continue reading

A Closer Look at the History and Use of Cocaine

Cocaine is a popular CNS (central nervous system) stimulant that is naturally derived from the cocoa plant, which is most commonly grown in South America's Andean region. Though its proper chemical name is benzoylmethyl ecgonine (C17H21NO4), users ...

... America's Andean region. Though its proper chemical name is benzoylmethyl ecgonine (C17H21NO4), users refer to cocaine as coke, snow, blow, nose candy, dust, white lady, toot, and a host of other names. The Basics of ... continue reading

From Snort to Synapse: We Map Out Cocaine's Trip in Your Brain

The powder is perfectly lined on the table. With no straw handy, you roll up a Washington and seconds later, the snow is gone. Inhaled into your nostril, this stimulant drug has started a trip that will change your brain… forever. What does this ...

... and/or paranoia Changing You Forever in a Moment Researchers have intently studied this coke trip under the microscope; they tell us a single dose of cocaine changes your brain's reward center. And that's partly why it's ... continue reading

Drug Abuse and Cardiovascular Health Risks: How Do Drugs Affect the Heart?

What Are the Dangers of Drug Use? Both illicit and prescription drugs present many risks to individuals who misuse them. Drug abuse affects the brain in many ways that may lead to unpredictable, dangerous behaviors, social and emotional problems, ...

... and prescription drugs, such as: 2 Cocaine (coke, crack ). Amphetamines (prescription stimulants like ... some additives and contaminants in street drugs like heroin and cocaine may not be fully dissolved before injection. ... continue reading

Crack Cocaine’s Effect on the Brain (Simple Animation)

“Crack is whack”—that much is widely understood and accepted. But, what exactly is crack? How is crack different from cocaine? Is it possible that crack gets a bad rap, or is it as lethal as it seems? AsapSCIENCE breaks down what we need to ...

... a powder to a solid. The new solid resembles a rock, hence the term “crack rock.” Why do people smoke crack cocaine , and how does the drug interact with the body when it's absorbed through the lungs? Because crack has a ... continue reading

Cocaine Could Mess With Your Brain's Ability to Recognize Sadness and Fear

Cocaine is a stimulant drug with a reputation for making people more social but, in reality, it tends to make users paranoid and insufferable. And according to a new study , this may be in part because people who use cocaine are less capable of ...

... they were seriously sad or just a little angry. Researchers also found that the subjects who had taken cocaine had increased heart rates and higher levels of cortisol, the hormone that regulates how the body responds to ... continue reading

Women Are More Likely to Get Hooked on Cocaine—But Why?

Women are generally more vulnerable to cocaine addiction than men, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications. They're also more likely to use cocaine at an earlier age, take drugs in larger quantities, and have ...

... , used male and female mice—they have the same brain organization and dopamine system as humans—to observe how cocaine use affects the brain's reward pathway. What her team found was that the increased estrogen levels in ... continue reading

Take the Backdoor: Why Your Brain Can't Refrain From Cocaine

Ted just snorted 2 lines of cocaine. If we could see inside his brain, we'd see some pretty alarming results. The blood vessels of Ted's brain are shrinking and blood flow is restricted, diminishing his ability to think, remember, and function. ...

... new pathway (or backdoor) means that, once Ted is addicted, he may not even be aware of his desire to use cocaine. Much like the lab rats, Ted will eventually lose control of his compulsion to “just say no.” He'll start ... continue reading

Dangerous Additives: What's Really in Your Cocaine?

Cocaine is one of the most lethal illegal substances. This can be explained by the extraordinary psychoactive and biological effects of the drug. Cocaine is the single most powerful central nervous system stimulant. At high doses, it can stop the ...

... supply. The United Kingdom's Forensic Science Service reported an average purity of just 26.4% in their 2000+ cocaine seizures for 2013, down from 45% in 2005. Here we will highlight some of the more insidious additives ... continue reading

Cocaine Relapse Warning Signs, Prevention, and Addiction Treatment

Why Is Cocaine So Addictive? According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 1.3 million Americans met the criteria for cocaine addiction as outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ...

... create a plan of action for what to do in the event of an actual relapse. If you have recently relapsed on cocaine, do not give up. Here are some steps you can take to get back on track toward long-term recovery: 3,7 ... continue reading

Free Cocaine Addiction Hotline Numbers

Call American Addiction Centers now at What Is Cocaine Addiction? Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that can hook users with its rewarding high and eventually lead them down a dangerous path toward addiction. 1 The hallmark of any addiction is that a ...

... at . Calling for a Loved One? If you're calling for someone you care about who has a cocaine addiction, it can help to have some information ready beforehand, including: How long they've been abusing substances. Which ... continue reading

Cocaine Addiction: Have Scientists Finally Found a Cure?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that an estimated 1.5 million Americans use cocaine. In 2015, our nation saw more than 6,700 cocaine-related deaths. Research indicates that around 40% of drug-related emergency department visits involve ...

