-
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 ...
... million people aged 12 and older with cocaine use disorders. 1 Cocaine is a powerful and short-acting stimulant drug produced from the coca plant. 2 Also known as coke, blow, and snow, cocaine is a highly addictive drug ... continue reading -
Snorting Cocaine Side Effects, Signs, Dangers, and Addiction Treatment
Cocaine is a stimulant drug with highly addictive properties that is derived from the coca plant. 1 Also known as “coke,” “snow,” and “blow,” cocaine is a white, crystal-like powder that provides a euphoric high. How Is Cocaine Taken? ...
... “coke,” “snow,” and “blow,” cocaine is a white, crystal-like powder that provides a euphoric high. How Is Cocaine Taken? Cocaine ... than heroin . Consuming drugs like cocaine mixed with fentanyl can significantly increase a ... 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 ...
... or even a few years to get addicted to cocaine. Each person's path from one line of coke to addiction, tolerance, and dependence is unique to them. As cocaine abuse continues and tolerance sets in, more of the drug will ... 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 ...
... Meetings 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 ... 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 ...
... '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 cocaine in rock crystal form. 3 Cocaine produces a rapid high due to an ... 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. ...
... both derived from the coca plant, but they are processed differently and come in different formations. Crack is created by processing cocaine and mixing it with baking soda into a smokable form that rapidly delivers an ... 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 ...
... other stimulants can significantly magnify the effects of both drugs and greatly increase your risk of overdose, organ damage, or death. 6 Mixing cocaine with alcohol is especially dangerous because they break down to ... 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, ...
... article, we will talk about cocaine addiction, how addictive cocaine is, the signs and symptoms of addiction, and cocaine's effects and withdrawal symptoms. We'll also go over mixing cocaine with other drugs , as well ... continue reading -
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms, Dangers, Detox, and Addiction Treatment
Cocaine is a stimulant drug derived from leaves of the coca plant, grown primarily in South America. 1 It is an addictive substance that produces euphoric effects and has a high potential for misuse. 1 Someone who chronically uses cocaine can build ...
... Withdrawal Timeline Stimulant withdrawal can begin within a few hours after a person's last use of cocaine and typically lasts 1-2 weeks, although this can vary from person to person based on individual factors. 5 ... continue reading -
Risks of Using Cocaine While Breastfeeding
Cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that is easily absorbed into the bloodstream. It has a high milk-to-plasma ratio, meaning a significant amount of the drug may pass from a mother's blood into her breast milk. 1 Cocaine is the ...
... that you begin a drug treatment program. Addiction treatment can help you identify the underlying causes of your cocaine use and take steps to become drug-free. There are several options when it comes to treatment ... 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 ...
... on newborn babies. In decades past, women were led to believe in exaggerated consequences related to cocaine use and pregnancy. 1 While cocaine use can lead to serious health effects, some effects may not be as severe as ... 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 ...
... than morphine. 8 It is increasingly being mixed with cocaine, usually unbeknownst to the user, because it is cheap and makes drugs like cocaine stronger, more addictive, and more dangerous; fentanyl is a major cause ... 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 ...
... primarily responsible for this drug's high potential for abuse. Abusers rapidly develop tolerance to cocaine's effects , and over time they must ingest progressively larger doses of the drug more frequently in order to ... 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 ...
... House” actress Mary-Kate Olsen suffered with anorexia and a related cocaine addiction that led her to rehab. The ... Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin was arrested for Xanax and marijuana possession during a rough patch in his ... continue reading -
Concurrent Alcohol and Xanax Abuse
Facts on Alcohol and Xanax Alprazolam (brand name Xanax) is an anxiolytic prescription medication. Xanax is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It belongs to the benzodiazepine class of drugs and is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. ...
... substances can lead to life-threatening respiratory depression and coma. Signs & Symptoms of Mixing Xanax and Alcohol There are several signs and symptoms of concurrent Xanax and alcohol abuse of which users should be ... continue reading -
Benzodiazepine Abuse Symptoms, Side Effects, and Addiction Treatment
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are commonly prescribed medications in the United States. In 2017, there were over 120 million benzodiazepine prescriptions dispensed throughout the country. 1 Benzos belong to a larger group of medications known as ...
... (Valium) . Alprazolam (Xanax) . Lorazepam (Ativan) ... cocaine and other stimulants. 1 Unfortunately, there can be serious risks associated with mixing substances, particularly when mixing benzodiazepines with alcohol and/or ... continue reading -
Snorting Xanax (Alprazolam): Side Effects & Dangers
What Does Snorting Xanax Do? Xanax (generic name: alprazolam) is a prescription sedative medication that falls into the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, which are commonly prescribed for the management of anxiety. 1,2 While taking Xanax as ...
