Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Drug Users
cocaine is an addictive drug. It is a powerful, fast-acting stimulant that affects the normal reabsorption process of dopamine, the body’s natural pleasure and movement messenger. The buildup of dopamine causes the neurons to be stimulated. The sensation is described by users of cocaine users as euphoria.
This characteristic of cocaine is the main reason for its rampant use especially by young adults and teenagers. Despite the effort coming from different government around the world to curb its production, distribution and consumption, millions are still using cocaine worldwide. In USA alone, some 5.5 million American ages 12 and over admitted they used cocaine in 2004 while 1% admitted they used cocaine in November of 2006. Figures are even worse in other places especially in areas where police can do very little to stop the proliferation of these illegal substance.
Cocaine users are very difficult to identify when you look for them in the street. Cocaine users are no longer limited to our imagination. Cocaine users can be your local police, your nanny, your kid’s teacher, your fireman, your postman, and even your husband or wife. Luckily, cocaine use leaves behind some symptoms, both physical and emotional, to the person using it. Thus, if you suspect somebody you know whom you think uses this illegal drug, you can try observing them for some telltale signs of cocaine abuse.
The Physical Signs
Cocaine users normally exhibit changes in their physical condition especially after prolonged use. These changes in physical attributes can be brought about by the effect of cocaine in their body. If you suspect somebody is a cocaine user, look for red and bloodshot eyes. Check the pupils of their eyes if they are hyper-dilated. Frequent nosebleeds and sniffing can be brought about by ‘snorting’ cocaine. Cocaine use also represses hunger, induce nausea and chills and could result to acute weight loss and increased vulnerability to diseases and change to normal human motor activities. Cocaine abuse could increase blood pressure because it constricts blood vessels. If you know somebody that exhibit some or all of these signs, chances are they are using and abusing cocaine.
The Psychological Signs
Cocaine users also experience social, psychological and emotional changes. If you suspect someone of cocaine consumption, you should look into these changes in the individual’s interpersonal relationships particularly with his/her relationship with family, workmates, friends, and schoolmates. Change in sleeping and eating patterns should also be noted particularly when the person exhibits bursts of energy followed by long excessive sleep. Increased irritability, isolation, lying, paranoia, and auditory hallucinations also characterize cocaine users.
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