Cocaine: Origination, Usage, and Dangers

Cocaine is made from leaves of the coca plant. It's highly addictive and dangerous to the user's health. In 2014, approximately 1.5 million people ages 12 or older were current users of the drug. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-scope-cocaine-use-in-united-states

History of Cocaine
According to UptoDate an evidenced-based clinical decision tool, cocaine was extracted from the leaves of the coca plant native to Andean highlands of South America. Natives of the region chewed or brewed the leaves to make a refreshing tea or to help ease fatigue. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/cocaine-acute-intoxication?source=search_result&search=cocaine&selectedTitle=3~150
Cocaine was first used for medicinal purposes

Most often, this form of the drug is either snorted up the nose or dissolved in water and injected into the veins. Oftentimes, cocaine powder is diluted with common substances such as sugars or local anesthetics https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/drug_data_sheets/Cocaine.pdf Cocaine powder is normally chopped into a find powder with a razor blade on a hard surface, arranged into rows and inhaled quickly through the nose with a short straw or rolled dollar bill. If the powder is injected, generally, syringes, needles, spoons, belts, bandanas or surgical tubing accompanies the drug. http://www.town.princeton.ma.us/pages/princetonma_police/drug.pdf
Cocaine powder is described as “cakey” to the touch and has a medicinal taste. When tasted it may numb your tongue instantly. http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/What-Does-Cocaine-Taste-Like.html

Crack Cocaine
Cocaine can also be made into small white rocks. “Crack” is more pure and potent then the powder version of the drug. It is generally smoked alone in a glass pipe or with marijuana or tobacco products. https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/drug_data_sheets/Cocaine.pdf Crack cocaine is most often packaged in aluminum foil, plastic or paper packets or in small vials and sold in small quantities enough for two to three use. http://www.narconon.org/drug-information/cocaine-crack.html
Effect on the Body
Cocaine is highly addictive and creates an intense sense of euphoria.

This is depicted by mental and physical exhaustion, increased periods of sleep and depression. Users will generally crave the drug and want to use it again. https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/drug_data_sheets/Cocaine.pdf Users become tolerant of the drug rather quickly which causes them to take higher doses to experience that euphoric high.

Treatment
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse cocaine accounted for almost 6 percent of all admissions to drug abuse treatment programs in 2013. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-treatments-are-effective-cocaine-abusers Any treatment plans implemented should be individualized to meet the user’s needs. Generally this may include behavioral and/or pharmacological interventionshttp://addiction.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Drugs_Used_to_Fight_Cocaine_Addiction
Another treatment option is detox http://addiction.lovetoknow.com/drug-addiction-recovery/how-detox-from-cocaine

Restoring Health
Drug addiction is a complex disease that involves biological, social and environmental factors. Care and support from loved ones are crucial to restoring their health and