Cocaine has become predominantly common in India, with the rise in India’s economy cocaine has become easy to buy and holds itself as a status symbol amongst people. It is mostly consumed as a party drug as it revs up a person and makes them talkative, energetic and gives them a feeling of intense pleasure and speeds up body functions.
As a street drug, cocaine looks like a fine white powder and nowadays it is being tampered with, as drug dealers are often mixing it with cornstarch talcum powder or flour to increase profits. It may also be combined with other drugs such as amphetamine or synthetic opioids causing dangerous levels of addiction and the rising number of overdose deaths. Drug rehabilitation centres all over India have seen more and more cases of cocaine addiction now compared to recent years. Cocaine is consumed through:
- Snorting: People snort the powder through their nose
- Rubbing: People rub the powder into their gums
- Injecting: It can be dissolved and injected into their bloodstream
- Smoking: The powder is processed and made into a rock crystal, and the crystal is heated to produce vapours that are inhaled into the lungs. It is usually known as crack cocaine.
Why are people addicted to cocaine? What does it do to the brain? Cocaine increases the level of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is related to the reward-motivator aspect of the brain. To put it simply it creates pleasure in the mind which motivates the person to chase the pleasure by doing more and more of the drug. Hence people who are addicted to cocaine usually binge on it by doing it over and over again in increasing levels of quantity to increase the level of dopamine being released in the brain. Cocaine abusers usually revolve their life around the drug, and since it is expensive, they end up spending a lot of money on the drug. They fall into an extreme high and an intense low cycle. While on the drug they are invincible but when the drug wears off, they become fatigued, agitated and plagued by cravings.
Rehabilitation centres for drug addicts have been able to point out the symptoms of cocaine addiction recently. These symptoms are easy to see in a person who is on the drug or even when the drug is wearing out of their systems. The symptoms are – Extreme happiness and energy, mental alertness, hypersensitivity to sight sound and touch, Irritability Paranoia Extreme and unreasonably distrust of others, Euphoria with a rush of Rapid energy heartbeat.
Our rehabilitation centre in Pune and Mumbai has allowed us to see the signs and symptoms of cocaine users after use. If you see any of these in a friend or loved one, it may be he is abusing cocaine and needs treatment immediately. Here are some signs and symptoms: Dilated Pupils, Hyperactivity and excessive talking, Weight loss, Runny or bloody nose, Needle marks, Irritability and anxiety, Changes in eating habits and sleep patterns.
Treatment for cocaine addiction is difficult without professional help from Drug Rehabilitation Centers. Most people who are using the drug also use other substances which create disorders like bipolar and depression. These disorders are addressed during the treatment of the drug. Rehabs in India are known to provide plans tailored to each person’s specific needs and will also help the addict maintain sobriety after rehab. Quitting cocaine is very difficult without help from drug rehabilitation centres as it has intense withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing in a medically supervised setting in which it is made sure that the patient is safe and receives immediate medical attention if the withdrawal symptoms are too uncomfortable.
If this article relates to you or a loved one, then get yourself or that person immediate help as cocaine is known to cause an overdose that ultimately leads to death. Cocaine is harmful and using the drug creates long terms side effects on the body. We at ZORBACARE urge you to help yourself or your loved one suffering from substance abuse.
Call us at +918669567929 to get a new chance at life. Our experienced team of medical practitioners will be of service to take you on the beautiful path of recovery and sobriety.
Credits: Salva Kazi (Content Writer)