... is an extremely addictive stimulant. Its use can produce perceived positive effects on mood, motivation, and energy. A cocaine high is a pretty short-lived high, and this means that it's frequently used in what's known ... continue reading

Concurrent Alcohol and Cocaine Abuse

Concurrent Alcohol and Cocaine Abuse Cocaine is a profoundly addictive stimulant drug that produces euphoria, increased energy, and talkativeness. It is most often snorted or dissolved in water and injected into a vein. Due to the short duration of ...

... . on its site. You can also check out the following DrugAbuse.com articles: The Effects of Cocaine Use Cocaine History and Statistics Cocaine Overdose The Effects of Alcohol on the Body If you are addicted to alcohol and ... continue reading

Your Brain on Drugs: Studying Cocaine's Effect on Blood Flow

Stimulant drugs like cocaine can cause serious blood flow problems within the brain. When there is an insufficient flow of rich, oxygenated blood to the brain, it can result in aneurysm-like bleeding and strokes. Researchers have developed a new ...

... end, the new brain mapping technology allowed researchers to capture a much wider range of blood flow speeds. Cocaine on the Brain Doctors and researchers are always searching for better ways to understand drugs such as ... continue reading

Russian Roulette: The Hidden Dangers of Cutting Agents in Cocaine and Heroin

In the United States, more than 47,000 people die from drug overdoses every year . To make matters worse, drug deaths have recently surpassed both automobile and firearm accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in the country. There's no ...

... , many are getting much more than they bargained for. The Average Purity of Cocaine and Heroin Over Time Although cocaine and heroin have been in circulation since the 1800s, the drugs look and impact people differently ... continue reading

Rapper’s Shocking On-Stage Antics are Cause for Concern

A Florida rapper by the name of “Stitches” has earned a name for himself as of late, but for all the wrong reasons. The joker-like face tattoos are enough to take most people aback, but it's the lyrics to Stitches' music and his on-stage ...

... lyrics. In it, Stitches brags about his coke-dealing past and says things like “Better have my money when I come to collect” and “I love selling blow!” He also raps about selling cocaine to “pregnant b*tches” in another ... continue reading

Common Street Names for Drugs

People actively misusing legal or illicit substances use slang terms for many reasons—ranging from avoiding detection by law enforcement to ensuring privacy in written and verbal communication. If you suspect that someone you love is misusing ...

... include: Blow Bump C Charlie Coke Snow Toot Coca Soda Cot Street Names for Crack Crack Cocaine —The ... Morpho Unkie White Stuff Oxycodone Oxycodone : Hillbilly Heroin Kicker O.C Oxycet Oxycotton Oxy Percs Roxy Oxymorphone ... continue reading

Common Neurological Risks of Drug Abuse

Brain Damage From Drugs While substance misuse may cause a user to feel short-lived euphoria or impart a sense of temporary wellbeing, the adverse effects of drugs can be dangerous and, in some instances, may lead to permanent brain damage. Chronic ...

... system (CNS) stimulants , such as cocaine and methamphetamine, speed up brain activity, blood pressure, and ... —as well as illicit drugs like heroin . Research suggests that long-term heroin use can cause the white matter ... continue reading

30 Famous Athletes Who Have Battled Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

1. Michael Phelps Eight-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps has not only plunged into the water, but also into drugs. In 2009, he lost his endorsement contract with Kellogg's after a photo emerged of him taking a hit of marijuana . 2. ...

... the Boston Celtics, two days later died of a cocaine overdose . 11. Marcus Camby Toronto Raptor Marcus Camby was ... having struggled with drugs early on in his rookie season—”coke was the only bright spot in my future,” he ... continue reading

Let’s Talk Truth: Exactly How Long Do Drugs Stay in Your System?

If you throw back a beer on Friday night, it's out of your system by Monday morning. But, what about other drugs? Most drugs linger a bit longer than alcohol. In fact, some of them stick around for a long time. This slower processing can surprise ...

... It's likely Joe and his friends just played their last game. Coke-Laiden Pink Slip After six months of searching, Kevin finally landed a great job. He uses cocaine frequently, but managed to pass his employer's drug test ... continue reading

I’m a Millionaire and I Need to Go to Rehab. Where Do I Go?

You've realized you have an issue, whether it's a heroin or coke addiction or a sex addiction, so you need to find somewhere nice to attend rehab. Naturally, you want somewhere that's a little more exclusive to avoid running into someone who might ...

You've realized you have an issue, whether it's a heroin or coke addiction or a sex addiction, so you need to find somewhere nice to attend rehab. Naturally, you want somewhere that's a little more exclusive to avoid ... continue reading

Effects of Ketamine Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, and Side Effects

Is Ketamine Dangerous? “It's easy to get ketamine abuse wrong because of its potency; it's more powerful than speed or coke weight for weight, so it's easy to accidentally overdose.” Like its sister drug CP, ketamine is a dissociative ...

