Presently the most abused major stimulant in America, as well as the drug most frequently involved in ER visits, cocaine addiction in West Palm Beach (as well as other areas in the United States), is a growing problem.
Popularity of cocaine dates as far back as 1859 and even then was characterized as a powerfully addictive stimulant. Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of a coca plant. It stimulates the central nervous system and acts as both an appetite and topical anesthetic. One common myth regarding cocaine and its addictiveness is that it is not addictive based on the lack of physical withdrawal symptoms seen in other abused drugs, such as alcohol or heroin. Cocaine does however have extremely powerful psychological addictive properties.
Regardless of how it is ingested, be it injection, smoking or snorting – all three methods can lead to addiction as well as other health problems. Cocaine abuse has an assortment of negative effects on the body, including, but not limited to: an increase in body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, constricted blood vessels and dilated pupils.
Research shows lab animals tested have the ability to become compulsive cocaine users and those animals studied will work more persistently at pressing a bar for cocaine than for any other drug, including opiates.
Those who abuse cocaine tend to have an immediate craving after their high ends as the high tends to be short-lived. As a result, an individual will partake in prolonged, multi-dose binges. Binges often cause the individual to become extremely irritable, restless or anxious and, in some cases, experience severe paranoia.
Thankfully, there is help. There are many inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment centers throughout Florida as well as detox centers. The Delray Center for Healing is here for you if you, or a loved one, is seeking help.
