what are the long-term consequences associated with the use of cocaine? course hero

by Norris Hackett DDS 6 min read

Cocaine can cause many long-term heart problems by causing the heart muscles to thicken and blood pressure to spike. Cocaine causes the blood vessels to stiffen, causing the high blood pressure and because the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body, its muscles thicken.

Full Answer

What are the long-term effects of cocaine misuse?

Long-term cocaine use can lead to kidney disease, and renal failure. Cocaine Effects On The Gastrointestinal Tract Cocaine use reduces the blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to tears, and ulcers.

What are the long-term effects of cocaine injections?

“Chronic” = long-term effects of administration, related to Tolerance /Expectations / Learning ACUTE EFFECTS OF COCAINE (similar among all the “psychomotor stimulants ”) Elevation of mood; Elation; Euphoria Psychomotor stimulation: increased attention, concentration, vigilance, focus, and wakefulness; Reduced fatigue Suppression of appetite Inhibition of REM sleep …

What are the effects of cocaine on lungs?

Mar 16, 2019 · Cocaine can exacerbate long-term kidney failure in people with high blood pressure and can also cause sudden kidney failure. Nasal Passage Snorting cocaine regularly causes serious damage to the nasal passages. This includes chronic sinus problems, nosebleeds, and nasal perforation. Long-term Psychological Effects of Cocaine

Why does cocaine have different effects for different people?

The long-term side effects associated with cocaine abuse are often much more dangerous, more persistent, and more difficult to treat. These can include: Headaches Convulsions Seizures Heart disease Lung damage and breathing problems Damage to the nasal septum, nosebleeds, hoarseness of the throat, problems swallowing (when snorting)

What causes a stroke in the brain?

These damages include blood vessel narrowing in the brain, seizures, hemorrhaging or oxygen depletion that can cause a stroke in the brain, dopamine reduction, full deterioration of the brain, and movement disorders.

Can cocaine cause a nosebleed?

Nose & Throat Damage. For those who snort cocaine, the nasal cavity and throat can become permanently damaged. For the nose, these damages can include anosmia (loss sense of smell), nostril ulcers, irritation of the nose, nasopharyngeal mucosal inflammation, prolonged nosebleeds and runny nose, and nasal congestion and septum perforation.

Does cocaine cause heart problems?

Cocaine can cause many long-term heart problems by causing the heart muscles to thicken and blood pressure to spike. Cocaine causes the blood vessels to stiffen, causing the high blood pressure and because the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body, its muscles thicken. This can cause heart attack, angina, cardiac arrhythmia, ...

Does cocaine damage the brain?

Cocaine addiction can cause long-term central nervous system damage. Cocaine can also wreak havoc on the brain and leave lasting damage behind, which builds as the addict continues to use. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, long-term use of cocaine can cause permanent damage in the reward system of the brain when it stops dopamine ...

How long does cocaine last?

The immediate effects of cocaine are often described as euphoric, especially when first used. The short-term effects last between a few minutes and a few hours and include the following:

Does cocaine have a negative effect on the body?

Over time, cocaine use has increased negative side effects both physically and psychologically . Cocaine is highly addictive and repeated use can quickly lead to cocaine dependence which carries a host of negative consequences, and affects all aspects of the user’s life. These can be broken down into physical and psychological effects on the user.

How does cocaine affect long term effects?

Since people tend to develop quick tolerance to cocaine, it is possible to end up using high doses to achieve a “high.” Unfortunately the higher the dose used on a consistent basis , the greater the severity of long-term effects.

What is the brain's response to cocaine?

Cocaine functions by flooding the brain with the neurotransmitter dopamine, leading to feelings of pleasure and euphoria. Some consider the “crack” format of cocaine to be among the most addictive drugs in the world.

What are the different types of cocaine?

3. Format + Administration 1 Cocaine hydrochloride: This is a white, powdery cocaine that is often insufflated (i.e. snorted) through the nose, but can be injected. This type of cocaine cannot be snorted simply because smoking will destroy its effect. 2 Freebase cocaine: This is a type of cocaine that has been chemically altered. It is most commonly smoked and tends to make the user fee an instant “high.”#N#Crack cocaine: This is a specific subtype of freebase cocaine that is in the format of “rocks” or “crystals.” Preferred method of administration is generally via smoking. This format involves the blending of baking soda and water or ammonia and water (or both). This removes the hydrochloride from the molecule, creating a more immediate “high.”