... Ketamine Dangerous? “It's easy to get ketamine abuse wrong because of its potency; it's more powerful than speed or coke weight for weight, so it's easy to accidentally overdose.” Like its sister drug CP, ketamine is a ... continue reading

8 Tips for Coming Out of the Addiction Closet

To many, the term “alcoholic” carries a very negative connotation - one that implies being a loser or a failure. It's no mystery, then, why admitting such a thing is feared by so many. But “coming out” doesn't have to be a burdensome ...

... , I was better equipped at admitting my drinking problem and prison experience to strangers. Tip 6: Cushion the Blow Chances are, your friends and family already know that you have a drinking problem. Maybe it was the ... continue reading

Holiday Highs and Lows

For many Americans, the end of the year brings images of happy families gathered around a Christmas tree, big dinners of turkey and stuffing, holiday music, and cozy fires. For others, the holidays can be a much darker and more difficult time - a ...

... prove. Some individuals experience high amounts of chronic or temporary stress but choose not to drink. They may blow off steam in other ways, such as exercise. Others turn to alcohol when they become stressed. For those ... continue reading

Crack History and Statistics

Crack cocaine is a highly addictive drug of abuse that has intense stimulant properties. Typically, the user will feel a rush of excitement and energy that accompanies the euphoric delivered by the substance. Crack is a type of cocaine. This means ...

... late 1970s in the US that brought about the development of crack. During this time, the US market was flooded with cocaine to the point that there was more of the drug than people to consume it. This high supply led to a ... continue reading

IV Drug Use: Signs, Dangers, and Treatment

Injection is a method used by individuals who misuse drugs to obtain a quick and powerful effect. 1 Intravenous (IV) injection, or injection into a vein, is the practice referred to throughout this article as IV drug use. Injection into a vein or ...

... ). Common Intravenous Drugs of Abuse Intravenous drug abuse is largely limited to 3 main drug types: heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. 2 However, nearly any type of drug—particularly those that come in tablet or pill ... continue reading

If Old Drug Ads Told the Truth

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Through the late 19th century and mid-20th century, many of today's illicit drugs of abuse were available legally in the United States. Products containing cocaine, heroin, or amphetamine were readily available for ...

... many of today's illicit drugs of abuse were available legally in the United States. Products containing cocaine, heroin, or amphetamine were readily available for over-the-counter purchase - no prescription required. We ... continue reading

Lethal Drug Combinations to Avoid

What Are the Deadliest Drug Combos? Combining drugs (“polysubstance abuse”) is both common and potentially dangerous. There are various reasons why individuals use substances in combination. For some, the activity is done haphazardly, without ...

... a user may feel less drowsy if they have used cocaine with heroin, but this deception is a mere smokescreen. The reason for ... individual's risk of addiction and the speed at which addiction develops. Secondly, particular ... continue reading

Concurrent Alcohol and Crack Abuse

Concurrent Alcohol and Crack Abuse In the mid 1980s, crack cocaine use exploded across the United States. In 1974, 5 million people had tried cocaine. By 1985, more than 22 million people had tried cocaine, with more than half of them reporting ...

... ). Signs and Symptoms of Crack and Alcohol Abuse Crack speeds up the body's metabolism, which means that it ... Teen Drinking and Crack Abuse Although use of crack cocaine among teens has been declining in recent years, 31 ... continue reading

Drugs A-Z

What Is Acamprosate? Acamprosate is thought to help recovering alcoholics stay sober by balancing inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission. Acamprosate may be combined with behavioral therapy to decrease a person's chances of relapse and ...

... , as well as as a transdermal patch. What Is Cocaine? Cocaine is a Schedule II stimulant drug . It is associated ... Learn about the effects of hash use . What Is Heroin? Heroin is an illicit drug known to induce feelings of ... continue reading

Health Effects of Drug Misuse and Addiction

Substance misuse and addiction can have serious short- and long-term effects. 1 The physical effects of drugs and alcohol vary according to the type of substance, duration of use, and method of administration. 1 Recovering from addiction can be a ...

... widespread effects. 12 Commonly misused substances may speed or slow down heart rate, increase or ... other sites on the body may be used. 21 Heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine are some of the most commonly injected drugs ... continue reading

Sentencing by State 2

have led to overcrowded facilities, skyrocketing prison costs, and major social, economic, and political impacts. Currently, nearly half of all inmates in federal prisons are serving sentences for drug offenses. Many are fathers and mothers who miss ...

... that abuse and availability rates are markedly higher in the Western United States. Heroin was the most common in 10 states, while powder cocaine was the most prevalent drug in five states (Florida, Michigan, New York ... continue reading

Famous Drug Abusers

Drug and Alcohol Addiction: A Disease that Touches Everyone According to data from the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 22.7 million Americans need treatment for a drug or alcohol problem. And though it may sound cliché, ...

