The Glamorization of Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine use is on the rise, especially among affluent young people and students.  Along with an increase in cocaine consumption there has been an increase in emergency room visits and deaths due to the cocaine overdose.  Cocaine is the most common illegal drug among patients seeking emergency room treatment.  It is also the most frequent cause of illegal drug deaths.      

The Role of Celebrities in Increased Cocaine Use

While crack cocaine is recognized as a hardcore drug, powdered cocaine has an aura of glamour. According to a United Nations report, celebrities who use cocaine have played a key role in publicizing and glamorizing the use of the drug.  The latest celebrity arrested for possession of cocaine is Paris Hilton, who posed for her mug shot as if it were a modeling head shot. Although Hilton vowed in 2007 to clean up her life after serving 23 days in jail for alcohol-related reckless driving, her recent arrest shows the failure of her resolve in the face of cocaine dependency.

The use of cocaine by celebrities (like Lady Gaga) has added to the misconception that the recreational use of the drug is harmless.  A survey by the Department of Health and Human Services found that 50 percent of young people don’t believe that powdered cocaine use is associated with any risk.  They are unaware that cocaine abuse can lead to addiction and to sudden death from cardiovascular failure.

The Effects of Cocaine Abuse

What is the attraction of cocaine?  The drug is a powerful stimulant.  Its effects include increased energy, mental alertness and a reduction in fatigue.  It provides a feeling of euphoria, invincibility and confidence.  Many young people and celebrities are attracted to the drug because it allows them stay up and party.  They often combine cocaine with alcohol, prescription drugs and other illicit drugs, increasing the toxic effect of the drug.  

The national Drug Enforcement Agency has categorized cocaine as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.  This means that although it can be prescribed as a local anesthesia by a doctor, it is recognized as having a high potential for abuse when used illegally.  When cocaine is snorted, the initial high lasts from 15 to 30 minutes.  When smoked, the high may only last from 5 to 10 minutes.  In order to sustain the drug’s effect, users feel the need to repeatedly ingest it.  Abusers of cocaine are often bingers, using large amounts of the drug over a period of a few hours.

Cocaine affects both the nervous system and major organs in the body.  It increases the levels of dopamine in the brain, resulting in an increase in feelings of pleasure.  Eventually, the brain’s ability to produce a natural pleasure response is impacted.  Long-term users find it increasingly difficult to achieve the feelings of euphoria initially experienced with the drug and instead experience feelings of anxiety and irritability.  Cocaine also affects the cardiovascular system and can cause heart attacks and strokes, even in young users.  

In addition to bringing the potential for heart failure, nervous system disorders and other serious medical problems, cocaine abuse can lead to criminal prosecution, financial problems and the destruction of personal relationships.  The bottom line is that cocaine abuse is anything but glamorous.  For help with cocaine addiction, contact our treatment center by calling 866-540-5242, our treatment center is for men but we are part of a larger network of rehab centers for bother genders.