| Cocaine use is widespread in the United States | | | | by an overwhelming sense of paranoia or |
| and the drug is one of the most abused in the | | | | twitching. Usually, these negative side effects |
| country. As a drug, cocaine is an extremely | | | | increase with use. An overdose can often cause |
| potent nervous system stimulant. Depending on | | | | paranoid delusions, itching and sometimes |
| the strength and how it's taken, the "high" | | | | hallucinations. |
| associated with cocaine can last anywhere from | | | | One effect of cocaine is that it raises the levels |
| 20 minutes to several hours. In short, cocaine is | | | | of serotonin and dopamine in a user's brain - giving |
| very potent, very addictive and very dangerous. | | | | them a "high." Unfortunately, when the "high" |
| To learn about some of the side effects | | | | wears off, it is followed by a "crash," which if |
| associated with cocaine use, keep reading. | | | | repeated can either lead to severe depression or |
| 1. Heart Problems | | | | magnify an existing mental problem. |
| Because the drug is so effective at stimulating | | | | 3. Seizures or Strokes. |
| the nervous system, what starts as general | | | | Because of the toxicity levels of most cocaine, |
| hyperactivity and increased blood pressure soon | | | | combined with the increased heart rate, users are |
| leads to a heightened heart rate. While these | | | | at a definite risk for seizures, respiratory failure, |
| same effects cause the sense of euphoria that | | | | stroke or cerebral hemorrhaging. |
| comes from using cocaine, they can also lead to | | | | 4. Reduced Immune System. |
| heart attacks and future major heart problems. | | | | Long term use of cocaine can break down your |
| Cocaine can be especially dangerous for users | | | | immune system and increase the risk of |
| with a history of heart problems or high blood | | | | developing a number of auto-immune or |
| pressure. They are putting themselves at risk for | | | | connective tissue disorders such as vasculitis, |
| heart failure. Heart problems often lead to death, | | | | lupus, Stevens-Johnsons syndromes and |
| which is part of the reason why using cocaine is | | | | Goodpasture's disease. Use of cocaine can also |
| so dangerous - whether you have a history or | | | | lead to renal failure and kidney diseases. |
| high risk for heart problems or not, cocaine use | | | | 5. Degraded nasal cartilage. |
| can cause serious heart problems for you. | | | | Long time use of cocaine will wear down at the |
| 2. Paranoia and Depression. | | | | cartilage inside your nose, eventually causing it to |
| The euphoria caused by the initial rush that | | | | wear away completely, collapsing the nose or |
| cocaine provides is often followed by discomfort | | | | causing major respiratory problems. |
| or depression. These symptoms can be highlighted | | | | |