... addiction. He eventually lost the battle, dying from a speedball overdose in 1982 brought on by a combination of heroin and cocaine. Robin Williams : A superb comedian and actor, Williams was open about his battles with ... continue reading

20 Genius Minds and the Drugs They Were Addicted To

Intelligence doesn't preclude people taking drugs any more than fame does. When those who are under stress need to relax, some turn to drugs or drink as an escape from reality. Others do it because they believe it enhances their creativity or allows ...

... so-called polite society. Naturally this involved taking large quantities of drugs, including heroin, mescaline, cocaine, solvents, and more cocaine. This doesn't include the usual gamut of alcohol and cannabis , either ... continue reading

Addiction Self-Assessment Quizzes for Drugs and Alcohol

Use the following self-assessment quizzes to better understand common signs, symptoms, and behavioral changes related to substance misuse and addiction. The questions used in the following self-assessments are based on the diagnostic criteria ...

... , it can be helpful in recognizing signs and symptoms of potential cocaine misuse. Heroin Addiction Self-Assessment Quiz This short heroin addiction self-assessment quiz is designed to help evaluate whether you may ... continue reading

12 of the Most Addictive Drugs

Addiction affects millions of lives in the U.S. It is a chronic disease that frequently includes cycles of relapse and remission, and it is progressive without treatment or participation in recovery work. It is characterized by being unable to ...

... seizures, strokes, and/or death. Many people use cocaine in binges, where they repeatedly take the drug in a ... keep using the drug. 20 Heroin Heroin is a very addictive opioid drug. Heroin can cause euphoria, altered ... continue reading

Why Don’t We Have Addiction Vaccines?

After three decades of research, people with addiction still have few medication options. While there are a handful of modestly effective FDA-approved drugs to treat alcohol, nicotine and opioid-use disorders, there are none at all for cocaine, ...

... — “it's a moral failing, not a medical disorder,” is the rationale — especially to illegal narcotics like heroin, cocaine and meth. 23 The good news is that vaccines are cheap, at least compared to other medications. If ... continue reading

The 9 Most Expensive Drugs in America

Each year, Americans spend nearly $100 billion on illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. These figures do not even account for the billions of dollars that are spent on prescription drugs each year—about $374 billion according ...

... sentences related to prescription drug use are comparable to crime related to illicit drug use such as heroin and cocaine. #4 Cocaine Cocaine has a reputation as a “rich man's drug.” At approximately $60 per gram, it is ... continue reading

What Drugs Cause the Most Insane Behavior?

Many substances that are addictive cause mental changes or unusual behavior. Even if a substance does not inherently have mind-altering properties, people who are addicted to it may display strange behavior if they need the drug are unable to obtain ...

... salts ate parts of another man's face in a brutal attack has drawn media attention to the drug. Cocaine Cocaine is an illegal, addictive drug that has stimulant properties. It is derived from the coca leaf, and it was ... continue reading

Dangers of Snorting and Sniffing Drugs

Different routes of administration like snorting, sniffing, smoking, or injecting when you are using drugs can produce various effects based on how quickly the drug is absorbed into the body and the bloodstream. 1 Methods like smoking or injecting ...

... called nasal insufflation. 2 To snort drugs, the substance needs to be in a powder form, such as cocaine or heroin , but prescription pills like Adderall or Vicodin can also be crushed and snorted. 2 People might also ... continue reading

25 Great Writers Who Battled Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Can Affect Anyone Some people are more susceptible to addiction than others, and writers are notorious for having some sort of addiction. Whether it's alcohol to numb the noise of the world or speed or LSD to “inspire” ...

... it's alcohol to numb the noise of the world or speed or LSD to “inspire” them, the bohemian yet lonely ... excessive drinking . Stephen King The master of horror and cocaine, King churned out thousands of pages of work year ... continue reading

Social Drug Use is Like Kryptonite to Healthy Relationships

Heather always feels awkward at parties. She's quiet and shy. She never knows what to say and finds it hard to interact with people in these intimidating settings. To help her “loosen up,” she tries smoking pot before going to a party. Once ...

... dates, he finds it difficult to approach anyone while at a bar or club. To overcome this inhibition, he snorts cocaine before going out with his friends. Suddenly, he meets lots of women. In fact, he's having sex with a ... continue reading

Warning: 3 Dangerous Suboxone Interactions to Avoid

Suboxone is a popular, prescription-only drug that effectively suppresses opioid cravings and reduces the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Although Suboxone has assisted thousands of individuals struggling with opioid addiction, the drug is not ...

... : By counteracting the effects of the other, combining Suboxone and cocaine produces two dangerous effects for users. As a stimulant, or “upper,” cocaine has shown to reduce the amount of buprenorphine in the bloodstream ... continue reading

Effects of Alcohol and Drugs on the Male and Female Reproductive Systems

How Do Drugs Affect the Reproductive System? Substance misuse can negatively impact the reproductive health of both sexes in several ways. It may contribute to serious health problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), infertility, and ...

