What is cocaine addiction & dependence?
Dependence on cocaine means that you have a strong emotional, psychological, and physical need to take the drug. You might take more of the drug over longer periods than you intended. Using cocaine may interfere with the rest of your life. Cocaine is a drug made from the leaves of the coca plant, which grows in South America. It is a stimulant, which means it causes talkativeness, increased breathing and heart rate, increased energy, and sleeplessness. In very high doses, it can cause heart attacks and seizures. Crack, a less expensive form of cocaine that is smoked rather than snorted, has helped make cocaine abuse a widespread problem. Some people are more sensitive than others to cocaine. A small amount of the drug can kill people sensitive to it. Pregnant women using cocaine are at high risk of miscarriage. Babies born to cocaine-dependent mothers are addicted at birth. The infants are jittery and don’t respond well to people. Moreover, they have to go through the painful process o
