Dangers of Cocaine
A drug is any substance, other than food, that changes the structure or function of the body. Some drugs, such as cocaine and heroin are so powerful their possession is illegal. Among the most powerful drugs, however, are the ones that cause changes in the nervous system, especially to the brain and the synapses between neurons.
Cocaine causes the sudden release in the brain of a neutrotransmitter called dopamine. Normally, this compound is released when a basic need, such as hunger and thirst is fulfilled. By fooling the brain into releasing dopamine, cocaine produces intense feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. So much dopamine is released when the drug is used that the supply of dopamine is depleted when the drug wears off. Users quickly discover that they feel sad and depressed without the drug. The psychological independence that cocaine produces is difficult to break.
Cocaine also acts as a powerful stimulant, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. The stimulation can be so powerful that the heart is damaged. Sometimes, even a first time user may experience a heart attack after using cocaine.
Crack is a particularly potent and dangerous form of cocaine. Crack becomes addictive after only a few doses. The intense “high” produced by crack wears off quickly and leaves the brain with too little dopamine. As a result, the user suddenly feels sad and depressed, and quickly seeks another dose of the drug.
In time, the urge to seek this drug can be so strong that it leads users to commit serious crimes and to abandon their families and children.
Cocaine has been proven to increase the risk of miscarriage when used early in pregnancy. I may also cause stillbirth or premature birth. Cocaine use may cause the unborn child to have a stroke that results in brain damage, a heart attack, serious birth defects, or even die. Babies exposed to cocaine tend to have a low birth weight, smaller heads than other newborns, and a risk of seizures and (SIDS) suden infant death syndrome. SIDS is the sudden infant death of a baby under one year of age with no clear cause.
Babies exposed to cocaine may also have tremors, exaggerated startle response, irritability, sleep and feeding difficulties, and developmental delay all of which may persist into the early school years. Many experts believe that the long term effects of prenatal addiction can be severe. Many of these children have a multitude of learning and behaviour difficulties.
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