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Part 2 - StimulantsCocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamines are stimulants to the central nervous system. They are the opposite of depressants in that they speed up the body by increasing heart and respiratory rates and elevating the blood pressure. This results in feelings of alertness, high energy and insomnia. Cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamines are illegal, while some amphetamines are legal as prescription medications. They are used for treatment of obesity, narcolepsy and for children with attention deficit disorder. Nicotine and caffeine are legal drugs that have the same effect, but to a lesser extent. Like depressants, stimulants are often abused and cause as many problems as illicit drugs. Large amounts of amphetamines may be taken to feel high or they may be used in combination with other drugs to extend the effects of the other drugs.
Cocaine and CrackCocaine (called "crack" in another form) is the most popular stimulant and one of the most powerfully addictive drugs. Cocaine is usually found in white powder form, while crack is in a white to tan solid form called a rock. Cocaine is generally snorted but may be dissolved in water and injected. Crack is usually smoked, with the fumes being inhaled. Cocaine and crack stimulate the brain and nervous system. They increase the heartbeat and constrict the blood vessels. Use of cocaine or crack may cause seizures, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest or a stroke. Death by heart attack may result with any use, even first time use, for people of any age.
Powder cocaine is snorted through the nose, causing destruction to the septum and mucous membranes. Other nasal problems include congestion and a runny or bloody nose. Crack cocaine is burned and the fumes are inhaled. These fumes cause damage to the lungs. The fumes, at 400 degrees Fahrenheit when they enter the lungs, literally burn the lung tissue.
Drug dealing is an industry. Dealers have made crack cocaine more affordable, so more people use it. Cocaine costs $80 to $100 per gram, while crack costs $5 to $20 per rock. This has made crack easier to obtain. The crack user is not always the stereotypical "crackhead" street person. It can be anyone. Cocaine dependence is an expensive habit and often the addict loses everything because of his/her drug use. The typical cocaine user is well educated, employed, well paid, and yet is engaged in illegal activity to support his/her cocaine habit.
After powder cocaine is snorted, it is absorbed through the blood vessels in the mucous membranes of the nose, causing damage to the septum. It then has to travel though the bloodstream and pass through the liver, where a large part of the cocaine is filtered out. After leaving the liver, the cocaine travels to the heart. The heart then pumps the cocaine to the brain, where it produces euphoria or a "high" feeling. This entire process can take up to 20 minutes.
Crack cocaine was invented for two reasons. As mentioned earlier, crack is much more affordable than powder cocaine. The other benefit of crack cocaine is that it produces a much quicker high since it bypasses the liver's filtering process. The crack cocaine "rock" is burned and the fumes are inhaled. The crack, in smoke form, is absorbed by the capillaries in the lungs. It is directly transported to the heart, completely bypassing the liver. The heart then pumps the crack cocaine, via the bloodstream, into the brain, thus allowing crack cocaine to produce a high in about five seconds.
The high from powder cocaine can last 20 to 40 minutes. The high from crack cocaine usually lasts five to 12 minutes. Often a user will take other drugs, such as alcohol or sedatives, to level off the high, or drugs such as amphetamines to keep the high going. If no other drugs are available, the user will continue to use crack. Powder cocaine will get someone high but crack cocaine will get the person very, very high. The difference is like going to an amusement park and riding the old wooden roller coaster versus the newer, upside down/twisted version. Powder cocaine usually has been "cut" or "stepped on" with impurities, while crack is usually about 80% pure. This makes it much more addictive. It may take six months to two years for someone to get addicted to cocaine, whereas 95% of users are psychologically addicted to crack after the first use. The crack leaves an impression on the brain that makes it perpetually seek the high again, always craving it. After the cocaine leaves the brain, the user experiences a "crash," a form of withdrawal, which includes depression, irritability, and fatigue.
COCAINE
- What it is
Names:
Coke, blow, dust, "C", flake, snow, stardust, Peruvian marching powder, the devil's dandruff, white, toot, nose candy, lady Speedball - mixed with heroin
Type:
Central nervous system stimulant
Forms:
White crystalline powder. Vapor as cocaine freebase. Solution diluted in water to be injected.
Usage:
Smoked (paste and freebase lumps). Sniffed or "snorted" into mucous membranes of nose. Applied to mucous membranes. Injected into bloodstream (in a water solution). Sometimes added to tobacco or marijuana cigarettes and smoked.
What it feels like
Orgasmic "rush", then energetic, alert, with no need for food or sleep. Talkative or peaceful, self-confident, in command, quick, agitated, anxious, unhappy.
What it does
To your mind:
Stimulates rapid, intense general euphoria. Causes feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety, reduced mental clarity.
To your body:
Slows, then increases heart rate and blood pressure, constricts blood vessels, increases breathing rate and body temperature, dries mouth, dilates pupils, causes exaggerated movements, stuffy or runny nose.
Special Characteristics:
A cocaine "spree" may lead to a "crash" with severe depression, lethargy, and hunger. Freebasing results in severe burn accidents.
