Overview of Cocaine

1765 Words4 Pages

The purpose of this research paper is to inform my audience of three primary sections based on biological aspect of the addictive substance cocaine, and its addictive properties. This will include the primary effects on the brain and other organs in the human body. The second section will confer, clinical issues along with medical treatment, future directions of treatment. The third section biological aspects of the addictive substance from a biblical perspective will be discussed. Some areas of interest include freedom and caution for Christian counselor’s based on the addictive substance used. Introduction When most people think of cocaine they mainly think of this drug being very powerful and addicted, and “cocaine is found in all parts of the coca plant, comprising approximately 1% of the weight of the leaves” (Warner, 1993, p.226). Over some years cocaine has become the most abused drug across the nation especially in the 1900s. It was a popular drug at the time almost everyone was using it and with just one time self-administering the drug people were experiencing addiction-like symptoms to this drug. Cocaine Cocaine is a classified ‘Schedule II’ drug, also known as “crack”, and “coke” it is a powerful drug, and addictive stimulant well known as a psychoactive substance. That comes from a plant called coca leaf that has been around since the mid-1800s and throughout the 20th century. “In the mid-1980s, addiction to the drug was seen as exaggerated or dismissed as psychological and not addiction” (Miller, Gold, Smith, 1997, p.62). In the past, cocaine’s original use was for medical purposes as local anesthetic for surgeries. Now its usage is illegal and this drug is immersed into the body through various ways. However,... ... middle of paper ... ...072.1990.10472554 Penberthy, J. K., Ait-Daoud, N., Vaughan, M., & Fanning, T. (2010). Review of Treatment for Cocaine Dependence. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 3(1), 49-62. doi:10.2174/1874473711003010049 Scott, C. G. (2000). Ethical issues in addictions counseling. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 43(4), 209. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/213919931?accountid=12085 Smyth, N. (1994). Addictions counseling: a practical guide to counseling people with chemical and other addictions/The addiction process: effective social work approaches/Clinical work with substance-abusing clients (book). Social Work, 39(5), 616. Volkows, N. D., & Muenke, M. (2012). Human Genetics. The genetics of addiction, Vol 131(6), 773-777. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00439-012-1173-3 Warner, E. (1993). Cocaine abuse. Annals of Internal Medicine, 119(3), 226-235.

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