... . Effects of Drugs on Pregnancy Women who use alcohol and other drugs while pregnant , including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana, risk harming their unborn children. 1 Drugs and alcohol can easily pass ... continue reading

The Scary Facts About Designer Drugs and Legal Highs

Read Time: 30 minutes Introduction What Are Designer Drugs and Legal Highs? The terms “designer drugs” and “legal highs” are used to refer to substances such as synthetic marijuana and “bath salts” that are engineered in laboratories to ...

... less addictive potential than some of the more classically thought of “drugs of abuse,” such as cocaine and heroin, people may still begin to manifest signs of compulsive drug-seeking and using behavior with these ... continue reading

Risks of Substance Abuse While Pregnant & Treatment Options

Drinking alcohol or using drugs while pregnant can cause a number of negative health outcomes for both mother and child. It can affect a growing fetus because substances travel easily from the placenta, creating great potential for harm. 4 While not ...

... drinks will be safe. Cocaine and Pregnancy Tracking the negative effects of cocaine use during pregnancy is a ... death. Learn more about the effects of using heroin while pregnant . Marijuana and Pregnancy Contrary to ... continue reading

Stimulant Detox, Withdrawal Symptoms, and Addiction Treatment

Stimulants are substances that increase the activity of several neurotransmitter systems throughout the brain and are capable of creating a state of heightened energy and alertness. Additionally, many stimulant drugs elevate physiological processes ...

... , and blood pressure. 1 Some common stimulants include: ADHD medications (amphetamine, methylphenidate). Cocaine/crack cocaine. Methamphetamine (including crystal meth). Signs of Withdrawal From Stimulants When a person ... continue reading

Effect of Drugs on the Kidneys: How Do Drugs Damage the Kidneys?

Chronic drug and alcohol misuse can lead to severe kidney damage or failure. The damage is not always direct; some substances may indirectly cause harm to the kidneys via biologic events triggered outside of the renal system itself. These secondary ...

... can progress to kidney failure if heroin abuse continues. 2 Cocaine Cocaine, a powerful stimulant drug that causes ... number of kidney complications, such as: 2 Sped-up progression of kidney disease in people with high ... continue reading

Drugs in the News

In a world grappling with issues of substance use and abuse, drugs are bound to see their days in the spotlight of our 24-hour news cycle. Maybe it's because of another tragic celebrity overdose, forcing us to confront the fact that even our heroes ...

... For this project we scraped the internet for news articles containing the terms “Marijuana,” “Cocaine,” “Heroin,” Meth,” “MDMA,” “Ecstasy,” “OxyContin,” and “Xanax,” from 16 of the internets top news publishers ... continue reading

30 Famous Musicians Who Have Battled Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

1. Ozzy Osbourne Rockstar Ozzy Osbourne has long struggled with addiction. In fact, his heavy alcohol and drug abuse led to him being fired from Black Sabbath in 1978. 2. Kurt Cobain Kurt Cobain got to know his wife Courtney Love while they used ...

... lifelong struggle with drugs, specifically crack cocaine and heroin. Although she did enter rehab once ... also for his cocaine and marijuana use. 22. Aaron Carter Aaron Carter was pulled over for speeding and possession of ... continue reading

Long-Term Alcohol and Drug Addiction Effects

The longer an addiction to drugs or alcohol lasts, the more stress and strain it places on an individual. There is an overwhelming number of long-term physical and emotional effects that drug abuse and addiction can have on a person. The following ...

... is not uncommon among long-time users of opioids , cocaine, and alcohol . 7 The liver . Liver failure is ... drugs that slow a person's breathing—such as heroin and prescription opioids —can cause serious complications for ... continue reading

America’s Drug Awareness

For the first time in a decade , the CDC reported that death rates in the United States have increased. While news outlets trumpet the increased violence rampant in many areas of the country, the public is largely unaware of a silent contributor - ...

... to the 2015 Drug Threat Assessment released by the DEA, prescription drug use rates are higher than those of cocaine, meth, heroin, MDMA, and PCP combined. The report notes that the U.S. markets for MDMA and PCP are ... continue reading

Effects of Bath Salts Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

Are Bath Salts Harmful? The term “bath salts” refers to a family of designer recreational drugs that contain one or more synthetic chemicals related to cathinone —a stimulant found in the khat plant with effects similar to those of amphetamine ...

... bath salts on the brain are unknown. However, these chemicals work similarly to other psychostimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, which makes it likely that the effects of bath salts on neural pathways is similar ... continue reading

The Forefathers of Modern Illicit Drugs

While illicit drugs are a major concern in today's society, many of them didn't start off as recreational. On the contrary, many started off with medicinal and anesthetic purposes. Here's a look at some of the forefathers of modern illicit drugs, ...