... mixing it with other drugs and alcohol , and snorting alprazolam can lead to dangerous effects. One significant danger of snorting Xanax ... addicted to Xanax to also abuse alcohol, cocaine , and other prescription drugs ... continue reading -
Neurontin Abuse Signs, Symptoms, Side Effects, and Addiction Treatment
What Is Neurontin/Gabapentin? Neurontin is the brand name for gabapentin . Neurontin is an anticonvulsant medication. Its intended use is to treat epilepsy with partial onset seizures and nerve pain related to shingles. However, the drug is ...
... combined it with both an opioid and a muscle relaxant or anxiety medication such as Xanax . 10 There are also some ... similar to that of cocaine . All 5 inmates had a history of cocaine abuse and received Neurontin for pain ... 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 ...
... panic disorder, and certain seizure disorders. 4, 8 Some examples of benzodiazepines include: 3, 4, 8, 11 Alprazolam (Xanax) . Diazepam (Valium) . Lorazepam (Ativan) . Clonazepam (Klonopin) . Mixing benzodiazepines with ... continue reading -
Alcohol Misuse and Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
What Is Alcohol Misuse? According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), alcohol is the most commonly used and misused substance in the United States. 1 Those who misuse alcohol are not necessarily addicted or ...
... strength and predictability can be significantly affected, and even deadly. Alcohol, in particular, is dangerous to mix with ... Cocaine Crack Crystal Meth Ecstasy Heroin Inhalant Ketamine Marijuana Meth PCP Steroid Mixing ... continue reading -
Risk of Counterfeit and Laced Drugs
Results from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that approximately 27 million people aged 12 and older were current illicit drug users. This figure amounts to 1 in every 10 people having used illegal drugs in the past month. With ...
... cutting agents found in popularly abused drugs. Cocaine may contain: Lidocaine : a local anesthetic ... ordered drugs like Ambien , Xanax, Lexapro, and Ativan over the Internet and instead received powerful anti-psychotics ... continue reading -
Six Colossal Drug Abuse Meltdowns and How to Spot the Warning Signs
It's no mystery that celebrities, as well as the everyday Joe, can have problems with drugs. Because celebrities are in the limelight, though, we often see the drug abuse meltdown of famous people more prominently. The following six meltdowns were ...
... drug scene. She is known to abuse heroin , cocaine , and prescription drugs , likely accounting for her 1995 crash ... bottles of champagne that she took from the bar's kitchen, and he expected her to pay for it. According ... 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 ...
... 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 Cocaine Cocaine is a white powder with a bitter ... 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 ...
... 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 so easy to get ... 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 Adderall and ... have various cardiovascular effects, particularly when it is mixed with alcohol , which can include: 6,7 ... 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 ...
... but crack is a different form of cocaine that is created by mixing powder cocaine with a weak base, such as ... the term “crack rock.” Why do people smoke crack cocaine , and how does the drug interact with the body when it' ... 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 ...
... 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 stress. Small ... 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 ...
... in this cyclical pattern? If the latter is the problem, we can start to do hormonal replacement therapy and see if that helps.” How to Find Help for Cocaine Misuse If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to ... 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. ...
... boost Ted's mood as they build up, causing a feeling of euphoria or “high.” Repeated cocaine use alters these transmitters and tolerance quickly builds up. This means that if Ted wants to feel the same high, he has ... 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 ...
... 1980s, especially in low-income urban centers, crack cocaine is incredibly cheap and simple to make. Producers mix in water, ammonia, and baking soda with the cocaine. The resulting hardened, brownish “crystals” are then ... 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 ...
... abuse : Increased tendency towards violence. Many people arrested for violent crimes report having mixed alcohol and cocaine in the hours before their violent behavior. More incidents of risky sexual behavior than ... 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 ...
... 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 as a ... 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 ...
... of blood, no matter the frequency of use. Whether the mice received 30 days of chronic cocaine use or 2 repeated injections of the drug, Pan and his team noted a dramatic drop in blood flow speed. For the very first time ... 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 ...
... due to increased risk of cancer and kidney damage. And levamisole, the second-most-common substance in cocaine, is a veterinary pharmaceutical used to deworm livestock; when it's mixed with cocaine, it can rot the very ... 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 ...
... names include: Blow Bump C Charlie Coke Snow Toot Coca Soda Cot Street Names for Crack Crack Cocaine —The ... and Blues Tooies Yellow Jackets Yellows Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines like Xanax , Valium , Ativan , and ... 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 ...
