Cocaine Addiction and Its Affect

Cocaine addiction is a serious problem in American society. It is serious because it can lead to permanent bodily damage � even death.

The effects can vary depending upon the person suffering. All of the effects, however, fall in to one of two categories:
short-term or long-term.

A person who uses cocaine just once is capable of experiencing the short-term effects of cocaine. Some of the short-term effects include dilated pupils, decreased appetite and increased temperature. Other short-term effects are increased mental alertness, increased heart rate, and increased energy.

People who think they will try cocaine �just once� often fall prey to cocaine because they enjoy some of these short-term effects, such as increased energy and mental alertness. This boost of energy helps the user feel as if he can be more productive in life and at work, which leads to an increased tolerance of cocaine, and ultimately leads to cocaine addiction.

People looking to lose weight also sometimes experiment with cocaine because of the short-term effect of appetite suppression. It is possible for a cocaine user to go days without eating. Unfortunately, using cocaine for this purpose can also lead to cocaine addiction and other health problems.

A suffer will begin exhibiting the long-term effects of cocaine after abusing it for an extended amount of time. Extensive use, results in a tolerance to cocaine, which forces the user to use more in order to reach the same high. Therefore, the long-term effects of cocaine can include respiratory failure, heart disease, stroke, heart attack, gastrointestinal problems, seizure and coma. Less severe long-term effects include blurred vision, nausea, convulsions, fever, chest pain, and muscle spasms.

In addition to the physical affects, cocaine can lead to psychological problems, such as irritability, restlessness, auditory hallucinations, paranoia, and mood disturbances. Cocaine addiction also can have a negative effect on relationships, when undesirable behaviors, such as stealing, lying, and cheating, crop up as the sufferer attempts to support their need for cocaine.

Cocaine can also lead to financial ruin when all of the sufferers money is spent on getting the next high. Or, when the addict is fired from his job for poor performance or excessive absenteeism � both related to the cocaine.

Cocaine is destructive in a variety of ways. Therefore, the best choice is to never try cocaine � not even once.