... and anesthetic purposes. Here's a look at some of the forefathers of modern illicit drugs, without whom heroin, cocaine, LSD, meth, and morphine would either be less popular in our culture or not even exist. Charles ... continue reading

Who Manufacturers All these Crazy Semi-Legal Designer Drugs?

Designer drugs have been subject of much media attention of late, as the Internet has made obtaining them easier than in the past. In many cases, it's simpler to order designer drugs online than to try to obtain street drugs. Designer drugs can be ...

... to try to obtain street drugs. Designer drugs can be just as dangerous if not more so than drugs like heroin, cocaine , and marijuana . Designer drugs are drugs created in a lab to mimic popular drugs. Because they are ... continue reading

Drug and Alcohol Misuse and Cancer Risk

What Causes Cancer? Despite declines in the death rate over the last 20 years, cancer continues to be one of the most prevalent public health issues in the U.S. According to the National Cancer Institute: 1 About 1,806,590 new cases of cancer would ...

... . One of these chemicals is the same carcinogen found in cigarettes and gasoline, benzene. 15 Cocaine . It is a common for cocaine dealers to add other substances to the drug to create more of the product and boost ... continue reading

A Decade of American Drug Use

In the nation's ongoing drug crisis, grim statistics abound. Each day, approximately 115 Americans die of opioid overdoses. Methamphetamine use is on the rise, reviving a scourge public health officials once thought to be improving. Simultaneously, ...

... by generation, click here ] By 2016, Americans aged 18 to 25 had been outpaced in heroin and crack cocaine consumption, however. That tragic distinction went to individuals between 26 and 34 years old. This slightly ... continue reading

Stimulant Drug Abuse: Side Effects and Addiction Treatment

Stimulants—both illicit and prescription—are known to increase energy and alertness. Prescription stimulants can offer therapeutic benefits when used as prescribed. However, both prescription and illicit stimulants have a high propensity for ...

... survey of substance use patterns among Americans aged 12 and older showed that 5.5 million people reported using cocaine within the last year. In that same time period, 4.9 million people in this same age group reported ... continue reading

Dark Web Oxy Dealer Could Get 20 Years in Prison

Frenchman Guy Vallerius - aka the “OxyMonster”- is accused of selling the illicit drugs oxycodone , cocaine, and methamphetamine over the dark web. In May, Vallerius plead guilty to charges of conspiracy and money laundering; he's facing at ...

Frenchman Guy Vallerius - aka the “OxyMonster”- is accused of selling the illicit drugs oxycodone , cocaine, and methamphetamine over the dark web. In May, Vallerius plead guilty to charges of conspiracy and money ... continue reading

Can You Get Addicted to Crystal Meth After the First Use?

What Is Crystal Meth? Crystal meth is a powerful, synthetically made stimulant. It can be ingested orally, injected intravenously , snorted , or smoked. Crystal meth is notorious for its high addictive potential, and many people suggest that taking ...

... pattern that may eventually lead to full-blown addiction. What Happens the First Time Trying ... rate of crystal meth is 12 times longer than that of cocaine , meaning that meth acts on the brain for a longer period ... continue reading

State Sentencing: How Drug Sentencing Varies Across the U.S.

The United States has 5% of the world's population - and 25% of its prisoners. The average cost to house a minimum-security prisoner for one year is $21,006. By comparison, the average cost of putting a K-12 student through school for one year is ...

... Virginia has cracked down on deadly prescription painkillers and heroin . When looking at other states that round out ... of New England, where crack sentences outnumber cocaine sentences. Though the nation may be divided ... continue reading

Drug Abuse: The Oral Health Kryptonite

It's February and we've all celebrated Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day and even President's day. So, that's basically it for February, right? Well…actually it isn't. February is also National Dental Health Month, making this a great time to promote ...

... like speed or ecstasy . They cause severe tooth decay, jaw-clenching and dry mouth. Heroin: Heroin belongs ... mouth and increases exposure to cavity-causing bacteria. Cocaine also causes users to clench and grind their ... continue reading

A Look at the Physical Anatomy of an Overdose

A drug overdose occurs when the body has been overloaded with either prescription medication or an illicit substance. Under normal circumstances, our body's metabolism would be able to detoxify the substance in order to avoid its potentially harmful ...

... common drugs are consumed. Opioids Opiates, such as heroin, and prescription pain pills like Vicodin, are ... body: the brain and the heart. The effects of cocaine and meth focus on the central nervous system, increasing the ... continue reading

Three Lethal Drug Combinations That Can Kill You

We all know that certain drugs can cause dangerous interactions when taken together, but some people either don't take the threat seriously or they're simply uninformed when it comes to specific chemicals and substances. Most Dangerous Drug ...

... . Consuming these two substances in excess increases the risk of severe respiratory depression and death. Heroin and Cocaine A lot of people mistakenly think this is a somewhat “safe” combination because the two drugs ... continue reading

30 Famous Celebrities Who Have Done Drugs and Battled Addiction and Alcoholism

1. Drew Barrymore Former child star Drew Barrymore's drug abuse in her teenage years found her controversial fame, including two trips to rehab that motivated her to get back on track with her career. 2. Mary-Kate Olsen “Full House” actress ...