... stimulants , such as cocaine and methamphetamine, speed up brain activity, blood pressure, and heart rate. 1,2 ... of a sudden blow to the head or an object piercing the brain through the skull. 6 Meth and TBI both cause ... 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. ...
... addicted to prescription pain medication . A mix of oxycodone and alcohol led to his May 2011 death. ... Players of All-Time” list, was once busted for cocaine and marijuana possession. 26. Lawrence Taylor One of the most ... 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 ...
... post-use. 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 ... 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 ...
... realized you have an issue, whether it's a heroin or coke addiction or a sex addiction, so you need to find ... a very high-powered job, you only want the best treatment, and you can afford to pay for it. So where would you ... 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 ...
... and dissociative effects. However, it's easy to get ketamine abuse wrong because of its potency; it's more powerful than speed or coke ... metabolites. Amphetamines should never be mixed with ketamine because they can cause ... 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 ...
... problem and prison experience to strangers. Tip 6: Cushion the Blow Chances are, your friends and ... fact, I've found the more I get up in front of a group and admit my weaknesses, the more whole I've become. Tip 8: You're ... 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 ...
... times of the year for drug-and-alcohol-related deaths are December, January, and March . Nearly 91,000 deaths have ... temporary stress but choose not to drink. They may blow off steam in other ways, such as exercise. ... 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 ...
... and precision from the Freshest Coca Leaves and the Purest Wine obtainable.” Again, mixing cocaine and ... can cause severe respiratory depression , especially when mixed with a strong concentration of alcohol. Any dose ... 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 ...
... abuse. The bar graphs state: About 37 million people over the age of 12 have used cocaine. Less than 10 million people over the age of 12 have used it. Consumption of both crack and cocaine has dropped slightly over ... 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 ...
... Heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine ... and illegal substances can cause dangerous long-term health effects. 19 Substances can be smoked by rolling cigarettes or cigars from the dried leaves of a drug or dried leaves mixed ... 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 ...
... Xanax, etc.). Cocaine + heroin. Alcohol + cocaine . Alcohol and ... and cocaine combine to create a unique and dangerous toxic compound called cocaethylene , a chemical that forms in the liver when these drugs are mixed ... continue reading -
Seized
In 2015, Border Patrol prevented more than 1.5 million pounds of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and meth from entering the United States. 1 In the same year, the Coast Guard intercepted 72 vessels and more than 150,000 pounds of drugs. 2 These ...
... at least a year or two old, with the most recent complete figures for the “big four” - marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and meth 5 - being from 2014. 6 A lot has happened since then. Seven states have passed new marijuana ... 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 ...
... 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 form—can ... 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, ...
... of cardiac arrest from a mixture of cocaine, methamphetamine, alprazolam and methadone. Cory Monteith : The Glee star died at age 31 from a mixed drug toxicity of heroin and alcohol. The young actor had entered rehab ... 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 ...
... , foggy hills of The City by the Bay. San Francisco, CA In 2013, there were 4,470 marijuana, cocaine, meth, and heroin arrests/citations in San Francisco — reflecting little change from 2012, which saw 4,326. You have to ... 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 ...
... result in a number of negative and even deadly health effects. One particular concern unique to cocaine and alcohol is cocaethylene. When a person mixes alcohol and crack, their body produces cocaethylene. Cocaethylene ... continue reading -
How to Treat Stimulant Addiction: Rehab and Stimulant Treatment Options
Stimulants are a broad class of substances that affect the nervous system in a way that leads to increased activity across a number of mental and physical processes—serving, in varying degrees, to boost energy and attention, but also capable of ...
... systems. The stimulant category encompasses both drugs that are encountered predominantly illicitly (e.g. cocaine, crystal meth) and those that are acquired legally, in the case of drugs prescribed by a medical provider ... 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 ...
... more about the effects of cocaine use , cocaine withdrawal , and cocaine overdose symptoms . What Is ... recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. What Is Xanax? Xanax is the name brand of the generic drug alprazolam ... 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 ...
... related to illicit drug use such as heroin and cocaine. #4 Cocaine Cocaine has a reputation as a “rich man's ... treat anxiety and sleep disorders. Brand names you may have hard include Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and Valium. ... 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 ...
... by chewing the coca leaf, by snorting the powder into the nose, by injection, by inhalation, and even by suppository. Cocaine is a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, which is one reason why it is very ... 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 ...
... per year to house male inmates who cite a meth problem, and 75% of offenders who admit a problem say meth is their drug of choice. Crack cocaine is a mixed bag, with fairly high prevalence in some states - including ... 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 ...