Signs of use
Runny nose, sniffles, excitability, rapid speech, agitation, dilated pupils.
How it can hurt you
Causes shaking, muscle twitches, seizures, severe anxiety, compulsive repetition of movements. Also paranoia, psychosis, heart-related effects, nausea and vomiting. Changes in breathing, increase in body temperature, bloody nose, cold sweat, dramatic mood swings. Hallucinations, sensation of insects crawling under skin ("coke bugs") and other continuing psychotic effects. Eating disorders such as loss of appetite, sleeping disorders such as insomnia, impaired sexual performance, destruction of nose tissue, ongoing respiratory problems, needle infections such as endocarditis, hepatitis and AIDS. Death from overdose is common, as are suicide, homicide, and fatal accidents while under the influence. Snorting can be fatal in itself. Breathing is often stopped when combined doses of cocaine and heroin are taken. Lethal doses vary by individual and are not predictable. Death by cardiac arrest or respiratory failure can occur at any age. Death may occur with first time use or unexpectedly thereafter. Mixing cocaine or crack with alcohol increases the risk of sudden death. Harm to health and development of infants born to women who use cocaine while pregnant.
Addiction and Withdrawal
Cocaine and crack cocaine are highly addictive. People who are addicted often go to great lengths to get cocaine or crack. They often continue to use despite harmful physical, financial and legal consequences. They use despite social consequences, such as problems with relationships, school or work. Users may lose everything that they have, but continue to use cocaine or crack. Withdrawal symptoms often include depression, anxiety and the inability to experience pleasure from normal activities.CRACK
- What it is
Names:
Crack, rock
Type:
Central nervous system stimulant
Form:
Dried chunk or shavings of cocaine combined with baking soda or ammonia in water. Usually white to tan pellets, chips, or chunks, or crystalline rocks that look similar to soap.
Usage:
Smoked as a vapor, usually from a pipe made from a glass tube or from a spoon. "Rocks" are burned and the fumes are inhaled. The term "crack" describes the crackling sound produced when the rocks are heated to be smoked.
What it feels like
Immediate and overwhelming high or euphoria lasting three to five minutes, followed by intense low with depression, worry, inability to concentrate.
What it does
To your mind:
Stimulates intense alertness and excitement. Causes feelings of restlessness, irritability and anxiety.
To your body:
Speeds up all systems, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, constricts blood vessels, alters breathing, increases body temperature, creates dry mouth, dilates pupils, exaggerates movements.
Special characteristics:
Increased risk of overdose due to uncontrollable, higher concentration in bloodstream. Increased risk of heart failure in otherwise healthy users. Severe breathing and lung effects. Liver damage, malnutrition, over- stimulation of all body systems, destruction of brain neurotransmitters.
Signs of use
Excitability, rapid speech, agitation, dilated pupils
How it can hurt you
Can cause shaking, muscle twitches, seizures, severe anxiety, compulsive repetition of actions with no meaning. Paranoia, aggressive or violent behavior, psychosis, heart-related effects, nausea and vomiting, changes in breathing, increase in body temperature. Cold sweat, dramatic mood swings, hallucinations, sensation of insects crawling under skin ("coke bugs") and other continuing psychotic effects. Eating and sleeping disorders, impaired sexual performance. Extreme social problems can develop from irritability, depression and financial difficulties. Dependence occurs as a psychological craving and physical withdrawal process. Unlike other drugs, intense psychological dependence is developed with even occasional, low doses. Street purchases are commonly substitute or diluted drugs. The unsuspecting buyer, having no knowledge of what he or she is actually taking or what the effects may be, is at great risk. Death from overdose, suicide, homicide or accidents while under the influence. Death by cardiac arrest or respiratory failure can occur at any age. Death may occur with first time use or unexpectedly thereafter. Mixing cocaine or crack with alcohol increases the risk of sudden death. Harm to health and development of infants born to women who use cocaine or crack cocaine while pregnant.
Addiction and Withdrawal
Cocaine and crack cocaine are highly addictive. People who are addicted often go to great lengths to get cocaine or crack. They often continue to use despite harmful physical, financial and legal consequences. They continue to use despite social consequences, such as problems with relationships, school or work. They may lose everything that they have, but continue to use cocaine or crack. Withdrawal symptoms often include depression, anxiety and the inability to experience pleasure from normal activities.AMPHETAMINES (SPEED)
- What it is
Names:
Amphetamine, speed, methamphetamine, bennies, dexies, black beauties, crystal meth, ice, crank, hearts, pep pills, uppers, wake-ups, dexies, bombs, sky rockets, Dexedrine, Ritalin, Cyclert, Preludin
Type:
Central nervous system stimulant
Forms:
Capsules or tablets of various colors Illegal except for treatment of narcolepsy, childhood behavior disorders, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. White crystalline powder. Soluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol. (Methamphetamine is freely soluble in water and alcohol.) Off-white to yellow coarse powder, crystals, and chunks.
Usage:
Swallowed as capsules or tablets. Injected as liquid, snorted as powder or smoked as a solid.