... twists and turns . 12. Nicole Richie Actress Nicole Richie has struggled with numerous addictions , including heroin , cocaine , and marijuana, resulting in three arrests and five car accidents. 13. Heath Ledger The Dark ... continue reading

Effects of Drugs on the Brain: Impact of Drugs on Neurotransmitters

For many people, addiction can be difficult to understand. Understanding how drugs affect the brain can help shed some light on how a person develops an addiction. This article will discuss how various drugs affect the chemistry of the brain and ...

... illicit stimulants include: Methamphetamine (or crystal meth ). Cocaine . In the brain, dopamine is involved in ... . Well-known illicit and prescription opioids include: Heroin . Morphine . Oxycodone ( OxyContin ). Percocet ... continue reading

Heroin Overdose Symptoms, Signs, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment

How Is Heroin Consumed? Heroin is one of the most common, addictive, and lethal drugs in the world. A morphine derivative, heroin is sold illegally in the form of white or brown powder, or a sticky black substance known as “black tar heroin.” In ...

... stimulant drugs—elicit a physiologic response that somewhat opposes the effects of heroin . Because cocaine, for example, is a stimulant and heroin is a depressant, they create counteracting effects in the body and brain ... continue reading

Why Are Prescription Stimulants So Addictive?

Prescription stimulants are very prevalent pharmaceutical agents. They are frequently used for the management of narcolepsy and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Drugs that fall in this category include: Dextroamphetamine and ...

... a biochemical process, or mechanism of action , that is very similar to those of illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine . Specifically, stimulants cause a buildup in the brain and spinal cord of a group of ... continue reading

12-Step Recovery Programs and Support Groups for Addiction

12-Step recovery programs have become an integral aspect of maintaining sobriety post-addiction. 1 They usually operate on the basis of abstinence while creating a community of people who are living sober lives. 1 A 12-Step program helps establish ...

... Near You Adult Children of Alcoholics Al-Anon/Alateen Cocaine Anonymous Crystal Meth Anonymous Co-Anon Co-Dependents Anonymous Heroin Anonymous Marijuana Anonymous Nar-Anon Pills Anonymous Frequently Asked Questions ... continue reading

Instagram, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll

The Growth of Concerts and Music Festivals One of the most notable trends in music today is the growth of the music festival. As artists look to supplant revenue lost from declining sales of recorded music, music festival appearances serve as a way ...

... 149 mentions. Coming next was MDMA, or Molly, with 25,605 posts, followed by marijuana with 9,705, and cocaine with 4,779. Other mentions of general terms, such as “drugs” and “tripping,” combined to be the fourth-ranked ... continue reading

Concurrent Alcohol and Bath Salts Abuse

Bath Salts: A Dangerous Synthetic Drug Even though few people mention “bath salts” when they discuss addictive drugs, this new drug has grown astronomically in popularity over the past several years. “Bath salts” are far from the salts you ...

... that many bath salts have a 90% purity level, you can begin to grasp the toxicity of these drugs (cocaine and amphetamines often have a purity level under 50%). Another huge danger of bath salts is that no recommended ... continue reading

5 Genius Minds Who Dabbled in Drugs

For hundreds and thousands of years, human beings have experimented with drugs. Some people used illicit substances to celebrate the gods; some used drugs to “communicate” with the other side. As time went on, people began using drugs for a ...

... , describing it as his “wonder drug.” In a letter written to his fiancée, Freud said: “I expect (cocaine) will win its place in therapeutics by the side of morphine … I take very small doses of it regularly against ... continue reading

The 10 Most Insane Drug Addict Movie Characters

Insanity is a hard thing to define, but there are a number of characters in films who are definitely nuts in some way. Here's a quick rundown: 1. Francis Begbie Francis Begbie from Trainspotting was played by Robert Carlyle. A violent, intimidating ...

... drug deal. 2. Eddie Nash Eddie Nash was a cocaine trader in the film Wonderland. A kingpin of the Los ... film about the drug trade in Miami, and it's a coked-up Tony Montana who gets the insane label. Played by Al Pacino ... continue reading

Making Sense Out of the Confusing World of Ritalin

Sharon is at another meeting with her son's teacher. Aiden's teacher says he's unfocused and disruptive in class. Sharon knows her son behaves the same way at home. Last night's battle over homework fresh in her mind - and she doesn't know what to ...

... , brain hemorrhage, hair loss, growth stunting, seizures or stroke. Can My Teen Abuse It? Ritalin is similar to cocaine in its chemical make-up. In fact, it's classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a ... continue reading

DEA: Heroin ‘Probably’ More Dangerous Than Marijuana

With 23 states and Washington D.C. legalizing medical marijuana and four states legalizing it for recreational use, it's quite possible we'll see a day when marijuana is considered “legal” throughout the U.S. However, the Drug Enforcement ...