... to get there. While most people use one or perhaps two drugs, King used cocaine, Xanax , Valium , NyQuil, beer, tobacco, and marijuana to get him through the day. His family eventually staged an intervention, dumping ... 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 ...
... sold as Xanax or Xanax ER. While this assessment does not replace a clinical diagnosis from a professional, it can be helpful in recognizing the signs and symptoms of potential alprazolam misuse. Cocaine Addiction Self ... 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 ...
... and anxious, and may crave to use again. 6 Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines , such as Valium and Xanax ... levels and become less sensitive to dopamine, and more and more cocaine is needed to produce the same effects and ... 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, ...
... review by the independent Cochrane Collaboration is mixed: Chantix was better than Wellbutrin but not ... resources has gone to experimental vaccines against nicotine and cocaine, and numerous agents have made it as far as ... 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 ...
... increased energy, has been shown to cause kidney complications in acute and chronic users. Much like heroin, rhabdomyolysis is commonly seen in those who abuse cocaine, and it can lead to kidney failure. 2 As many as 33 ... 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 ...
... of mixing Suboxone with other substances. How Suboxone Works A combination of the drugs buprenorphine and naloxone, ... and even death. Cocaine: By counteracting the effects of the other, combining Suboxone and cocaine ... 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 ...
... or heroin , but prescription pills like Adderall or Vicodin can also be crushed and snorted. 2 People might also dissolve cocaine in water and snort it using a straw, which is sometimes called an inhaler, bullet, or ... 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 ...
... 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. Over 188,000 news ... 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 ...
... incense and potpourri mixes, their popularity increased rapidly, and websites marketing and selling synthetic ... they mimic. Just as methamphetamine and cocaine can produce dependence and addiction in individuals who abuse ... 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” ...
... or poet is a minefield. Robert Louis Stevenson In just six days, Stevenson wrote 60,000 words. The reason was cocaine , and he wasn't well at the time. Of course, the drug mentioned in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll ... 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 ...
... to approach anyone while at a bar or club. To overcome this inhibition, he snorts cocaine before going out with his friends. ... exactly in the condition to have deep conversations and get to know someone. If you're using ... 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 ...
... processes such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. 1 Some common stimulants include: ADHD medications (amphetamine, methylphenidate). Cocaine/crack cocaine. Methamphetamine (including crystal meth). Signs of ... continue reading -
Effects of Stimulant Drugs: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment
What Are Stimulants Used For? Stimulants are a class of substances that increase certain types of cell signaling and amplify various physiologic processes throughout the brain and body. In particular, many types of stimulant drugs are associated ...
... medications, such as Adderall ( amphetamine & dextroamphetamine ) and Ritalin ( methylphenidate ). Methamphetamine (including crystal meth ). Cocaine (including crack cocaine ). Depending on the drug, stimulants can be ... 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 ...
... use can lead to fertility problems in men. 8 Men who use marijuana and cocaine may experience changes in hormone levels that can affect sperm movement and lead to infertility. Anabolic steroids also pose a danger to male ... 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 ...
... during this time, believing that a small number of drinks will be safe. Cocaine and Pregnancy Tracking the negative effects of cocaine use during pregnancy is a difficult task. This may be more difficult because women ... 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 -
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 - ...
... like Vicodin, OxyContin, and Ultram) and tranquilizers (like Valium, Klonopin, and Xanax) are easy or ... who chose each option, PCP, LSD, heroin, crack cocaine, and MDMA are thought to be among the most difficult to ... 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 ...
... her sad life story. 6. Anthony Kiedis Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers turned to cocaine and heroin when he was young. However, when his bandmate died of a heroin overdose in 1988, Kiedis swore he would never ... 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 ...
... Xanax) to cope with their symptoms. Another person could have a long-standing pattern of drug abuse and consequently develop anxiety problems. Many substances, particularly stimulants like cocaine ... , cocaine, and alcohol ... 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, ...
... 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 Romley Alder Wright ... 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 ...
... When it comes to gender differences, 1.7 times more men than women said they had used cocaine at least once before, and for crack cocaine, twice as many men said they'd tried it. Heroin, although it has one of the lowest ... 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 ...
... physical and psychological effects and, in many, precipitate a pattern that may eventually lead to full-blown ... period of time . Also, while crystal meth and cocaine both block the reabsorption of dopamine (reuptake), only ... 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 ...
... (SUD). 1,2,3 A 2019 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 ... 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 ...
... dangerous if not more so than drugs like heroin, cocaine , and marijuana . Designer drugs are drugs created in a lab ... s no guarantee that there aren't dangerous compounds mixed in with the drug. ecstasy is a synthetic drug ... continue reading -
Wellbutrin Side Effects, Symptoms of Abuse, and Addiction Treatment
What Is Wellbutrin Used For? Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Aplenzin, Zyban) is a drug that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder, as well as to help people stop smoking. 1 Doctors ...