What it feels like
Rush of pleasure similar to orgasm or electric shock after injection or smoking. Milder euphoria when taken orally or intra-nasally. Tastes extremely bitter, and injection and snorting are painful. Causes reduced appetite, increased alertness, euphoria, excitement, creativity, feelings of power, increased sex drive. Restlessness, dizziness, confusion, depression, irritability, paranoia, distorted perceptions, visions.
What it does
To your mind:
Over-stimulates central nervous system. Causes headache, dizziness, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, depression, nerve cell damage. Chronic use of large amounts can cause hallucinations, delusions and paranoia.
To your body:
Increases heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure. Causes irregular heartbeat, irregular breathing. Dry mouth, foul taste, blurred vision, diarrhea. Appetite suppression, retraction of gum tissue, impotence. Increased urine output, fainting, sweating, fever, convulsions, coma, hemorrhage, muscle twitches. Loss of coordination, restlessness, nervousness.
Signs of use
Intense feelings of strength and energy, hyperactivity, insomnia, loss of appetite, dilated pupils, increased heart and respiratory rate, elevated blood pressure, increased urine output, sweating, dizziness, aggressive behavior, delusions, severe weight loss, sores on the body, gray skin tone, exaggerated body movements, dramatic mood swings, frequent anger, paranoia or depression, rapid, excited speech, decreased attention span, restlessness, anxiety, social isolation.
How it can hurt you
Chronic sleep problems, severe anxiety, nutritional deficiency, skin rash, high blood pressure. Paranoia, chronic amphetamine psychosis, decreased emotional control, severe depression. Needle-related hepatitis, infection, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Collapsed and blocked blood vessels, overwork of body systems. Chronic amphetamine use produces a psychosis that resembles schizophrenia and is characterized by paranoia, picking at the skin, and auditory and visual hallucinations. Extremely violent and erratic behavior is frequently seen among chronic users. Death from: suicide induced by depression, hallucinations, collapse of blood vessels in brain, stroke, heart failure, extreme fever, convulsions, cerebral hemorrhage, coma, violent accidents, and murders.
Addiction and Withdrawal
Amphetamines are addictive. Many users "binge" in an effort to keep the high going. User may use the drug for days continually without going to sleep to avoid "crashing." As time goes on, the high is less intense and the low, called "tweaking," gets lower. Dependence arises from tolerance and cross-tolerance, and from taking additional drugs to stop withdrawal effects, risking return of psychosis. Withdrawal is experienced as extreme fatigue followed by prolonged disturbed sleep, voracious appetite, irritability, and depression.METHAMPHETAMINES
- What it is
Names:
Crystal meth, ice, crank, glass, chalk
Type:
Central nervous system stimulant
Forms:
Ice rock form: colorless and odorless, resembles rock candy or rock salt Crank form: crystalline powder
Usage:
Ice is smoked; crank is snorted or mixed into a drink.
What it feels like
Effects or "high" can last two to 24 hours. Increased energy, false sense of invincibility, suppressed appetite, increased alertness, euphoria, excitement, creativity, feeling of power, increased sex drive. Restlessness, dizziness, confusion, depression, irritability, paranoia, distorted perceptions, visions.
What it does
To your mind:
Symptoms mimic paranoid schizophrenia, including: severe paranoia, delusion, hallucinations, repetitive behavior patterns, and impaired ability to speak coherently; confusion. Can create violent behavior and feelings of invincibility. Users have been known to commit murder or suicide while under the influence.
To your body:
Causes dilated pupils, rapid weight loss, extreme restlessness, insomnia, decreased attention span, irritability, tremors, increased blood pressure, and rapid, disconnected speech.
Signs of use
Erratic, violent behavior; extreme paranoia Intense feelings of strength and energy, hyperactivity, insomnia, loss of appetite, dilated pupils, increased heart and respiratory rate, elevated blood pressure, increased urine output, sweating, dizziness, aggressive behavior, delusions, severe weight loss, sores on the body, gray skin tone, exaggerated body movements, dramatic mood swings, frequent anger, paranoia or depression, rapid, excited speech, decreased attention span, restlessness, anxiety, social isolation.
How it can hurt you
Delusions of insects on the skin, users may scratch obsessively to get rid of the imaginary insects. Produces irregular heartbeat, seizures and convulsions, high body temperature (up to 108 degrees). Interferes with brain's transmitter system, especially the neurotransmitter dopamine; causes anorexia, cardiovascular collapse, kidney failure, strokes, heart attacks, psychological problems, death, and pulmonary edema, in which a person can drown in his/her own bodily fluids. Needle-related hepatitis, infection, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), collapsed and blocked blood vessels, overwork of body systems.
Addiction and Withdrawal
Extremely addictive. Many users "binge" in an effort to keep the high going. Person may use the drug for three to 15 days continually without going to sleep to avoid "crashing." "Crash" or withdrawal creates severe depression, apathy, long periods of sleep, disorientation, suicidal tendencies, picking at the skin, pulling out one's hair, compulsive behavior. Effects may last up to three days.
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