... potential for abuse and no accepted medical benefits. In other words, it's in the same category as heroin and crack cocaine . Even the staunchest anti-drug supporters have hard a time putting pot on equal footing with ... continue reading

You’re Fired: Police Departments Weaning K9’s Off Marijuana

Jobs change with technology, and work tasks evolve with those advancements. New policies and developments often put people out of work. It turns out, people aren't the only ones affected by those changes. Due to new marijuana guidelines , ...

... their dogs to search for harder drugs, like heroin, meth and cocaine. Retraining Traditionally, law enforcement agencies taught their dogs to sniff out heroin, crack, cocaine, meth and marijuana. However, there's no way ... continue reading

Is Your Friend High? Here’s How to Tell…

Your friend seems a little “off.” Is he simply having a bad day? Did he not sleep well? Is he sick? Or is he high? To the untrained observer, it can be hard to tell. But it's important to discern. Depending on the circumstances, it could affect ...

... - it might be due to the influence of drugs . For example, cocaine can cause jaw clenching/grinding, excessive talking, and paranoia. Heroin, on the other hand, can cause extreme sleepiness/nodding out, itchy nose/scalp ... continue reading

Addiction and Your Hormones: Pointing the Finger at Estrogen

Could a hormone imbalance be to blame for your chemical dependency ? The answer might surprise you. If you're a woman, chances are you're familiar with the effects of a fluctuating estrogen level. Symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression ...

... in the high-estrogen phase of her menstrual cycle and she takes a certain drug - think meth or cocaine - she feels more enjoyment. Those increased feelings of pleasure often lead women to associate the high with greater ... continue reading

Ways of Helping Someone With Drug or Alcohol Addiction

Seeking Drug Addiction Help If you have a loved one who is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it can be difficult to watch them. You may be wondering how to help them with their substance abuse issues. They might be ready to quit and ...

... path towards a sober life. Whether you are seeking help for a problem with alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, or any other addiction, recovery is possible. Symptoms of Drug or Alcohol Addiction ... continue reading

History of Drug Abuse and Addiction in the U.S. and Throughout the World

What Is the History of Substance Abuse Rehabilitation? As drugs have been abused for hundreds of years all over the world, their effects have been felt for just as long. For as long as drugs have been used, there have been those who have abused ...

... open, and these naturally became known as the Opium Wars. Cocaine was isolated in 1884 and quickly became yet another widespread drug of abuse. Heroin and other opiates were synthesized and marketed as nonaddictive ... continue reading

Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms and Treatment

Many substances of abuse can lead to the development of physiological dependence—especially if they are taken in large amounts and for a long period of time. When a person becomes dependent on a substance and then decides to stop using it, they ...

... substances, from marijuana and alcohol to stimulants such as cocaine and concerta, sedatives such as valium/diazepam, and opioids like subutex and heroin . 3 Significantly severe signs of withdrawal are associated with ... continue reading

Drug Addiction Quiz

The drug addiction quiz is designed to provide you an idea of whether a drug addiction or drug abuse problem exists. The drug addiction quiz is not perfect and the drug addiction quiz should only be seen as a guide. Take the drug addiction quiz ...

... to help determine the level of your adderall dependence and abuse. Cocaine Test A short test we've created to help determine the level of your cocaine dependence and abuse. Heroin Test A short test we've created to help ... continue reading

Are You Really Addicted to Marijuana? Is Anyone?

More Americans are becoming aware that drug addiction is a disease and not a character flaw, but many continue to find it difficult to believe that marijuana addiction is real. This could be because they experimented with weed at one point and ...

... is often associated with positive emotions. 6 The increase in dopamine also takes place for those who use heroin and cocaine. Regular marijuana use starting in adolescence led to an average loss of eight IQ points by mid ... continue reading

Facing Reality: 8 Shocking Drug and Alcohol Abuse Statistics

It's no secret that drugs and alcohol can have detrimental consequences on your mind, body, and life. They are indiscriminate in who they affect; anyone who abuses alcohol or drugs is at risk for developing an addiction. Although they are sometimes ...

... more likely to use heroin than those who don't. 1 Opioid painkillers and heroin share a very similar ... 5. It's possible to die the first time you use cocaine; consumption quadruples the risk of sudden death. 5 Sudden death ... continue reading

Are These 7 Things Really as Addictive as Drugs?

When you think about the disease of addiction, images of illicit drugs or empty whisky bottles likely come to mind. But addiction isn't limited to these substances. In fact, experts have determined that humans can become addicted to anything that ...

... a certain celebrity take things to another level with plastic surgery. Unlike a chemical addiction to heroin or cocaine, plastic surgery addiction is a mental obsession that drives people to constantly alter their bodies ... continue reading

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