... about 48,000 pills in 2013. Multiple anecdotal cases have been published in which individuals report cocaine-like effects and euphoria from abusing bupropion. 2 Teen Wellbutrin Abuse The first published medical report of ... 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 ...
... of methamphetamine. 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 ... 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 ...
... [Hover over the bars below to expose the % of sentences for each substance] [Hover over the bars above to expose ... up drugs and how prevalent they were in each state. In most states around the country, cocaine sentences are ... 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 ...
... , cocaine, and methamphetamine over the dark web. In May, Vallerius plead guilty to charges of conspiracy and money ... the passwords to his devices - cell phone, iPad, and laptop - as part of a routine inspection at the ... continue reading -
Zoloft Use in Substance Abuse Treatment
What Is Zoloft Used For? Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) is a commonly prescribed antidepressant that belongs to a group of drugs called selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs work by boosting the activity of the ...
... about your rehab options. You deserve the best care possible, and we can help you get started on the road to recovery. Zoloft and Cocaine Addiction Treatment While research on the use of antidepressants during withdrawal ... 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, ...
... as well. Among these were drug scourges that have incited public outcry in decades past, such as crack cocaine and methamphetamine . The public also used PCP at substantially lower rates in 2016 than in 2004, a very ... 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 ...
... reasons. For example, use of this drug causes severe dry mouth and increases exposure to cavity-causing bacteria. Cocaine also causes users to clench and grind their teeth, wearing down the surface enamel. So what's ... 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 ...
... areas of the body: the brain and the heart. The effects of cocaine and meth focus on the central nervous ... to the chemicals that are used to produce meth, a toxic mix can cause an overdose in a first-time or long-time ... 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 ...
... , and vice versa. That means that drugs like Xanax , ... and Cocaine A lot of people mistakenly think this is a somewhat “safe” combination because the two drugs “cancel each other out” (think mixing alcohol with cocaine ... continue reading -
Treatment for LSD Abuse: How to Treat LSD Addiction
Psychoactive substances, by definition, change the way people think and feel. Hallucinogens do this in a unique way, by altering the way that humans sense and perceive the world—making false visual, auditory, and tactile sensations seem real. One ...
... of time. While LSD won't induce powerful physical cravings in the same way that drugs like heroin and cocaine will, the effects can become so desirable for the user that they continue to use it despite mounting negative ... continue reading -
Is Fentanyl Abuse More Deadly Than Heroin?
Fentanyl, a drug previously unheard of by many, has become notorious in recent years due to the spike in overdose deaths from heroin laced with the potent prescription narcotic. It gained even more notoriety when the April 2016 death of iconic ...
... of people who died from an overdose of fentanyl additionally tested positive for heroin or cocaine, compared to 42% between 2013 and 2014—a concerning uptick that may reflect an increase in the widespread availability of ... 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 ...
... CDC, and it includes illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin, and legal drugs, such as prescription and OTC ... other states for a relatively long time (as the green bar of cells extending to 2007 shows), but then saw a ... 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 ...
... , 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 neurotransmitters called monoamines , especially ... 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 ...
... Celebrate Recovery: 12-Step program centered around Christ and Christianity. Cocaine Anonymous: Recovery program targeted towards people struggling with cocaine misuse . Crystal Meth Anonymous: Recovery program targeted ... 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 ...
... and blue lines) on the right Y-axis and the difference between the religious and nonreligious rates (purple bars ... 2 years). The biggest difference is seen in crack cocaine and heroin: On, average, believers who try these ... 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 ...
... on the central nervous system, increasing the chances of respiratory failure, coma, and death. Other substances—like cocaine and other stimulant drugs—elicit a physiologic response that somewhat opposes the effects of ... 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 ...
... also more likely to seek out treatment for prescription painkillers and stimulants. Urban addicts, however, primary abuse traditional street drugs like heroin and cocaine. Around 21.8 percent of city addicts say heroin ... 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 ...
... festival for both. The weeklong Nevada event was also the top festival for posting about crack cocaine , DMT, and mescaline. Here, we look at the top 10 festivals for substance-related Instagram posts in two categories ... 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 ...
... legislated by the Controlled Substances Act. Mixing Alcohol and Bath Salts Bath salts are often combined ... can begin to grasp the toxicity of these drugs (cocaine and amphetamines often have a purity level under 50%). ... continue reading
DrugAbuse.com is a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers (AAC). We are here to help you understand your addiction treatment options