How does cocaine get high?

When a person snorts cocaine, it needs to travel from the blood vessels in the nose to the heart, then needs to get pumped up to the lungs for oxygenation. Next the oxygenated blood makes its way back to the heart, and the heart pumps it out to the brain; resulting in the “high.”.

Does cocaine cause a stroke?

The constriction of blood vessels within the brain can lead to increased susceptibility to experiencing a stroke. There also appears to be a significant drop in the overall speed of blood flow throughout the brain with increased cocaine usage.

Does cocaine affect dopamine levels?

Dopamine levels: It is known that dopamine is involved in regulating attention, appetite, motivation, and a variety of other processes in the brain. Those that use cocaine can endure lasting changes to the levels of dopamine within the brain.

What is crack cocaine?

Crack cocaine: This is a specific subtype of freebase cocaine that is in the format of “rocks” or “crystals.”. Preferred method of administration is generally via smoking. This format involves the blending of baking soda and water or ammonia and water (or both).

What are the long term effects of cocaine?

Long-term physical side effects may impact the user’s overall ability to function and operate comfortably. Seizures, heart problems and damage to the organs are common ...

Can you relapse without help?

Without help, you could relapse, find yourself permanent suffering from side effects that may have been treatable, or you may never make the decision to get sober—and stay sober. Get help by calling today. Behavioral Treatment Approaches Used in Cocaine Addiction Treatment.

Can cocaine be reversed?

Unfortunately, though, some of the long-term physical side effects of cocaine abuse cannot be treated or otherwise cannot be reversed. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Regularly snorting cocaine… can lead to loss of sense of smell,” and this cannot usually be rectified with treatment. However, most of the physical side effects ...

Dangerous Heart Problems

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Cocaine can cause many long-term heart problems by causing the heart muscles to thicken and blood pressure to spike. Cocaine causes the blood vessels to stiffen, causing the high blood pressure and because the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body, its muscles thicken. This can cause heart attack…
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Multiple Brain Problems

  • Cocaine can also wreak havoc on the brain and leave lasting damage behind, which builds as the addict continues to use. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, long-term use of cocaine can cause permanent damage in the reward system of the brain when it stops dopamine from being recycled and it creates a buildup in the synapses or the connections between neuron…
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Nose & Throat Damage

  • For those who snort cocaine, the nasal cavity and throat can become permanently damaged. For the nose, these damages can include anosmia (loss sense of smell), nostril ulcers, irritation of the nose, nasopharyngeal mucosal inflammation, prolonged nosebleeds and runny nose, and nasal congestion and septum perforation. Damages to the throat include difficulty swallowing and a h…
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Scars, Hepatitis, HIV, and Aids

  • Snorting is not the only danger when using cocaine and injections can be just as lethal. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, addicts who use injections are at risk for hepatitis and HIV/AIDS from sharing needles or practicing unsafe sex, especially when cocaine is mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Injecting cocaine for a long period can also leave scars from the sites of …
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Factors The Influence Long-Term Effects of Cocaine

  • Before getting to the long-term effects, it is important to highlight the fact that the effects a person experiences are often subject to individual variation. Two people could be using cocaine for the same amount of time, yet one may experience different effects than the other. Factors that account for differences include: exact duration of usage, frequency of usage, the format of coca…
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Long Term Effects of Cocaine on The Brain

  • Below is a list of long-term effects that are associated with cocaine usage. Keep in mind that you may not experience all of these effects and that not all of them are well-documented in the scientific community. Also realize that individual variation will contribute significantly in determining what effects you experience. 1. Accelerated brain aging: There is some preliminary …
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Long-Term Physical Effects of Cocaine

  • Although this is a mental health website, it is important to highlight some of the long-term physical effects that have been associated with cocaine usage. Many of the physical effects are just as impairing as the mental effects. 1. Bone density decrease: You may find that using cocaine causes you to lose both muscle mass and bone density. People that use this drug often do not e…
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