Cocaine EA1 Did You Know?

• There were over 1.9 million users in 2014.

• Over 14,000 people died from a cocaine overdose in 2017.

• 25% of ER drug admissions were due to or associated with cocaine abuse in 2014

National Institute of Health (NIH) Slide 2

EA1 did you know?- big bold stats remove graph (use later) word it dramatically ex. in 2013, Elizabeth Adekunle, 10/22/2018 What Do These Celebrities Have in Common? Whitney Houston’s Battle What is It?

Cocaine • Coke, blow, snow, nose candy etc.

• Powerful, addictive stimulant drug

• C‐II substance –does have medicinal benefit but is highly addictive

• Snorted, inhaled as smoke or injected into the veins How Does It Work?

• Medically used as a local anesthetic

• Cocaine produces its addictive effects by acting on the brain’s reward pathway

• Cocaine blocks the removal of dopamine in the brain

• Dopamine then accumulates in the brain to produce amplified signals, causing the euphoria

Short‐Term Effects The Dangers of Cocaine Use

• The average teenage brain is ~80% completely developed, and more sensitive to the effects of cocaine • Reduced ability to experience pleasure from naturally rewarding activities • Increased chances for impulsive, risky behaviors (drug use, alcohol abuse, unprotected sex and crime) • Obsession with seeking cocaine will blind you from relationships or other natural rewards Long Term Effects

How Does Addiction Start?

• The user builds up tolerance to the drug

• Requires higher amounts to achieve the same euphoric effects Tolerance Common Withdrawal Symptoms Physical Signs Of Addiction Behavioral Signs of Addiction Your Life Will Eventually Be Robbed By Cocaine

“You believe that coke will increase your perceptions, that it will allow you to surpass yourself, that you will be able to control things. It’s […] nonsense. After a while you don’t pay your bills anymore, you don’t wash yourself anymore, you give up your friends, your family. You will become defenseless and alone”

“I had no idea that my drug use would end up wreaking havoc on me both physically and mentally, and I had no idea that cocaine would take away my friends, my health, and my independence. Eventually, things started to spiral out of control”

How to Get Help

• There are a number of cocaine addiction treatment options: • Outpatient 12‐step programs: Narcotics Anonymous • Inpatient Rehabs • Intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization programs

If you or a loved one is seeking help for cocaine addiction call the American Addiction Centers helpline at 1‐888‐993‐3112 Questions?